In France, basic health insurance for students is free and compulsory. It is run by the Assurance Maladie, whose website is called Ameli. Registering takes about 20 minutes online, and it is one of the first things to do once you are enrolled, because it gives you a social security number and lower medical costs.
In short
- Cost: free.
- Where: etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr, after you are enrolled in a French higher-education institution.
- EU, EEA and Swiss students with a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) do not need to register.
- After registering: open your Ameli account, choose a regular doctor (médecin traitant) and request your Carte Vitale.
- Basic cover is partial. A top-up insurance (mutuelle) covers most of the rest.
Do you need to register?
| You are… | What to do |
|---|---|
| A non-EU student enrolled in a French institution | Register on etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr |
| An EU, EEA or Swiss student with a valid EHIC | No registration needed. Keep your EHIC valid for your whole stay. |
| An EU, EEA or Swiss student without an EHIC | Register on etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr |
| A student from Quebec | Ask your home health fund for form SE 401-Q-106 or SE 401-Q-102 bis before leaving |
How to register, step by step
- Get your enrolment certificate (certificat de scolarité) from your school or university.
- Go to etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr and fill in your personal details.
- Upload your documents (see the checklist below).
- Download your provisional certificate. You receive a provisional social security number first, then a permanent one.
- Open your Ameli account to follow reimbursements and download certificates.
- Declare a médecin traitant (regular GP). Without one, you are reimbursed much less.
- Request your Carte Vitale from your Ameli account once you have your permanent number.
Documents checklist
- Passport or national ID card
- Enrolment certificate for the current academic year
- Birth certificate or another civil status document
- Valid visa or residence permit (non-EU students)
- Bank details (IBAN/RIB) to receive reimbursements. No account yet? See how to open a bank account in France.
How much you get back: a GP visit example
Here is what the Assurance Maladie reimburses for a standard visit to a general practitioner (GP) in mainland France who follows the official rates (“sector 1”).
| With a declared médecin traitant | Without one | |
|---|---|---|
| Price of the visit | €30 | €30 |
| Reimbursed by Assurance Maladie | €19 | €8.40 |
| Left for you or your mutuelle | €11 | €21.60 |
The lesson: declaring a médecin traitant more than doubles what you get back for a simple GP visit. Ask the first GP you see if they accept to be your médecin traitant; they can declare it online.
Do you need a mutuelle?
A mutuelle (or complémentaire santé) is a private top-up insurance that pays part or all of what the Assurance Maladie does not. It is not compulsory for students, but without one a hospital stay, dental care or glasses can be expensive.
If your resources are low, you may be eligible for the Complémentaire santé solidaire, a free or low-cost public top-up. Check the conditions on ameli.fr before paying for a private plan.
Editor’s guide
What to compare before choosing a mutuelle
- The monthly price and whether you can cancel easily
- Cover for hospital stays, the most expensive risk
- Cover for dental care and glasses or contact lenses
- Any waiting period before you are covered
- Whether the insurer pays providers directly (tiers payant) so you do not advance costs
- Support in English if you need it
Frequently asked questions
Is French student health insurance really free?
Yes. Registration with the Assurance Maladie is free for students. You only pay for a mutuelle if you choose to take one.
Can I see a doctor before I get my Carte Vitale?
Yes. You usually pay the doctor, who gives you a paper care form (feuille de soins) to send to the Assurance Maladie, and you are reimbursed afterwards. Once you have your Carte Vitale, reimbursement is faster.
I am from the EU. Should I register anyway?
If you have a valid EHIC, you do not need to. Your care is covered under the conditions of your home country. If your EHIC expires during your studies, renew it or register on the student platform.
Who can I call for help in English?
The Assurance Maladie phone line 36 46 (free service plus the cost of the call) offers help in English on weekdays.
What to do next
- Need a French RIB for reimbursements? How to open a bank account in France as a student.
- Renting a place? Check whether you can still get CAF housing aid (APL) in 2026.
- Browse all healthcare guides.
Sources
- Ameli, The French social security registration process for foreign students, consulted 26 September 2026
- Ameli, Consultations en métropole : vos remboursements, updated January 2026
- Ameli, La participation forfaitaire de 2 €, updated January 2026
- Étudiant.gouv.fr, Social security: your medical expenditure coverage, consulted 26 September 2026
