French healthcare doesn’t cover everything
One of the biggest surprises for many newcomers is that French healthcare isn’t entirely free.
While the state health system (Assurance Maladie) reimburses a significant proportion of medical costs and prescriptions, it doesn’t usually cover everything.
That’s why most French people choose to have a mutuelle (complementary health insurance).
It isn’t obligatory for everyone — self-employed people and retirees can choose freely. (However, if you’re taking up salaried employment, your employer will be required to offer you a collective mutuelle, and in most cases you’ll be expected to join it.)
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all policy
The good news is that having a mutuelle doesn’t necessarily mean paying for the most comprehensive policy available.
The right policy of cover depends on your age, your health and, above all, your attitude to financial risk.
Your cover should change with you
So, for instance, when I first settled in France, I was young, healthy and rarely visited a doctor. For several years I chose a basic policy covering hospitalisation, nothing more. It kept my monthly premium affordable while protecting me against the one expense that could have left me seriously out of pocket.
As the years went by, though, my needs changed. I started wearing glasses, received the occasional eye-watering dental bill, prescriptions became less rare. At that point, it made sense to switch to broader cover. The right mutuelle isn’t something you choose once and forget about—it needs to evolve as your circumstances do.
Is hospital cover enough?
For many people, hospitalisation is a sensible starting point. An occasional GP consultation may be eminently affordable, but a stay in hospital can leave you facing hundreds—or even several thousand euros—in additional costs if you don’t have adequate cover.
Don’t overlook specialist fees
It’s also worth knowing that not all doctors charge the same fees. Some specialists practise in Secteur 2, where they can charge above the official tariff.
Depending on your mutuelle, some or all of these additional costs may be reimbursed.
If you expect to see specialists regularly, this is well worth comparing when choosing a policy. Read more about the difference between Secteur 1 and Secteur 2 doctors.
The real question to ask yourself
Rather than asking, “What’s the best mutuelle?”, a better question is: Which medical expenses could I comfortably pay myself, and which ones would I rather insure against? The answer will be different for everyone.
Need help navigating the French system?
Health cover is just one of many decisions that catch newcomers off guard in France. If you’d like practical, bilingual support getting the details right, I’m here to help.
