Private international health insurance in France

Our international outpatient insurance provides access to a broad range of healthcare treatments that don’t require admission to a hospital. For example, you can get:

• Consultations with specialists, in-person or online
• Vendajes y fármacos con prescripción
• Radiology and diagnostic tests
• Rehabilitación ambulatoria
• Cover for hearing aids

This medical insurance add-on covers emergency healthcare and assistance. It could help if there’s a global crisis, or to evacuate you if local treatment can’t help. It can give you:

• Emergency transport to good hospitals.
• Repatriation if you experience a serious medical event
• Crisis response services following travel or security risks
• Help with compassionate travel and living costs
• Travel costs for people who accompany you

Boost your health with insurance for screening, tests and dietetic consultations. There’s also a mental health support program for expats as well.

• Support from wellness coaches
• Access to preventative cancer screenings
• Emotional support from counselors
• Non-symptomatic, routine physical examinations each year
• Transport to a specialist center

Get eye tests and help with the cost of eyewear, plus a wide range of preventative, and routine dental treatments:

• Cover for dental appointments
• Preventative, routine, and major dental treatments
• Routine eye exams
• Support with costs for glasses and lenses

Hospitals: There are more than 2.900 in France [*Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)].

Healthcare ranking: 14^th out of 195 countries (Global Health Security Index)

Useful drug names: Paracetamol and ibuprofen are known as paracétamol and ibuprofène in France. You can only buy these in pharmacies. You may find branded paracetamol treatments such as Calpol for children and Doliprane for adults. Nurofen is the most popular branded ibuprofen.

Emergency services number (while in France): 112

Cigna claim number (while in France): +44 (0)1475 492119

If you have a medical emergency in France, call 112 and request an ambulance. If you’re referred to a medical provider or hospital, try to contact your insurance as soon as possible.

The emergency services in France are called SAMU (service d'assistance médicale d'urgence). For urgent treatment in the hospital, look for the emergency room (urgences).

Depending on the terms of your policy, you may receive cover for accident and emergency treatment costs with your expat health insurance in France.

The cost of health insurance in France can depend on your insurance plan, and your provider. At Cigna, we offer various plans to suit your needs and budget. Choose from our tiered international insurance plans ranging from Silver, Gold and Platinum, each with different annual benefits. Plus, you can add optional modules to supplement your cover.

Hospital charges can depend on your where you go and what’s required. Private hospital rooms can cost around €60 for public hospitals, and €100 for private clinics, usually charged per night. The exact cost will vary depending on the procedure, department and hospital.

Tourists can receive medical attention in France, but they may have to pay upfront or claim back on their insurance. If you’re staying in France for a few months, short-term health insurance can cover you for a range of treatments and care.

You’ll need proof of access to care before you can get treatment from state healthcare at hospitals in France. Proof can include:

• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for EU-residents traveling to France
• UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for UK residents traveling or temporarily working in France
• Proof of insurance coverage in general.

As a French resident, you’ll need a Vitale Card (carte Vitale) to access state healthcare.