How to be covered if I am an international student ?

Once you have arrived in France and have been issued with your certificate of enrollment by a French institute of higher education, you can register on this dedicated website: https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr

Please notice that for a better understanding of the process, you can translate the website from french to english or spanish.

You will need to submit the following documents online:

- Copy of the passport or identity card;
- School certificate (« certificat de scolarité »);
- A valid resident permit (« titre de séjour ») and its online validation: https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr/particuliers/#/vls-ts/demarches/etape/numero-visa;
- Your French bank account identification details (relevé d'identité bancaire – RIB/IBAN), which will be used to transfer reimbursements to your account;
- A complete copy of your birth certificate (showing your parents’ names and information or any document issued by a consulate), a family record book (« livret de famille »), a marriage certificate when applicable.

To check whether you have the right permit, or to learn more about the resident’s permit application process, please contact the French consulate in your country of origin or refer to the information available on the Campus France website: https://www.campusfrance.org/en

Once your social security number is certified, your CPAM will send you the carte Vitale form. You can either order the card online by creating an ameli account or you can send the paper copy of the form by post, along with a recent identity photo and a copy of an identity document.
For better medical care and optimal reimbursements, register a « médecin traitant » (general practitioner) on your file.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How long does it take to get my social security number ?

Processing times to get a social security number depend on the the number of requests being processed. They therefore are different from one CPAM to another.

How will I be informed about the progress of my application ?

If you submitted your application on the website, you can follow the progress of the documents you have sent directly from your online profile.
Once your CPAM has processed your application, you will be able to download an informative leaflet called « Welcome Pack », and your social security number on your «attestation de droits » (certificate of rights). You will then be covered by the French healthcare system.
If you submitted a paper application, your CPAM will send you your social security number and an « attestation de droits » by postmail.

How to claim reimbursement for my care while waiting for my carte Vitale ?  

To claim your refund, you have to complete, sign and send your « feuille de soins » (brown paper), and the prescriptions if you have them, to your CPAM.

I already have a social security number delivered by caisse d’allocations familiales (CAF), may I apply on the website ?

If you already have a French social security number, you cannot apply online. You will need to send the following documents to your CPAM by post:

- A copy of the passport or identity card;
- The S1106 form « Application for membership in the French health care system » available on ameli.fr;
- The certified and complete copy of your birth certificate, with the mention of your parents’ names;
- A copy of your marriage certificate, if applicable;
- For non-Europeans citizen, the official translation of your birth and marriage certificates into French, made by an official translator registered with a French court of justice, or by your consulate or embassy;
- A proof of residency (utility bills, rental contract, etc.);
- Your French bank account details (copy of your official RIB - relevé d'identité bancaire/IBAN);
- For non-European citizens, a copy of your visa or residence permit;
- A school certificate.

Their contact details are available on ameli.fr, in this section "Adresses et Contacts".

I study and work at the same time, may I apply on the website ?

You will not be able to submit your application online if you work in addition to your studies. You need to follow the steps indicated in this topic: "How to be covered if I am working with a French contract ? ".

I received a notification because my document is not compliant, I would like to upload a new one but I cannot access my profile anymore.

If you no longer have access to your online profile but have already been given a social security number, you must send the required document by post.

If you have not yet received your social security number, I advise you to contact your caisse primaire d’assurance maladie (CPAM). Their contact details are available on ameli.fr, under the section « Adresses et contacts » and on this topic: "How to call the French Health Insurance Advice Lines ? ".

I uploaded the wrong document, how to modify ?

You will have to wait for this document to be processed and refused by your CPAM before you can upload a new document.

How to update my personal details ?

If your contact details have changed and your file has not yet been processed, I advise you to contact your caisse primaire d’assurance maladie (CPAM). Their coordinates are available on ameli.fr, under the section « Adresses et contacts » and on this topic: "How to call the French Health Insurance Advice Lines ? ".

If you already have an ameli account, you do not need to update your details on the student registration website. You can log into your ameli account and change your details as indicated in this topic: "Change of address".

How to access my ameli account once I receive my social security number ?

You will find the steps to follow in this topic: "How to create my online account "compte ameli ? ".

If you do not have a carte Vitale and/or if your RIB (bank account details) is not registered in your file, you will not be able to create your ameli account on your own. You will need to contact your CPAM to obtain a temporary code (if it has not been sent to you by post by following this topic: "How to call the French Health Insurance Advice Lines ? ".

Have a nice day.