Non-European patients seeking medical treatment in France
As a foreigner from a non-European country seeking medical treatment in France, how can you proceed?
Several countries have established bilateral agreements with France, allowing their citizens to receive medical care and financial assistance. Notably, these agreements include nations such as Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. For patients from Europe, there are other agreements.
Receiving treatment in France as an Algerian citizen
The bilateral agreement between France and Algeria offers several options for Algerian nationals residing in Algeria. This applies to patients who are either covered by the Algerian social security system or those who are uninsured and in need.
Medical care and health insurance
Under this agreement, Algerian citizens can travel to France for necessary medical treatment that is not available in Algeria. To do this, you must contact the National Social Insurance Fund (CNAS) in Algeria. CNAS can grant authorisation for treatment in France after coordinating with the chosen healthcare provider in France. You will be issued form SE 252-301, which acts as a "certificate of entitlement to healthcare." The French healthcare system will then cover the planned medical services. Family members of eligible individuals can also benefit from this arrangement.
Carefully review inter-country agreements
France has established several bilateral agreements with other countries regarding social security and healthcare costs. Some of these agreements are comprehensive, such as those with Algeria. Others are more limited. For instance, the agreements between France and Morocco apply only to French nationals residing in Morocco. The same applies to Tunisia.
Andorra, Monaco, former Yugoslav countries, Quebec
Citizens of Andorra can approach their social security services to obtain permission for treatment in France, as can citizens of Monaco. Similar agreements exist between France and Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as North Macedonia. In Quebec, these arrangements are also in place, subject to specific conditions.
What if there is no agreement between countries?
Individuals seeking treatment in France without an existing bilateral agreement should contact their own social security or health insurance system. They may have provisions for planned care abroad, including France. If such arrangements are not available, you will need to cover the full costs yourself and demonstrate financial solvency to the chosen healthcare provider.
Resident card and permit (permis de séjour) for french medical care
France offers a residence permit known as “private and family life card” for those needing medical treatment. This can be granted based on several conditions: being a non-European foreigner, residing in France illegally, requiring urgent care unavailable in your home country, and not posing a threat to public order. This permit also applies to parents of a sick minor who need to accompany their child to France. You should contact your local prefecture for more information. However, this permit does not guarantee financial support for medical care, which may need to be covered by social security or an agreement between France and the individual's home country.
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FAQ
How to provide care for a foreign patient?
There are various ways to provide care for a foreign patient in France. For reimbursement, if the patient is from a European country that has an agreement with French social security, they must possess a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This applies to countries in the European Union, the European Economic Area (Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland), and Switzerland. Post-Brexit agreements offer British nationals similar coverage through the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
S2 (not S1) forms, EHIC...
For planned care, European nationals, including British citizens, can seek approval from their home country's health fund and obtain an S2 form for scheduled treatments.
If the patients are from a non-European country, they need to verify if their home country or its social security system has an agreement with France. If no such agreement exists, the patients must prove their ability to pay the full cost of their medical care.
Can a foreigner receive treatment in France from govt healthcare?
Yes, a foreigner can receive medical treatment in France. They must ensure they can be reimbursed for their care, either by holding a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for European nationals or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for British nationals.
For planned treatments, European nationals (including British citizens) must obtain approval from their social security system and get an S2 form. This form allows them to receive medical care in France with the approval of their home country's health fund, so they can expect :
For non-European foreigners, it is essential to check if there is an agreement between your country and France that ensures your healthcare costs will be covered. Individuals in an irregular situation can apply for assistance under the State Medical Aid (Aide Médicale d’État) program.
What health protection is available to foreigners? Health costs
Foreigners can benefit from a social security system in their country. They can possibly take out medical insurance. They must also check that their social security or health insurance, or even their personal means, allow them to cover the health costs incurred by providing treatment in France. Europeans can thus benefit from the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the S2 form in the event of access to scheduled care. Foreign nationals can benefit from bilateral agreements, if they exist.
State medical aid (aide médicale d’Etat) : what is it ?
State Medical Aid, or AME, allows foreign nationals in an irregular situation residing in France to access healthcare services. To qualify, you must have lived in France for over three months and meet certain income requirements. Applications are submitted to the primary health insurance fund. If there is no response within two months, the application is considered refused. AME provides 100% coverage for hospital and community medical care.
This aid is available to both individuals and their dependents. The approval is granted for a period of 12 months. If a request is denied, there is a provision for free appeals to be made within two months.
What system allows access to care for foreigners in an irregular situation?
State medical aid (aide médicale d’Etat) is intended for foreigners residing in France irregularly.
Article écrit le 03/07/2024, vérifié par Pierre Luton, Expert journalist, specialized in health and social news and SEO referencing.