I’m returning to France after an expatriation

Returning to France after expatriation: health formalities

Returning to France after an expatriation is an important step that involves a number of administrative formalities, particularly with regard to your health cover. It’s essential to understand the procedures involved in order to quickly regain your social security rights back in France and ensure your access to healthcare.

Social security: how do you regain your rights?

When you return to France after expatriation, it’s essential to re-register with the French social security system in order to benefit from reimbursement of your medical expenses. Depending on your situation, there are several steps you can take:

• If you were affiliated to the Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE): You will continue to be covered for three months after your return. After this period, you must register with the Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMa).
• If you were not affiliated to the CFE: You must apply to the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM) for coverage by completing form S1106 and providing proof of residence.

Expatriate returning to France social security: which documents to provide?

To help you register for social security in France, we recommend that you prepare the following documents:

• An identity document
• Proof of residence in France
• Bank details (RIB)
• A certificate of cessation of activity abroad

If you are unemployed when you return to France after expatriation, you can also benefit from health coverage via PUMa, provided you can prove your stable residence in France.

Returning to France after expatriation means taking the necessary steps in advance to ensure your reintegration into the healthcare system and avoid any interruption in medical treatment.

Tax obligations and tax returns

When you return to France, you become a French tax resident once again, and must declare all your worldwide income. If you had no tax obligations in France during your expatriation, you must submit your tax return to the tax office in your new place of residence. Otherwise, if you received French-source income that was taxable in France, you’ll need to complete a specific tax return (form no. 2042-NR) for the period prior to your return, in addition to the standard return for the period after your return.

Job search and social security contributions

If you don’t immediately find a job on your return, there are several ways to help you:

• Unemployment benefit: If you have contributed for at least 18 months to the expatriate unemployment insurance scheme run by Pôle Emploi Services, you can claim unemployment benefit in France, which entitles you to health insurance.
• Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMa): In the absence of employment, you can benefit from the PUMa based on residency criteria, guaranteeing coverage of your healthcare costs.

It is also advisable to register with Pôle Emploi to facilitate your job search and access to available vacancies.