Quick Answer
- What it is:
- Social Security & Health Insurance — a healthcare procedure in France.
- Deadline:
- 90 days
- Steps:
- 5 steps
- Cost:
- Free
- Documents:
- 6 required
- Legal basis:
- CSS Art. L160-1
Important Deadlines
Apply for PUMA (universal health coverage) within 3 months of stable residence
Required Documents
- ✓Valid passport or ID
- ✓Birth certificate (with apostille if from non-EU country)
- ✓Justificatif de domicile (proof of address)
- ✓Employment contract or proof of activity
- ✓Titre de séjour (for non-EU nationals)
- ✓RIB (bank account details) for reimbursements
Step-by-Step Guide
If employed: your employer registers you with URSSAF. You'll receive a numéro de sécurité sociale (social security number) within weeks.
Pro tip: Your temporary number starts with 7 (provisional). The permanent number starts with 1 (male) or 2 (female).
Create your Ameli account at ameli.fr once you have your numéro de sécurité sociale.
Pro tip: Ameli is the online portal for all health insurance matters — reimbursements, carte vitale, attestations.
Apply for your Carte Vitale (health card) through Ameli. Submit a photo and proof of identity.
Pro tip: The Carte Vitale takes 2-3 months. In the meantime, use paper attestations for reimbursement.
Choose a médecin traitant (referring doctor) and declare them on Ameli.
Pro tip: Without a declared médecin traitant, reimbursement drops from 70% to 30%. Register one ASAP.
Consider a mutuelle (supplementary health insurance) to cover the remaining 30%.
Pro tip: Employers must provide a mutuelle (compulsory since 2016). Self-employed must arrange their own.
Fees
Legal Basis
Also Known As
This procedure is commonly searched under these names:
Official Resources
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