Best expat health insurance quotes in France

The French healthcare system, known as PUMA, is one of the highest quality systems in the world. However, medical care is not cheap and public insurance plans cover only around 70–80% of fees. Private health insurance can be used to cover remaining costs, access treatments not included in state coverage and plug any initial coverage gaps.

While the French system provides excellent quality subsidized healthcare for everyone, expats must reside in France for three months before qualifying. Those not covered by health insurance can still access the French healthcare system but they may have to pay up to 100% of any costs of medical treatment and prescriptions.

It’s best to start your private health insurance policy just before you arrive in France. If you have a coverage gap between your insurance at home and your new policy, this could leave you with out-of-pocket expenses in case of emergency.

Usually private health insurance policies are on an individual basis. If you want to cover a partner or family members, you can add them on when you build your policy. If you have several dependents, it’s worth shopping around for the best family plan.

When you first design a health insurance plan, you can choose what you will pay yourself and what the provider will pay. Which treatments your plan covers depends on if you’ve met your deductible, whether you have a provider network, and other factors.

Health insurance premiums are based on age, medical history, level of coverage needed, and whether you include extra benefits. France has average to high healthcare costs compared to the rest of Europe, so premiums will be higher there than in other countries.

The claims process in France varies between insurers. Some deal directly with healthcare providers and pay bills on your behalf while others require you to pay upfront and send an invoice after. If you’re concerned about having to pay upfront, look for a provider who can sort out claims directly.