Last verified: October 2026 — Sources: ameli.fr, Service-Public.fr
The Carte Vitale is the French Social Security card (Sécurité sociale). With it, the system automatically reimburses between 70% and 100% of your medical expenses. If you live in France legally, you are entitled to apply for one, regardless of your nationality. This guide explains how to do it based on your situation.
Who can apply for the Carte Vitale?
Since 2016, France applies PUMa (Protection Universelle Maladie): anyone who resides in France on a stable and regular basis is entitled to public health coverage. Requirements depend on your origin:
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
- You work in France: your employer registers you with the Sécurité sociale. Your CPAM (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie) will contact you to complete the enrolment.
- You don’t work but reside in France: you must prove stable residence (more than 3 months) and submit the application yourself to the CPAM in your department.
- Practical tip: if you are coming from an EU country, apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before moving. It covers you during the transition while you wait for the Carte Vitale.
If you are from outside the EU
- You need a valid residence permit (titre de séjour) or a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS).
- You must be able to prove more than 3 months of stable residence in France, or have an employment contract.
- Asylum seekers have specific health coverage during the process.
If you are a student
Foreign students enrolled at a French higher education institution register directly through etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr. You do not need to wait 3 months. Registration is free and can be started even before arriving in France.
Documents you need
The documents vary depending on your situation. Generally you will need:
- Valid ID card or passport.
- Residence permit or VLS-TS visa (if you are from outside the EU).
- Proof of address in France (electricity bill, rental contract, attestation d’hébergement).
- RIB (French bank account details) to receive reimbursements.
- Birth certificate (sometimes translated and apostilled, depending on your country of origin).
- A recent ID photo.
- Form S1104 (Demande d’ouverture des droits à l’Assurance Maladie), available at your CPAM.
Important: if you work, your employer handles part of the process. But if you don’t work (partner of someone employed, retiree, etc.), you must submit the application in person at your CPAM.
Step-by-step procedure
Step 1: Register with the Assurance Maladie
If you work, your employer registers you. If not, contact the CPAM in your department with the documents listed above. You can find yours at ameli.fr/adresses-et-contacts.
Step 2: Receive your Sécurité sociale number
After registration, you will first receive a provisional number (NIA, Numéro d’Identification d’Attente) and later your permanent one (13 digits). This process can take from a few weeks to several months.
Step 3: Create your Ameli account
With your permanent number, create your account at ameli.fr. From there you can request the Carte Vitale, download your attestation de droits and track your reimbursements.
Step 4: Request the Carte Vitale
You can request it in two ways:
- Online: from your Ameli account → Mes démarches → Commander ma carte Vitale. This is the fastest option (about 2–3 weeks for delivery).
- By post: by completing the form sent to you by the CPAM.
Step 5: While you wait
Download your attestation de droits (certificate of rights) from your Ameli account. With this document you can see a doctor and visit the pharmacy without paying the full cost upfront (tiers payant). You can also obtain it from CPAM terminals or pharmacies.
Realistic timelines
According to various sources, timelines in 2026 are approximately:
- European worker with an employer: 1–3 months for the permanent number, 2–3 more weeks for the physical card.
- Non-working or non-EU resident (first registration): 3–6 months for full enrolment. In Île-de-France it can take longer.
- Student via etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr: variable, but usually faster as the process is fully online.
Don’t get discouraged if it takes time. French bureaucracy is known for being slow with these procedures. The key is to start the process as early as possible and keep your attestation de droits while you wait.
Choose a médecin traitant
Once registered, you must declare a médecin traitant (family doctor). If you don’t, your reimbursements will be lower than normal. You can choose any general practitioner accepting new patients. The declaration is made directly at the doctor’s office.
Carte Vitale on your phone
Since 2023, a digital version of the Carte Vitale is available through the official “carte Vitale” app (available on iOS and Android). Not all healthcare professionals accept it yet, so it’s best to also have the physical card.
Common mistakes
- Not starting the process until you have a permanent address. You can begin the registration with a temporary proof of address (attestation d’hébergement from a friend or family member).
- Confusing the EHIC with the Carte Vitale. The European Health Insurance Card covers you temporarily, but it does not replace the Carte Vitale if you reside in France.
- Not requesting the attestation de droits. While waiting for the card, this document is essential to see a doctor without overpaying.
Official sources
- ameli.fr — Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMa)
- Service-Public.fr — Carte Vitale
- etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr — Foreign students
This article is for informational purposes. Timelines and documents may vary depending on your department and personal situation. Contact your CPAM directly to confirm the requirements in your specific case.