Health

20,000 volunteers sought for lung cancer screening in France

Being a heavy smoker or ex-smoker is among the criteria for the life-saving programme

A view of an Urgences hospital sign in France

Why doctor waits are rising in France and where delays are worst

Waiting lists to see specialists are growing, survey shows

Where in France you are most likely to see a viper

This year is looking similar to last when it comes to the snakes’ presence

news

Measles cases rise by 80% in France

People are urged to get vaccinated as their best protection against the illness

France hantavirus update: contact cases continue to test negative

‘Nothing suggests variant is more dangerous or transmissible’ says health minister

Mercury in canned tuna: what the tests show in France

The testing was part of a campaign launched by well-known brand Petit Navire

‘Good and bad places to swim’: 2026 French beach water quality map released by environmental group

More than one in five beaches are classed as either ‘discouraged’ or ‘avoid’ in annual ranking

A view of a banner saying 'looking for a GP' in France

France doctor numbers rise again but medical deserts persist, report finds

Projections by the Conseil national de l’Ordre des médecins suggest that the upward trend will continue over the coming decade

A view of a French hospital emergency entrance

Hantavirus in France: close contact case pretransmission ruled out

Health Minister says all 26 contact patients tested negative

FFP2 mask demand jumps fivefold in France after hantavirus case

One patient remains in intensive care and 26 contact cases in confinement

France to examine bill to reduce cadmium exposure

The move follows warnings from France’s health authorities that food is the main source of contamination

Cruise ship VB Englishman with a tug alongside on the sea off Portsmouth.

Bordeaux cruise ship confinement lifted as norovirus outbreak confirmed

No link found between death of British passenger, 92, and virus

Person holding a wrapped Bertinet Saint-Nectaire cheese wheel in a cellar of ageing cheeses

Eating unpasteurised cheeses can lead to longer, healthier life, French study finds

Raw-milk cheeses found to reduce inflammation

Two hantavirus contact cases in isolation at Bordeaux hospital

Authorities hopeful that virus has not mutated, easing pandemic fears

Does 100% health coverage in France really cover everything?

You may still have additional costs despite receiving 'full' coverage from Assurance Maladie

Consultation,With,A,Cosmetologist.,Contour,Plastic.,High,Quality,Photo

Mobile clinic eases dermatology ‘desert’ in France

As well as offering consultations, the vehicle also allows doctors to perform procedures such as biopsies and cryotherapy

Two dogs die after drinking from lake in south-east France

The dogs died in under an hour, others have fallen ill

Nurse in blue gloves injecting vaccine into a seated patient’s upper arm

France’s 2026 Covid vaccination campaign to begin: who it targets and why

Spring vaccination aims to protect most vulnerable over summer months

Bedbugs: French authority warns against banned insecticide

The product is still circulating despite being linked to four recent deaths

My French health journey: no-pain knee replacement took 90 minutes

Graham Barton, 68, moved from the UK to Brittany in 2018, and discovered soon afterwards that he required surgery to replace his joint. He explains what the process involves in France

France to cover the cost of cadmium exposure testing

Under new rules the cost of screening for exposure to the carcinogenic metal will be covered by health insurance

Tiger mosquitoes: Local authorities in France on alert

Anti-mosquito campaigns aim to raise awareness of how to avoid the insects and the diseases they can carry

Email shock following visit to French health clinic

After returning home from a cancer check, reader received a message that her social security number was needed

A view of a French healthcare charges summary letter

Insurers stand by 'illegal' French health fee rises

Health insurers defend top-up fee rises despite law freezing them

Long-distance runner's inspiring fitness journey in France

Sarah Cameron transformed her life through running in the French countryside, achieving remarkable success in marathons and ultra-marathons while representing Team GB

New map shows where ticks are prevalent in France

People spending time outdoors are advised to ‘be prepared’ against the disease-carrying parasites

Strepsils, Olbas Oil, TCP: Find French equivalents to common remedies

Moving to France means navigating pharmacies and hunting down alternatives to treat everyday ailments

Does France now accept UK health qualifications for doctors to work in France?

Brexit led to the ending of cross-recognition of many qualifications

What we know about meningitis death in Normandy

Officials say there is no confirmed link to UK cases

Is French flour usually fortified with iron?

Rules are different from those in other countries such as UK and US

Meningitis case in France linked to University of Kent outbreak

The infected person is a student at the university. At least two people have died in the UK outbreak

People in France not sleeping enough, says study

France’s lack of sleep has consequences for national health, and is similar to UK and US levels

Hospital,,Holding,Hands,And,Doctor,With,Couple,For,Consulting,,Wellness

IVF treatment in France made me discover strength I never knew I had

One in 25 of all births in the country result from fertility treatment

A view of someone filling a glass of water from the tap

No drinking water in French communes due to ‘forever chemicals’

A local environmental group has requested a judicial investigation

France health insurance emails change format from April 1

State insurer Assurance Maladie updates email format and warns residents to stay alert to scams

French court ruling may open way for cases against wind turbines

Tests on claimant's house found high levels of 'infrasound' that could not be stopped by home insulation

When can you seek a second medical opinion in France?

Some mutuelles include cover for a specific service related to this

Did you know? Injured skiers can get special SNCF train in France

The dedicated carriages have more space, time, and assistance for injured passengers

Doctors’ records hit by cyberattack: up to 15 million patients in France affected

Information about sexual orientation, infidelity, and assaults taken alongside administrative data

MPs pass end-of-life bill in France – what does it contain?

The aim is to create new legislation on the right to die

Paris opens first integrated diabetes care centre in Europe

Diabet' hub is revolutionising diabetes care, simplifying treatment for patients

Hospital fees set to increase in France: how will patients be affected?

Fees for overnight hospital stays and emergency room visits among those set to rise as part of plans to save €400 million from social security spending

E-cigarettes pose health risks, warns France’s health watchdog

The devices have “possible medium- and long-term” health effects, the warning says

Blurred,Background,Of,A,Hospital,Interior,With,Medical,Equipment,And

French MPs vote in favour of renewed recognition of UK medical degrees

Post-Brexit rules mean UK degree holders have been limited in their ability to work in France

Death after sex on work trip classified as workplace accident under French labour law

Judges said: “To have sexual relations is part of everyday life, like taking a shower or having a meal.”

‘Medical deserts’ major issue in upcoming local elections in France

Access to healthcare is now a more pressing concern than education, mayors say

A view of a man sitting in a clinic with a nurse writing on a clipboard

How to save money on seeing a specialist doctor in France

Some specialists charge more than others for the same service

Thermal cure funding confirmed in France for 2026

Cure thermale is a prescribed medical treatment using fresh spring water in an approved centre

Female,Doctor,Using,Computer,And,Listening,To,Senior,Patient,Describing

Is new healthcare fee for Americans still on the way in France?

Last year French MP told how he put forward plan aimed at ‘visitor visa’ holders

I had a heart attack in France without realising it

An evening with friends took an unexpected turn for 74-year-old

How France’s new food strategy aims to change the national diet

The plan outlines new goals for meat consumption

Man and woman sit on a sofa facing a health professional

France launches fertility plan as birth rate falls below deaths

Government plans to send a letter to all 29-year-olds

Flu epidemic still widespread in France, but pressure on health services eases

Winter infections pass their peak, latest data shows

Health mutuelles banned from raising rates in 2026 – what to do if yours does

Ban comes despite top-up providers warning that costs would rise again this year

French MPs support making hospital parking free

Bill requires approval by the Senate before becoming law

French GPs angry at proposed fines over online paperwork

Law will see fines of up to €10,000 a year from 2028 if admin for the dossier médical partagé is not completed

Vaccination campaign against flu in France is extended

It comes as all regions are at epidemic level and a new ‘super’ strain of the virus is spreading

My health journey: I had emergency op for appendix tumour in France

Vivion Gibbs, 73, who moved to Brittany from the UK in 2011, describes how lower back pain quickly escalated into something far more serious

People are living longer in better health in France, official new data shows

The expected healthspan of people in France has increased by almost two years since 2008

France’s end-of-life law under debate as conditions examined

The text centres on the definition of and access to ‘medical assistance in dying’

Nestlé baby formula recall: French authorities criticised over response time

One infant died after drinking the formula although no causal link has officially been identified

Medic administers a vaccine to the arm of a patient with a syringe

How France plans to tackle health disinformation

Online campaigns and new watchdogs amid strategy, but ‘scores’ for information and sanctions ruled out for now

French doctor strike will intensify, warns union

GP activity nationwide was down 19% last week according to electronic healthcare data

Flu epidemic in France: how long will it last?

Hospitals remain under pressure although signs emerge that the peak may have passed

French study claims ‘Dry January’ participation improves sleep and health

First major study of its kind in France praises challenge, but alcohol-free month is yet to receive official endorsement

When my husband dies will I lose access to healthcare in France through his S1?

Settled residents in France can access healthcare through 'Puma' system

French doctors begin 10-day strike: most GP surgeries expected to close

Patients needing care should turn to pharmacies, on-call doctors, or emergency wards

A view of a pharmacist holding two types of medication

Can I ask for branded medicine instead of generic at a French pharmacy?

Non-brand drugs are generally cheaper but contain similar ingredients

Which medical appointments will see higher fees in France in 2026?

We look at specialists affected and how reimbursement for patients will work for new tariffs

Health and medicine: What's new in France in 2026

Changes include a new minimal fee for certain foreign residents and the development of the France Santé health centre network

How to lower the amount you pay for insurance in France

‘Big three’ insurances all set to see costs rise in 2026

Peak in flu cases in France expected in January

Pressure on hospitals is expected to intensify after the holiday period

New healthcare fee in France: more retirees set to face charge

New wording brings extra people into scope of fee originally aimed especially at American retirees

French anaesthetist jailed for life for poisoning 30 patients, 12 fatally

Doctor tampered with infusion drips before procedures to tarnish reputation of other doctors and prove himself a saviour

Is insurance from a GHIC health card sufficient for visiting second home in France?

Health cards provide ‘medically necessary’ coverage