Whether you’re traveling or expatriating, going abroad means you need to be well prepared to protect your health. Taking out international health insurance is recommended to guarantee that your healthcare costs will be covered, whatever your destination. This coverage gives you peace of mind in the face of unforeseen medical circumstances, whether minor or major. Several options are available, depending on your situation: the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for stays in the European Union, membership of the Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE) to maintain a link with the French system, or private international health insurance, ideal for comprehensive, tailored coverage. Here’s an overview of these solutions to help you make the best choice.
Why take out international health insurance?
International health insurance is essential for any long-term trip abroad or expatriation. In fact, once you’ve been abroad for 3 months or more, and are working on foreign soil, French health insurance no longer covers you. You are no longer eligible for social security. And for stays of less than three months, you’ll have to pay medical expenses in advance… with no guarantee of reimbursement. In fact, reimbursement is only possible under certain conditions (urgent and unforeseen care, request made via a certain form, presentation of proof of payment and invoices).
What’s more, the way the healthcare system works differs from country to country, and few countries offer a system as advantageous and protective as the French one. In some countries, you’ll have to pay considerable sums for treatment.
To ensure you’re covered in the event of an accident, emergency or need for medical care abroad, we recommend you take out international insurance.
3 solutions for international health insurance
Apply for a European Health Insurance Card
When you travel to a country in the European Union, the European Economic Area, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) makes it easier to have your medical care covered. It certifies your entitlement to French health insurance and entitles you to coverage in accordance with the legislation in force in the country of residence. However, it is important to note that the EHIC does not cover all health expenses, and does not replace travel insurance, particularly for services such as repatriation or civil liability.
To apply for an EHIC, simply contact your health insurance fund 15 days before your departure, either by telephone (36 46), by logging on to your Ameli account, or by going directly to your health insurance fund.
Note: if your departure is imminent, you can request a provisional certificate. EHIC health insurance is individual and nominative. If you need healthcare abroad, simply present your card to benefit from your rights (and reimbursements). Whether or not you need to make an advance payment depends on the country and the system in force.
Subscribe to Caisse des Français à l’étranger
The Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE) is a private organization with a public service mission, offering social protection to French nationals living abroad. It is accessible to all types of insured. However, CFE reimbursements are based on the cost of care in France, which may not be sufficient in countries where medical costs are higher, such as the USA or Canada. What’s more, CFE does not cover certain services, such as repatriation assistance. To compensate for these limitations, you can take out supplementary insurance with private partners to obtain more comprehensive coverage tailored to your country of residence.
You should be aware, however, that coverage is limited. In particular, reimbursement rates are set on the basis of healthcare rates in France. So, depending on your country of destination, reimbursements may not be sufficient (e.g. Australia, USA, Canada), with the non-reimbursed portion remaining the responsibility of the insured… It should also be noted that CFE does not offer repatriation assistance. The advantage, however, is that CFE allows you to remain affiliated to the French social security system.
To qualify, you’ll need to pay contributions, the amount of which depends on your age, professional and family situation (couple, family or solo).
Taking out international health insurance
Many companies offer international health insurance policies tailored to your specific needs. These generally include coverage for medical expenses, whether for consultations or hospitalization, repatriation assistance in the event of medical necessity, and third-party liability coverage. Some offers may also include additional options, such as reimbursement in the event of lost or stolen luggage, or guarantees in the event of changes to your travel plans. It’s essential to compare the different offers to choose the one that best suits your situation and destination, taking into account local healthcare costs and any insurance requirements imposed by the destination country.
These insurances offer the best reimbursement rates, whatever your destination. They offer comprehensive health coverage, and cover healthcare costs from the first euro spent (hence the name “first-euro insurance”).
Insurance contracts are flexible and offer a wide range of cover: from basic health care to hospitalization, repatriation assistance or insurance against lost or stolen luggage. It’s up to you to choose the cover you need.
Note: if you’re an expatriate, your employer may cover your health insurance. We advise you to find out what your company has to offer before you leave.
How do you choose the solution that’s right for you?
As we said before, private insurance policies are flexible: you can adapt the offers and coverage limits to suit your needs. So, when choosing your insurance, the most important thing is to find the package and cover you need, with attractive ceilings. The duration of the contract and the people covered by it are other elements that help you make your decision. Finally, we recommend that you find out about reimbursement conditions and check contract exclusions.
Note: It’s important to note that some countries require specific health insurance coverage or a minimum level of cover in order to obtain a visa or residence permit. For example, countries such as Tanzania (notably Zanzibar) and Saudi Arabia have recently introduced compulsory insurance requirements for travelers. What’s more, with the introduction of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the UK scheduled for 2025, insurance conditions may be required. It is therefore essential to find out about the requirements of the destination country before taking out insurance, to ensure that it meets the criteria imposed.
International health insurance prices
The cost of international health insurance varies according to a number of criteria: the destination, the age of the insured, the length of stay, the cover chosen (hospitalization, routine medical care, repatriation, etc.) and any additional options such as dental or optical cover. For example, for basic coverage including hospitalization and routine medical care, prices can start from 30 to 50 euros per month for a student or young traveler. On the other hand, for destinations where medical costs are particularly high, such as the USA or Canada, or for premium cover including extended benefits, costs can rise to between 150 and 500 euros per month, depending on age and needs. It’s advisable to compare offers to find the best value for money, taking care to choose insurance that covers the specifics of your destination country and any unforeseen circumstances.
Given the rapid evolution of international health regulations, it is advisable to consult experts to choose the insurance best suited to your situation. Specialized platforms, such as Santexpat.fr, can help you compare available offers and select the insurance organization best suited to your specific needs, taking into account your destination, the length of your stay and local health coverage requirements.
