What is a French attestation des droits? Is it necessary to have one?
Schools and nurseries often ask parents to provide this document
The document can also be used if your carte Vitale is lost or stolen
Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock
Reader Question: My children are enrolling at a nearby nursery and I have been asked to provide an attestation des droits. I am not sure what this is, or where I can find one
If you are registered with the Assurance Maladie (the French healthcare system), you will have a carte Vitale, which contains all of your healthcare information.
Read more: How to get a social security number and carte Vitale in France
In many cases, your carte Vitale is enough to prove your healthcare rights – and those of your beneficiaries (such as your children) – but in some situations additional proof is required, via an attestation des droits.
This document, which is provided by the Assurance Maladie, proves that you and your children are covered by the French system.
It has no date of expiry.
When can it be used?
It is often used as a temporary measure to prove you are covered by the state when you have lost your carte Vitale or it has been stolen, allowing you to continue to receive healthcare whilst you wait for a replacement.
However, some nurseries (crèches) and schools will ask parents to provide an attestation des droits to prove a child is attached to an adult’s healthcare regime when enrolling, making sure they can receive care in the case of an emergency.
This is usually done on a one-off basis, and the document does not need to be provided each year.
How can I obtain one?
You can obtain an attestation des droits via your online Ameli health account, through the ‘Mes démarches’ (my demands) button.
Alternatively, you can call Assurance Maladie on 3646 (or the English language number 09 76 77 36 46), or go to your local Caisse primaire d'assurance maladie (Cpam) centre in-person to ask for one.
There is no cost to obtain the document, but calls are charged.
These rules only apply for people on the ‘general’ healthcare regime (i.e those with typical coverage through Assurance Maladie).
Others who are covered by a different regime, such as some public servants or farmers under the Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA), you can contact your employer directly to find out how to obtain a document.
