What are your rights to French social protection (once abroad)?
As soon as you expatriate to a foreign country or settle outside French territory for a period of more than 6 months, you are no longer covered by the French social security system, but by the local system of your country of residence. However, you can continue to contribute to a French system (so that you can enjoy your pension in France at a later date) by joining the CFE (Caisse des Français à l’étranger), a private organization with a public service mission, which offers universal health cover accessible to all, based on the same principle as the French insurance system. However, you should be aware that CFE offers a minimum level of coverage, with rates defined according to the legislation and rates in force in your country. In addition, subscribing to the CFE means you pay contributions both in France and in your host country (since subscription is compulsory).
What are your healthcare rights in your new host country?
As an expatriate and/or resident abroad, your healthcare rights depend on both your status and your new host country. When you work or live abroad for more than 6 months, you are obliged to join the insurance scheme of the country you are in. This will cover you if you need to see a doctor, if you need to be hospitalized, or if you stop working or have an accident.
Leaving for a member country of the European Union
If you are leaving France for an EU member state, you simply need to apply to your Caisse Primaire d’Assurance for a transfer of social protection, in particular by completing form E104. This will entitle you to maternity and death benefits in your new country.
Leaving for a country outside the EU
If you are leaving France for a country outside the EU, you have two options:
- either your new host country has signed a bilateral social security agreement with France, in which case it’s easier to transfer your healthcare rights. Find out more on the CLEISS ( Centre de liaisons européennes et internationales de sécurité sociale ) website.
- or the country in question has not signed an agreement with France. In this case, we advise you to visit the CLEISS website to check whether you are eligible for local health insurance, and to find out how to register and what steps to take.
Don’t hesitate to ask your employer and/or company (if you’re working) about the local social security system, or about the possibility of taking out private insurance.
Resident or expatriate: are you well covered?
Some countries offer excellent, universal and affordable health coverage. This is the case in many European countries. Others have a good social security system… but low reimbursements and/or high healthcare costs, which even a CFE subscription cannot cover. To find out about the system in place in your new host country, we recommend that you consult the Cleiss website before you leave. Even once you’re there. To find out if you’re properly covered, you can check the cost of routine healthcare (medical consultations, hospitalization, pharmacy fees) and the reimbursement scale offered by the local social security system. We advise you not to wait until you fall ill before checking the coverage and reimbursement levels on offer, because depending on your destination, you could end up with a hefty bill. To supplement the reimbursements offered by both the local social security system and/or the CFE, you also have the option of taking out international and/or expatriate health insurance. This is the best way to benefit from quality care in a public or private establishment, without paying astronomical sums. To find out more, visit Santexpat.fr. Depending on your country of destination and your situation, our team of experts will find you the best deals on the market, so you’re sure to be well covered when you go abroad
