Private healthcare in France

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.

What you get with Best French Insurance

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:

• Free initial consultation — by phone or email, no commitment required
• Personalised quote within 24 hours — based on your visa status, arrival date, age and healthcare priorities
• Consulate-compliant certificate issued the same day your cover is activated — ready for VLS-TS applications and annual renewals
• Sector 1, Sector 2 and OPTAM guidance in plain English — so you understand which practitioners your policy covers and at what level
• Access to private clinics with reduced out-of-pocket costs and no waiting-list delays
• Full paperwork management in English — forms, reimbursement claims and correspondence with Assurance Maladie handled on your behalf
• Backed by Generali — one of the world’s largest insurers, for financial security and long-term reliability

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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What our clients say about private healthcare in France with Best French Insurance

Our Google rating is 5/5, based on verified reviews from English-speaking clients who needed private healthcare in France and found us 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 and very informative. I would wholeheartedly recommend them without hesitation.” — Peter

“Excellent start to finish. Chantal at the Cognac office is an absolute asset — makes life so easy and speaks perfect English. Couldn’t be more helpful or professional.” — Bob

“Friendly fast service. I was so happy to receive help with my insurances from someone who spoke English. With these kinds of paperwork, it made all the difference.” — Maryke

Most of these clients came to us after a visa rejection, a rejected certificate or a bill they did not expect. Getting the right cover from day one is always cheaper than fixing a problem after the fact.