Insurance in France · in plain English
Whatever life in France brings, it shouldn’t be lost in translation. Our bilingual team makes Complementary health insurance in France clear and simple – backed by Generali.
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You moved to France. You have a Carte Vitale – or you are waiting for one. And somewhere along the way, someone mentioned a mutuelle. This page is for English-speaking expats who need to understand what complementary health insurance in France actually covers, why 95% of French residents hold one and how to get the right policy without spending hours navigating a system that was never designed with you in mind. We handle all of it – in English, backed by Generali, with a free quote in 24 hours.
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Backed by Generali
As an official Generali agency, we pair local, English-speaking service with the solidity of one of the world’s leading insurers.
Complementary health insurance in France exists precisely because Assurance Maladie, solid as it is, does not cover everything – and the shortfall is bigger than most expats expect.
A standard GP visit costs €30. The public system reimburses €17. A Sector 2 specialist – the kind you see for cardiology, dermatology or psychiatry in any major French city – sets their own fees. They may charge €80, €100 or more. Assurance Maladie still reimburses on the €30 base. The rest is yours.
Dental crowns, progressive lenses, private hospital rooms, hearing aids: the gaps add up fast. The table below shows what that looks like in three real scenarios.
Figures are indicative and vary by policy level, practitioner and region. They illustrate why, for most English-speaking expats in France, complementary health insurance in France is not optional in practice – even if it is not legally compulsory.
A mutuelle covers the gap. The right complementary health insurance in France covers it without leaving you to figure out reimbursement claims in French.
Where you are on this timeline determines which product you actually need right now. Complementary health insurance in France – the mutuelle – is stage three, not stage one. Getting the sequence wrong is one of the most common – and costly – mistakes new arrivals make.
Stage 1 – Arrival (months 0 to 3+) You are not yet in the French system. No social security number, no Carte Vitale, no eligibility for complementary health insurance in France. An expat health insurance policy is the only operational cover available. It works independently of Assurance Maladie and protects you from day one – GP consultations, specialist visits, hospitalisation and emergency repatriation. We activate it within 24 hours.
Stage 2 – PUMA application (from month 3 of continuous residence) After three months of continuous legal residence, you are eligible to apply for PUMA – the universal scheme that grants access to Assurance Maladie. The application goes to your local CPAM office and involves proof of residence, identity documents and income declarations. Processing takes a further three to six months on average. Important update for 2026: non-EU nationals on visitor visas must now pay a minimum annual healthcare contribution of €300 to €600 before PUMA affiliation is confirmed. Your expat policy stays active throughout this entire period. We manage the CPAM correspondence in English on your behalf.
Stage 3 – Mutuelle activation (upon PUMA confirmation) Once your PUMA affiliation is confirmed and your social security number issued, you are eligible to take out complementary health insurance in France. A mutuelle cannot be activated without that number – it is a hard administrative prerequisite, not a guideline. At this point, your expat policy can be cancelled or scaled back and your mutuelle takes over as the complementary layer on top of Assurance Maladie, covering Sector 2 overruns, dental, optical and hospitalisation extras.
Not sure which stage you are at? Tell us when you arrived and we will tell you what you need today – and what comes next.
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We are a Generali agency based in Cognac, specialising in complementary health insurance in France for English-speaking expats. We have been helping clients across France for over 20 years. No call centres. No automated responses. A real bilingual advisor who knows your file and stays with you from first quote to annual renewal.
Here is what is included from the moment you contact us:
We size the cover to your situation. A newly arrived 35-year-old needs a different complementary health insurance in France policy from a retired couple managing ongoing prescriptions or a family with young children. We find the right fit – not the most expensive one, and not the cheapest one that leaves you exposed.
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“Jennifer and all the staff were wonderful. They helped us navigate the French system with English documents – patient, efficient and very informative. I would wholeheartedly recommend them.”
“Friendly fast service. I was so happy to have received help with my insurances by someone who spoke English, as my French is not good. Really good to receive this service. Thank you 🙂”
“A really good experience. The folks in the Cognac office all speak excellent English and are really helpful. They explained the jargon clearly.”
“Excellent start to finish. Chantal at the Cognac office is an absolute and pleasurable asset – makes life so easy and speaks perfect English. Couldn’t be more helpful or professional.”
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