As one of our closest European neighbours, France has long been one of the top destinations for a weekend break, business trip or longer holiday. Whether you’re off to the bright lights of Paris, or the sophisticated beaches of the Cote D’Azur, you’ll need to make sure your travel insurance is in order before you leave. EHIC cover is accepted across mainland France and also in the overseas territories of Guadeloupe and Martinique, so here’s what you need to know should you need to access state healthcare in France.

French Language Skills?

Calling the emergency number in France – 112 – will connect you to an operator. Most operators will be able to speak basic English, but a few words of French will be a benefit to you. “Urgence” is emergency and “ambulance” is the same word as in English. Always ask “Parlez-vous anglais?” (Do you speak English?) to assist with understanding. In larger hospitals, and especially in the major cities, there will be someone who can speak reasonable English. In a stressful situation it can be helpful to have a native French speaker with you, so take a friend or family member where possible.

Isn’t French Healthcare Free?

Unlike the NHS, French healthcare isn’t free, and this means that services which French people pay for will cost you money too. When looking for a doctor or hospital emergency department, make sure that the provider is “conventionne”, which means operating in the state sector. Always show your EHIC card and make sure any health professional knows that you want to be treated as a state patient. If you’re asked for your credit card up front, you’ve probably been admitted as a private patient, so always check.

Payment and Reclaim

The French state healthcare system is unusual in that people pay their doctor, dentist or optician the full amount for their treatment, and then reclaim part of the treatment cost from their insurer. As an EHIC holder, you must do the same. When seeing a GP or being treated in hospital, the healthcare professional will complete a treatment form, known in French as a “feuille de soins”. This is the paperwork you will need to present to the state insurance company to claim up to 70% of the cost back. There are a few items which can’t be reclaimed, such as flat fees for overnight stays in hospital, and the cost of prescription medicines.

You have to start the process of claiming back charges under EHIC rules before you leave France as you’ll be dealing with the French healthcare authorities, not the NHS. The organisation which processes refunds is the CPAM (Caisse Primaire D‘Assurance Maladie). Send them your treatment form, any prescriptions you were given, a copy of your EHIC card, address and bank details. Always keep copies of all documents you submit. Information is available in English on the CLIESS website about receiving treatment in France and getting reimbursement. Check this information regularly as the system might change without prior notice.