Canada has a universal, free health care system, funded by the provincial and territorial governments. This system covers medical care provided by doctors, hospitals, clinics and laboratories.
Permanent residents of Canada, Canadian citizens and persons with valid temporary resident status are eligible for health insurance. Eligibility requirements vary from one province or territory to another.
Health insurance registration procedure
The procedure for registering for health insurance varies from one province or territory to another. In general, you must complete a registration form and provide the required documents, such as :
- Proof of identity
- Proof of residence
- Proof of status in Canada
The documents required may differ depending on your situation. For example, international students must provide proof of admission to a Canadian educational institution. Temporary workers must provide proof of employment in Canada.
Required documents
The documents required to register for health insurance vary from one province or territory to another. In general, the following documents are required:
- Proof of identity: passport, identity card, driver’s license
- Proof of residence: electricity, gas or telephone bill, tax notice
- Proof of Canadian status: permanent resident card, Canadian citizenship certificate, valid work permit
Processing times
Processing times for health insurance applications vary from one province or territory to another. In general, it takes a few weeks to receive your health insurance card.
Special cases
International students
International students are generally eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance, but are usually required to pay a registration fee. Eligibility requirements and fees vary from one province or territory to another. As a French student in Canada, these terms and conditions are specific to the province or territory of the school attended. You should contact the school or university concerned to familiarize yourself with the regulations in force for foreign students in that region. In provinces or territories that do not offer free health care to international students, private health insurance is mandatory to guarantee adequate medical coverage during your studies or internship.
Temporary workers
Temporary workers may be eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance, but they usually have to pay a registration fee. Eligibility requirements and fees vary from one province or territory to another.
Temporary residence
People staying in Canada temporarily, for example for tourism or study, are generally not eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance. They can take out private health insurance to cover their medical expenses.
Travelers and PVTists
Travelers to Canada for short periods, such as vacations or business trips, are generally not eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance. French nationals on a WHP (Working Holiday Program) in Canada are also not eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance. As part of a WHP, it is necessary to take out private health, hospitalization and repatriation insurance before departure. This insurance is compulsory, as it is a condition for obtaining a residence permit. As such, PVT travelers are responsible for ensuring adequate medical coverage for the duration of their stay in Canada.
French retirees in Canada
Retired French nationals in Canada, although not covered by provincial or territorial health insurance, can take out private health insurance. This is essential to guarantee reimbursement for health care received in Canada. By opting for private health insurance tailored to their needs, French retirees can ensure their peace of mind and access to quality medical care during their stay in Canada.
Additional information about health insurance in Canada
Health insurance costs
Health insurance costs vary from one province or territory to another. In general, permanent residents and Canadian citizens pay annual premiums. Temporary workers and international students may also be required to pay fees.
Medical care and coverage limits
Coverage limits for provincial or territorial health insurance may vary, and it’s important to understand that these plans have certain restrictions.
For example, there may be limits on the number of days of hospitalization and on the amount of expenses reimbursed. It is crucial to note that health insurance in Canada, particularly the local plan available to permanent residents, offers extensive coverage. It includes routine care, general practitioner and specialist consultations, as well as basic hospital services such as ward accommodation, meals, care, surgery and partial coverage of drugs. However, some benefits, such as out-of-hospital optical and dental care, are not included. To make up for these shortcomings and obtain more comprehensive coverage, it is advisable to consider taking out private health insurance, which can cover these specific aspects not included in provincial or territorial health insurance. Some prescription drugs are also not reimbursed.
Private health insurance
For more comprehensive coverage, private health insurance in Canada is essential. This expatriation insurance is designed to cover expenses not covered by provincial or territorial health insurance, such as dental care, eye care, prescription drugs and other medical care received privately. It also extends to crucial aspects such as hospitalization, routine care and repatriation, an often costly operation that should never be neglected when living far from one’s country of origin. Taking out expatriation insurance gives you the flexibility to add extra cover to suit your individual needs, such as personal liability, baggage protection, identity document protection, legal assistance and air ticket protection. It is strongly recommended that you take out international insurance prior to your expatriation to Canada, to benefit from this coverage from the very start of your trip.
CLEISS
As a French citizen seeking health insurance in Canada, it’s important to consider the role of the Centre des liaisons européennes et internationales de sécurité sociale (CLEISS). CLEISS coordinates the social security systems between France and Canada. French citizens, including temporary residents, can benefit from a social security agreement between the two countries, facilitating access to medical care. This simplifies administrative procedures and ensures optimum care in the event of medical needs.
Although the Canadian healthcare system is based on provincial and territorial schemes, French nationals can take advantage of the social security agreement between France and Canada, coordinated by CLEISS, to facilitate their access to medical services in Canada.
In summary, to obtain health insurance in Canada
Obtaining health insurance in Canada is an important step for permanent residents, Canadian citizens and people with valid temporary resident status. This plan covers medical care provided by doctors, hospitals, clinics and laboratories.
To register for health insurance, you must complete a registration form and provide the required documents. Eligibility requirements and processing times vary from one province or territory to another. If you have any questions about health insurance in Canada, you can contact the international health experts at Santexpat.fr.
