As a citizen of a non EU member State, what are the current regulations regarding staying in France, either temporarily or permanently?
 Non-EU individuals and their families intending to staying in France, must apply for a long stay visa (visa long séjour) prior to leaving the home country. The regulations regarding this a quite clear: any non-EU national planning to be in France for longer than three months must apply for a long stay visa that is valid for either a holiday (visa long séjour visiteur), employment (salarié), study (étudiant) or private and family life (vie privée et familiale), if they are moving in with an EU family member.
A non-EU national may only apply for temporary residency or a residence permit, in France itself, if they have already been granted a long stay visa.
Visas can only be applied for at the French Embassy of the non-EU national's home country before departure - unless the national has a French spouse or holds a valid residency permit from another EU country, in which case, an application can be made at the Préfecture.
As these Visa’s are never issued for an indefinite period, the period of validity will depend on various factors concerning employment or study arrangements, and similar documents are generally required for renewal as for the original application: either proof of health insurance or registration with the French social security system (a Carte Vitale or an attestation) will also now be required.
Once in France, any Non-EU citizen, over 18 years of age, who holds a valid Visa may apply for residency. An application should be made within two months of arrival in the country at the Service des étrangers section of the local Préfecture, if in Paris, or the Préfecture de Police. Any such application will require proof of identity, family situation, address and other factors that correspond with the reason for staying (be it work, study, retirement or other), and generally, the individual can be expected to produce the originals of the following:
- A valid passport
- A valid long stay visa, which is in the passport
- Proof of family situation (birth certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificates of dependent children)
- Proof of permanent address in France (EDF electricity bill or the house deed of sale (acte de vente) for a house bought in France or a signed lease agreement for the French address)
- A medical certificate issued by ANAEM (Agence Nationale d'Accueil des Etrangers et des Migrations)
- Three recent identity photographs
Finally, depending upon your specific circumstances, you will also probably be asked to provide a job contract issued by the employer, if you are working, or, if you are a visitor, identification and a declaration (attestation) signed by a host person or family member, along with proof of financial resources and proof of health insurance.
If the application for residency is successful, then a residency permit (Carte de Séjour) will be issued, and, though generally valid for five years, the period of validity can depend on various factors concerning your employment or study arrangements. Any application for renewal of this permit must be made within two month’s of the expiry date.
*** Whilst all effort has been made to ensure that the information presented here is accurate at the date of publication no liability can be accepted for any errors contained herein. ***
It is a condition of any application for a visa, or for residency, that proof of medical insurance is provided.
The type of insurance that you will be required to hold will depend entirely upon whether you are, or are not, integrated into the French Health system.
If you are not affiliated to the French Health system: you are not affiliated to the French health system, then you should consider the following:
Temporary or short term cover
There are several plans available to you, depending upon your circumstances, and in what capacity you are going to stay in France.
Studying in France
For those who are coming to study in Europe, as well as those who are teachers, we have a range of appropriate medical insurance plans.
Are you looking for basic medical cover whilst you study? If so, then you should consider the student specific plan “Liaison Student” issued by SevenCorners.
SevenCorners - Liaison Student
As an alternative, whether you are a student or teacher, you might like to consider these:
Cover for Students
A range of plans are available from a number of professional insurers aimed at Students Studying Overseas, we would recommend these based upon your specific needs and budget and can be tailored dependant upon your requirements.
Cover for Teachers
Teachers, as with Students can consider a number of Industry Specific plans designed with Teachers in mind; these are in addition to the ‘standard’ plans available providing a much wider choice of options for consideration.
Ask us for details and a Free Quote if required…
On vacation in France
Whilst you on vacation in France, you might, require a Schengen approved policy.
We can provide such a Schengen approved policy that will cover you for up to a maximum of six months, from our American carrier, Sevencorners, under their “Liaison International” Plan.
Are you unsure as to what the Schengen area is?
Click Here for further details
Either way, if you require medical cover for a short term vacation, we would recommend you give thought to the following plan:
SevenCorners - Liaison International
Or, if you are looking for medical insurance cover for periods longer than six months, or that you would like the security of enhanced medical benefits, we would recommend the following plans:
SevenCorners - Liaison Majestic
SevenCorners - Reside Prime
Working in France
Whether you are working as an employee or are self employed, we have a range of plans for you to consider.
Normally, those who are working in France are eligible to enter the French health system through their appropriate régime, and consequently, serious thought should be given to whether you follow the example of most French citizens and take out a ‘top up’ or ‘mutuelle’ plan, or not. It should be pointed out that whilst these ‘top up’ plans are not legally compulsory, they are highly recommended.
For a more detailed explanation of how the French health system operates:
Click Here for further information
For more details, and a free quotation, of our recommended ‘top up’ plans:
Click Here for further information
Missionary work
We are also in the position to be able to provide medical cover for those carrying out missionary work – we would recommend the “Reside worldwide” plan issued by Sevencorners:
SevenCorners - Reside
Resident in France but not working – ‘inactif’
If you are legally resident in France, but not engaged in any recognised economic activity, you are deemed to be ‘inactif’. Dependent upon your status, you will either be required to possess compliant private medical insurance, or be affiliated to the French health system.
If you are ‘inactif’ but are not affiliated to the French health system, then we suggest you consider the Santé Totale range of plans:
Click Here for further information
If you are ‘inactif’, but are affiliated to the French health system, then we strongly recommend you consider a ‘top up’ or ‘mutuelle’ plan:
Click Here for further information
Are you hoping to obtain a Schengen Visa? If so, then you will require a Schengen approved policy.
We can provide such a Schengen approved policy that will cover you for up to a maximum of six months under the “Liaison International” Plan.
Are you unsure as to what the Schengen area is?
Click Here for further information
Either way, if you require medical cover for a short term vacation, we would recommend you consider the following “Schengen approved” plan:
SevenCorners - Liaison International
If you are an American wishing to utilize HIPAA rules, to benefit both your insurances in France but also if you decide to return to the United States.
Click Here for further information
If you are not affiliated to the French Health system, and are seeking longer term medical insurance cover, we would recommend the Santé Totale plan that has been designed with expats in France in mind. You must remember that, as a French resident, it is your legal obligation to either have your own medical insurance in France or be affiliated to the French health system.
Click Here for further information
If you are able to enter the French health system, then you would be well advised to follow the example of most French citizens, and consider taking out a ‘top up’ or mutuelle insurance.
As the French health system is not free, and is contributory, at the point of claim. These ‘top up’ plans pay the difference, to varying degrees, depending upon which plan you have taken out, between what the French health system will pay, based upon the Tarif de Convention , and the actual cost of the treatment. The extent to which these plans pay the ‘difference’ depends upon which level of plan you decide to take out. It must be pointed out that whilst these ‘top up’ plans are not legally compulsory, they are advisable.
For a more detailed explanation of how the French health system functions:
Click Here for further information
For more details of our recommended ‘top up’ plans:
Click Here for further information |
