Is a Ghic/Ehic healthcard suitable as health insurance for time spent in France?

Reader Question: I do not want to pay for extra travel insurance but have a Ghic card. Is this enough to spend time on a holiday in France this summer?

If you are planning to spend time in France or anywhere else in Europe, a Ghic card (or an Ehic for those still eligible) is the most important item for your health cover, but it does not provide comprehensive medical insurance. 

For short-stay visitors from the UK, a Ghic/Ehic is listed by France as the essential requirement.

However, these cards provide only medically necessary health treatment on the same basis that citizens of the country you are in receive. 

Such a card allows the holder to access this treatment at the same cost as that of a citizen – in France however, not all of these costs are fully covered by the state. 

Read more: Ceam or Ghic: Which health card is right for Britons in France?

As France runs on a combined public/private insurance scheme, the Ghic will only cover the state-reimbursed portion of the treatment or appointment, for example 70% of a doctor visit. 

The remaining 30% is paid out of pocket, or in most cases (for residents of France) by a top-up insurance (mutuelle) covering the person, that they have either taken out privately or is subsidised for by their employer.

The UK Government lists a number of costs Ghics may not cover in France, including: 

• changes to travel and accommodation bookings

• additional standard costs for treatment

• medical repatriation to the UK

• treatment that is ruled non-urgent

• private healthcare

• private clinics

Many of these can be covered by private insurance. 

Stays in a French hospital also incur other fees that are not covered by state healthcare.

Read more: How hospital charges work in France and what is and is not covered by the state

Health insurance: required vs advised

It is therefore not mandatory to be covered by a health insurance when travelling to France, but it is strongly advised, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions.

There are many kinds of travel insurance policy with a healthcare element, which you can compare online before choosing one before you travel.

Britons applying for a VLS-TS or other kind of temporary visa (for no more than six months) to stay in France need to show they have either a Ghic or Ehic card, and this is accepted proof of medical coverage. 

Americans and other non EU/EEA/Swiss nationalities may be required to show they have medical insurance covering costs up to €30,000 as part of the application process. 

Britons applying for a visa of longer than six months will also need to show they have comprehensive medical insurance.

Read more: What documents do I need for a visa application to travel to France?

For those planning to move to France permanently, medical insurance is in some cases required as part of the visa process, to cover them until they can sign up to France’s state insurance programme – many also choose to cover remaining costs with a mutuelle once they are enrolled. 

Read more: How can newcomers to France register for public health insurance?