
As an FCA-authorised expert with a history of advising on over 800,000 policies, WeCovr understands that moving abroad requires careful planning. This guide to private medical insurance in France is designed for UK nationals, providing clear, authoritative advice to ensure your health and peace of mind are fully protected.
Making the move to France is an exciting chapter, filled with visions of charming villages, vibrant cities, and a renowned quality of life. Yet, amidst the excitement of finding a new home and embracing the culture, one of the most critical steps for any UK expat is navigating the French healthcare system. While France boasts one of the world's best state healthcare systems, understanding your options—and the potential gaps in coverage—is essential.
This is where specialist private medical insurance (PMI) for expats comes in. It’s not the same as the policy you might have held in the UK. This is a different type of cover, designed specifically for the needs of those living abroad, ensuring you have comprehensive protection, choice, and support when you need it most.
Before exploring private options, it’s vital to grasp the fundamentals of France's state healthcare. The system is known as Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA).
Since 2016, PUMA has granted a right to healthcare coverage for anyone who works or resides in France on a "stable and regular" basis. For most UK expats, this means you can apply to join the state system after three months of residency. Once your application is approved, you'll be issued a social security number and, eventually, the all-important Carte Vitale.
The Carte Vitale is a green plastic card with a chip that contains your healthcare information. You present it at every medical appointment—doctor, specialist, pharmacy, or hospital. The system automatically processes your reimbursement, with the state's portion of your costs typically paid directly into your bank account within a week.
The French state system is generous, but it is not entirely free. It operates on a co-payment model. The state health insurance fund (Assurance Maladie) typically reimburses a percentage of a government-set tariff for medical procedures and consultations. The average reimbursement is around 70%.
The remaining portion, known as the ticket modérateur, is the patient's responsibility. This can be a significant out-of-pocket expense, especially for specialist care or hospital stays.
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
| Service | Standard Government Tariff (Example) | State Reimbursement (approx. 70%) | Patient's Co-payment (approx. 30%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GP Consultation | €26.50 | €17.55 | €8.95 |
| Specialist Visit | €31.50+ | Varies (e.g., 70% of tariff) | Varies, can be substantial |
| Prescription Medicines | Varies | 15% to 100% | The remainder |
| Hospital Stay | Varies | 80% of costs | 20% + a daily fee (€20) |
Important Note: The state only reimburses based on its official tariffs. Many specialists and private clinics in Sector 2 (secteur 2) charge fees above this tariff (dépassements d'honoraires). The patient is responsible for 100% of these excess charges, which are not covered by the state system.
The 30% co-payment and excess fees charged by many specialists are precisely why almost all French residents—and savvy UK expats—take out complementary private health insurance. There are two main types of private cover to consider: a local 'top-up' policy (mutuelle) or comprehensive International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI).
An expert PMI broker like WeCovr can help you compare local mutuelles against comprehensive international plans to find the perfect fit for your needs and budget.
This is a point that cannot be stressed enough: a standard UK private medical insurance policy will not cover you once you become a resident of France.
UK PMI is designed for people living in the United Kingdom. Its network of hospitals, its pricing, and its terms are all based on the UK healthcare landscape. Once you move your primary residence to France, your UK policy is no longer valid for treatment in your new home country.
You need International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI). This is a specific category of private health cover designed for expats.
Here's a clear comparison:
| Feature | Standard UK PMI | International PMI (for Expats in France) |
|---|---|---|
| Geographical Cover | United Kingdom only. | France, often with options for UK & global cover. |
| Designed For | UK residents seeking private care in the UK. | Expats living and working abroad. |
| Currency | Premiums and claims paid in Pounds Sterling (£). | Flexible currency options (EUR, GBP, USD). |
| Network & Direct Billing | UK-based hospital and specialist network. | Global network of medical facilities with direct billing. |
| Support Services | UK-based, English-speaking customer service. | 24/7 multilingual emergency and support helplines. |
| Scope of Cover | Complements the NHS. | Complements or replaces local state healthcare (like PUMA). |
Essentially, you are moving from a domestic product to a global one. The best PMI providers in this space offer plans specifically tailored to the European market, with an understanding of how they work alongside systems like France's PUMA.
With so many options, choosing the right policy can feel overwhelming. A methodical approach is key. Here are the main factors to consider:
Think about your lifestyle. Do you need:
Policies are typically structured in tiers:
An excess (or deductible) is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim before the insurer contributes.
This is how the insurer assesses your medical history.
Navigating the complexities of international health insurance alone can be a challenge. Using a specialist broker like WeCovr provides invaluable support at no extra cost to you. Our fee is paid by the insurer you choose, so you get impartial, expert advice for free.
Here’s how we help UK expats in France:
With high customer satisfaction ratings, our focus is on finding you the right protection, not just selling a policy.
Premiums for international PMI vary widely based on several factors:
To give you a general idea, here are some illustrative estimates for 2025.
| Profile | Level of Cover | Estimated Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Single Person, age 35 | Mid-range (In & Out-patient, Europe-wide) | €120 - €220 |
| Couple, age 55 | Comprehensive (incl. Dental, Worldwide ex-USA) | €450 - €700 |
| Family of 4 (Parents 42, Kids 8 & 10) | Mid-range (In & Out-patient, Europe-wide) | €500 - €800 |
Disclaimer: These figures are for illustrative purposes only. They are not a quote. The actual premium will depend on your personal circumstances and the specific insurer. The most accurate way to find out the cost is to request a personalised quote.
This is one of the most important aspects of private medical insurance to understand. It is a fundamental principle of how insurance works in the UK and internationally.
Private medical insurance is designed to cover acute conditions that arise after you have taken out the policy.
Standard private medical insurance—both in the UK and internationally—does NOT cover the treatment of chronic or pre-existing conditions.
For ongoing management of a chronic condition in France, you will need to rely on the state system (PUMA). Your approved chronic illness (Affection de Longue Durée or ALD) may even be covered at 100% of the state tariff by Assurance Maladie. A private mutuelle can then be useful to cover any associated costs that the state doesn't, but a full international PMI plan will typically exclude the condition itself.
Being transparent about your medical history during application is vital to ensure there are no surprises when you need to make a claim.
Embracing life in France also means embracing its approach to health and wellness. Here are a few practical tips to help you settle in.
Register with a Médecin Traitant: This is your chosen GP. Registering is a crucial step. Not only does it establish a relationship with a doctor who knows your history, but it is also key to maximising your reimbursement from the state system. Visits to specialists are reimbursed at a much lower rate if you haven't been referred by your médecin traitant.
Use Your Carte Vitale Everywhere: Always present your Carte Vitale at the GP, pharmacy, lab, or hospital. This ensures the electronic reimbursement process works smoothly.
Lean on the Pharmacist: French pharmacists are highly trained and respected health professionals. For minor ailments, they are an excellent first port of call and can provide effective over-the-counter advice and remedies, often saving you a trip to the doctor.
Embrace the French Diet and Lifestyle:
Ready to find the right health protection for your new life in France?
The WeCovr team is ready to help. Get a free, no-obligation quote today and let our experts compare the best private medical insurance UK expat plans for you. Secure your peace of mind and start your French adventure with confidence.






