Moving to France: how does a retiree apply for a health card?

Reader Question: What do I need to do to obtain a carte Vitale now I have moved to France? I am not sure about the pre-requisites. Does it make a difference that I am retired and do not have a salary?

To apply for a carte Vitale (French state healthcare card) you do not need a French tax number nor provide income details, but you do need a social security number.

Therefore, you must apply for this before you can lodge an application for a carte Vitale.

You apply for a social security number by sending this form to your local Caisse primaire d’assurance maladie (Cpam, healthcare services). 

You can use an online search to find your local Cpam office, which is usually located in larger cities in a department. 

You can send the form off by post or otherwise drop the form off manually. 

The documents you need to obtain a social security number are listed on the form and include proof of your residency in France – spending the majority of your time in France makes you eligible for a social security number, not your income details. 

If you are having trouble, you can contact Assurance Maladie, either by phone or email, or by going to your local office to make an appointment.

There is an English-language phone number at 09 76 77 36 46, and the general French number is 3646. The services are open Monday to Friday, between 08:30 and 17:30.

Read more: Telecom firms, utilities: which offer English language services in France?

Use your social security number 

Once you have your social security number (or the temporary number you are given when applying for one), you can apply for a carte Vitale. 

To do so, you need to create an account on the Ameli website (Assurance maladie en ligne, the online portal for the state healthcare services). 

Follow the instructions to make your account, and then once you are logged in, go to mon compte [my account] > mes démarches [my procedures], > ma carte Vitale [my carte Vitale] > commander ma carte Vitale [order my carte Vitale].

You will need to declare the beneficiary (yourself), then follow the instructions to order your card, including attaching a passport-style photograph and copy of your passport.

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

The latter need to be saved on your computer as .jpg or PDF files. For the photo it is best to have a photographer take it, or take it in an official booth (which can be found in places such as large train stations and shopping centres) and scan it. It must have a blank, pale background and your face needs to be clearly visible.

You can also order the card through the Ameli app, if you have a smartphone. Alternatively, you may be sent a paper form once receiving your social security card to set up your carte Vitale, but you should ignore this if you have made the request online.

Note that, as a retiree you may have an S1 form, affecting which state pays for your healthcare needs.