Complementary health insurance in France
- Bilingual team in Cognac – 20+ years helping expats
- Get covered in 24h
- Free, no-obligation quote
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.
Why the French public system leaves a real gap — and why complementary health insurance in France fills it
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.
| Scenario | Total cost | Assurance Maladie | With a mutuelle (mid-tier) | Without a mutuelle, you pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sector 2 specialist (€90 fee) | €90 | €17 | ~€55 covered | €73 |
| Private hospital room (per night) | €80 | €0 | ~€70 covered | €80 |
| Dental crown (outside 100% Santé) | €800 | ~€100 | ~€500 covered | ~€700 |
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.
Your roadmap to complementary health insurance in France
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.
What you get with Best French Insurance for complementary health insurance in France
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:
- Free initial consultation — by phone or email, no commitment required
- Personalised quote within 24 hours — calibrated to your age, health profile, residency status and the practitioners you actually see
- Plain-English explanation of Sector 2 and OPTAM — so you understand exactly what your policy covers before you sign anything
- 100% Santé provider identification — we find participating dentists, opticians and audiologists near you for zero out-of-pocket access
- Full CPAM and Ameli paperwork management — forms, reimbursement claims and official correspondence handled in English on your behalf
- Backed by Generali — one of the world’s largest insurers, for financial security and long-term reliability
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.
Get my free, no-obligation quote →
What our clients say about complementary health insurance in France with Best French Insurance
Our Google rating is 5/5, verified by English-speaking clients who came to us for complementary health insurance in France and are now settled across the country.
« Jennifer and all the staff at Agence Generali Cognac were wonderful. They helped us navigate the French insurance system with English documents — a feat not to be underestimated. They were extremely patient, efficient, very informative and even assisted us with documents we needed for another company. I would wholeheartedly recommend them without hesitation. » — Peter
« 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. » — Bob
« Despite speaking OK French, I found the jargon and conventions of French insurance daunting — but the Cognac office were patient and explained everything clearly. » — Michael
These clients did not come to us because we were the cheapest option on a comparison table. They came because they needed someone who understood their situation — and who could explain it back to them without jargon, delays or a language barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions About Complementary health insurance in France
Everything you need to know about complementary health insurance in France — from eligibility to costs and what the mutuelle actually covers.
Can I get a mutuelle before I have a French social security number?
No. Complementary health insurance in France requires prior Assurance Maladie affiliation, which means you need a social security number first. That number is issued once your PUMA registration is confirmed — typically three to nine months after arriving in France. Until then, an expat health insurance policy is the right cover. We manage the transition between the two.
What is the difference between Sector 1, Sector 2 and OPTAM?
Sector 1 practitioners charge the official national rate. Sector 2 practitioners set their own fees above that rate — those extra charges are called dépassements d’honoraires. Assurance Maladie reimburses on the Sector 1 base regardless of what you actually paid. OPTAM is a voluntary scheme where Sector 2 doctors cap their overruns in exchange for better patient reimbursement. Your complementary health insurance in France level should reflect whether the specialists you see are Sector 2 OPTAM or non-OPTAM — a distinction most comparison sites ignore entirely.
What does the 100% Santé scheme actually cover?
Within 100% Santé, zero out-of-pocket access applies to: a defined selection of Class A optical frames and lenses at regulated prices; a range of capped-price dental crowns, bridges and removable prostheses; and a full range of digital hearing aids across all severity levels. Outside those selections, standard co-payments apply. Good complementary health insurance in France covers both the 100% Santé basket and a broader range of care beyond it.
How much does complementary health insurance in France cost?
According to Connexion France, average premiums for a 60-year-old run around €110 per month for individual cover. Entry-level plans start around €30 per month for younger, healthy adults. Cost rises with age and varies by region and policy level. We provide a personalised quote — no cost, no obligation, no pressure.
Is complementary health insurance in France compulsory?
Not legally — but according to Wise, 95% of French residents hold complementary health insurance in France, because the alternative is absorbing Sector 2 overruns, dental costs and hospitalisation extras entirely out of pocket. For private sector employees, employers are legally required to provide group mutuelle access with at least 50% of the premium covered.
Do you only work with clients in the Cognac area?
No. We advise on complementary health insurance in France for English-speaking clients across the whole of France — Paris, Lyon, Brittany, Provence, the Dordogne and beyond. Everything can be handled remotely by phone and email. Location is not a barrier.
Looking to cover your property as well as your health? Our page on home insurance in France covers everything English-speaking residents need to know.
For a broader overview of health cover options in France, visit our health insurance in France page.
What we offer
We provide tailored insurance solutions for individuals, families, and professionals:
Why choose us ?
Over 20 years of experience with expats and international clients
Bilingual team — we explain everything in plain English (We are French. We speak English. And no, we won’t make you fill out a 12-page form in triplicate)
No call centers — real human support, by phone or email
Quick turnaround — get covered in as little as 24h
Based in Cognac, working with clients across all of France
We are not a comparison site — we are an actual agency that helps you get what’s best for you.
Real stories from real clients (5/5 on Google)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be fluent in French to get insured?
No. We speak English and take care of the paperwork for you.
Can I get insured quickly?
Yes — in most cases, we can provide coverage within 24 to 48 hours.
Is this more expensive than going directly to an insurer?
Not at all. Our prices are transparent, and you benefit from personalised advice at no extra cost.
Ready to get started?
- Fill out our form to receive a personalised quote
- Or click “Contact us”, and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours
- It’s fast, free, and tailored to your needs.
Contact Information
Address
16 rue Plumejeau – 16100 COGNAC
Business Hours
Mon-Fri: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sat: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Your trusted insurance partner in France for over 20 years.
Legal
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SAS AGENCE GENERALI COGNAC, whose registered office is located at 2 rue Pillet Will, 75009 Paris, is registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 844 879 106, and with ORIAS under number 210005547.