If you plan to study in France, you have to know what to expect. An illness can occur at any time during your stay so, it is important to anticipate and be ready for it. To pursue serenely your study project, affiliation to social security is mandatory. In addition to the significant coverage, it also allows you to be reimbursed for your medical appointments, as well as for the purchase of certain medications. As a foreign student in France, here is everything you need to know about social security!
What is Social Security?
It is a French public aid that partially reimburses health costs: appointments with a doctor, dentist, hospitalization…With very few exceptions, all students on French territory must subscribe to a student social security scheme. You have to pay attention to the difference between social security and a mutual/complementary health insurance. The first is compulsory social security coverage, the benefits of which are the same as that of the general scheme. It allows partial reimbursement of up to 70% (based on sector 1 prices explained below) of the medical costs. As for the second, it allows a better reimbursement, sometimes up to 100% (based on real fees spent). It is strongly recommended but is not mandatory.
Get free social security coverage
Following the implementation of a law on student guidance and success, a reform of the student social protection system allows students in France to have good health coverage for free. To do this, you need to follow some important steps.
The Social Security card
The vital card (Carte Vitale) is a social security card and you obtain it on the last steps of the process (around 6 months after application). It is strongly recommended to update it once a year (you can do it in any pharmacy or using the terminals available in the health insurance funds nearest to you). Whenever you consult a health professional, remember to present it (some doctors may not accept it and you will have to ask for the refund by post). On average, in 5 days, the reimbursement will take place. The reimbursed amount is paid into your bank account up to 70% of the costs paid as the case may be. Sometimes you don’t advance the social security fees thanks to this card and only pay for the 30% remaining.
In some public places such as hospitals or laboratory, you can pay anything (if you have a mutual) because they also accept to take it in consideration immediately.
The attending physician
In order to benefit from this advantage, you must respect the care protocol, in particular the choice of a treating doctor. Indeed, from the age of 16, there is a possibility of declaring an attending physician to have a better reimbursement. You can choose your specialist doctor or general practitioner practicing in your city of study or residence, and even in the hospital. That said, an attending physician remains a privileged interlocutor, hence the interest in choosing one who can meet your expectations and needs for consistent medical follow-up. In the event that you do not declare your attending physician, you will be less well reimbursed by the health insurance organization.
The doctor sectors: 1 and 2
In France, you can benefit from decent health coverage, which is important, especially when you’re a student. To avoid excess costs during your consultation, you should go to doctors (practitioners) approved by Sector 1. In fact, they charge fixed prices based on the government list, and do not exceed fees. For example, you will pay € 25 during a consultation and you will be reimbursed at 70%. As for sector 2, there are doctors with free setting fees, they practice the prices they want.
For Example, sector 1 prices:
| Doctor consulted | Example of Price | Amount reimbursed | Amount in your charge |
| Generalist | 25 euros | 16,50 euros | 8,50 euros |
| Specialist | 25 euros | 16,50 euros | 8,50 euros |
| Psychiatrist or neurologist | 41,70 euros | 28,19 euros | 13,51 euros |
Doctors in sector 2 are allowed to set their fees freely, but the Social Security reimburses you the same amount as it would for a doctor in sector 1. The sum that leaves your pocket is thus more important.
For example, sector 2 prices :
| Doctor consulted | Example of Price | Amount reimbursed | Amount in your charge |
| Generalist | 45 euros | 16,50 euros | 29,90 euros |
| Specialist | 55 euros | 16,50 euros | 38,50 euros |
| Psychiatrist or neurologist | 60 euros | 26,30 euros | 33,70 euros |
Check here how to apply to the French social security.
How does Feel Français help you?
Feel Francais will create your accounts and upload your documents because so many students do it wrongly and their account can be closed. In this case, they need to apply directly at the CPAM branch of their district which makes the process so much more difficult because you can’t track your file online.
Feel Français will track your file until you get your Carte Vitale, book your appointments when you are sick and deal with your refund too!
The + of our offer
Feel Francais offers you private health insurance and mutual for a year, so you are perfectly covered, in some of our packages.
Watch this video to discover more about our platform Feel Français:
