Insurance in France · in plain English
Whatever life in France brings, it shouldn’t be lost in translation. Our bilingual team makes Private healthcare in France clear and simple – backed by Generali.
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You just arrived in France – or you are about to. You need health cover that works from day one, a certificate your consulate will actually accept and someone who can explain all of it in plain English. Private healthcare in France is not optional for most new arrivals: without a social security number, the public system is not yet accessible to you.
This page tells you exactly what you need, when you need it and how we handle everything – 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.
Private healthcare in France is not a luxury add-on – it is the only thing standing between you and full-cost medical bills while you wait for public system access. The French public system is widely respected, but it does not protect you until you are registered – and registration takes time. In the meantime, every medical bill lands entirely with you.
Here is what that looks like in practice:
One unexpected hospitalisation without cover can cost more than a full year of private healthcare in France. The right policy eliminates that exposure entirely – and we set it up within 24 hours.
Protect yourself from day one →
If you are applying for a French long-stay visa (VLS-TS) or renewing your titre de séjour, your insurance certificate is one of the first things the consulate or préfecture checks. And they check the wording, not just whether a policy exists. Private healthcare in France that meets consulate standards is not the same as any health policy – the requirements are specific and non-negotiable.
According to France-Visas.gouv.fr, the minimum requirements are:
A travel insurance policy bought online almost never meets these standards. We issue a fully compliant certificate – formatted to consulate and préfecture requirements – on the day your cover is activated.
2026 update: the French National Assembly approved an amendment in late 2025 requiring non-EU nationals on visitor visas to pay a minimum healthcare contribution of €300 to €600 before accessing PUMA – the public health scheme. Until that contribution is paid and affiliation confirmed, private health insurance is mandatory, not optional.
Private healthcare in France is not the end point – it is the starting point. Understanding where you are on this journey tells you exactly which product you need today.
Stage 1 – Arrival (months 0 to 3+) You have no social security number, no Carte Vitale and no access to the French public system. Private expat health insurance is your only operational cover. It protects you from day one: GP consultations, specialist visits, hospitalisation, emergency repatriation. We activate it within 24 hours and issue your consulate-compliant certificate the same day.
Stage 2 – PUMA application (from month 3 of continuous residence) After three months in France, you are eligible to apply for PUMA – the universal scheme that grants access to Assurance Maladie. Processing takes a further three to six months on average. In 2026, non-EU nationals must also pay the minimum healthcare contribution of €300 to €600 before affiliation is confirmed. Your private policy stays active throughout this entire period.
Stage 3 – Mutuelle activation (upon PUMA confirmation) Once your social security number is issued, you are eligible to switch to a mutuelle – a complementary top-up policy that works alongside Assurance Maladie rather than independently of it. Your private expat cover can then be cancelled or scaled back. We manage that transition and advise on the exact right moment based on your status.
Not sure which stage you are at? Tell us when you arrived, and we will tell you what you need next.
We are a Generali agency based in Cognac, specialising in private healthcare in France for English-speaking expats. We have helped English-speaking expats across France for over 20 years. No call centres. No automated responses. A real bilingual advisor who reads your situation, builds the right policy and stays with you through every administrative step.
From the moment you contact us:
We work with clients from the UK, the US, Canada and Australia – at every stage of the residency journey, from first visa applications to long-term PUMA transitions.
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5/5 on Google
“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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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.
