Participations forfaitaires and franchises médicales

"Franchises médicales" and "participations forfaitaires" are flat-rate contributions set up if you are older than 18 years old. They apply every time you visit a doctor, go to the laboratory or to the pharmacy for example.

The purpose of these contributions is to protect our healthcare system. They are applicable even if you have a long-term illness for which you are covered at 100%.

The “participation forfaitaire” of 2 euros applies for each visit and medical act carried out by a doctor, for tests in a laboratory and for radiological examination for example.

Regarding the “franchise médicale”, it is a 1 euro fee for each medicine box, paramedical act and a 4 euros contribution per transportation (with a 8 euros limit per day).

Contributions called “participation forfaitaire“ and “franchise médicale” are limited per beneficiary and per year, to 70 euros each (this means up to a maximum of 140 euros each year).

Before the 1st of October 2026, the ceiling was 50 euros each per year.

If you do not pay upfront for your medical cares, the amount of your “participation forfaitaire et franchise médicale” will be deducted from your next reimbursement. Notice that sometimes your refund can be at 0 euro because of those deductions. The details of your refunds are available on your ameli account “Frais de santé > Vos paiements” section.

Any remaining "franchises médicales et participations forfaitaires" for previous cares can be claimed within 5 years.

Assurance Maladie may send you a notice of an amount due, if the balance you owe is over 40 euros. You will then be able to pay by following the instructions indicated in the letter.

If you have an ameli account, you can see in detail how much you owe for those contributions, on “Frais de santé” section.

Have a nice day.