What does Social Security cover abroad?
Social security abroad French social security offers you efficient and automatic coverage of your care in France. But what about when you cross the border? Depending on the purpose of your trip and your destination, Social Security abroad may cover part of your care ... or not at all!
Social security and vacations
Social security for holidays in the European Union
If you decide to go to rest on a Greek beach, to spend a few days discovering Barcelona or any other vacation in a country of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, the European agreements can cover you in case illness or accident. Before leaving, you will need to obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which you can order free of charge online. The procedure takes a fortnight, so remember to plan this process a little before your departure.
This card allows every European citizen to benefit from the coverage of medical costs on site, according to the local social security system. This means that in the event of care, the coverage will be the same as that of a citizen of the country. So this does not necessarily mean direct or total care. It is possible, depending on the type of treatment and the legislation in force, that you have to pay part of the costs, or even all. In the latter case, you will then need to request reimbursement from local or French Social Security upon your return. You must then keep all the medical documents in your possession (treatment sheets, invoices) and accompany them with form S3125 "Treatment received abroad".
Even if the EHIC can be very useful, it will not cover you optimally in case of care within the EU. Indeed, it reimburses only on the basis of the Social Security tariff, which may be insufficient in countries where medical costs are more expensive than in France. It will therefore be up to you to pay the remaining amount, which can be very high in some countries. In addition, the EHIC will often require you to have to complete long and tedious procedures to obtain your reimbursements, an activity that will certainly not be your favorite when you return from vacation!
In any case, the European Health Insurance Card will not cover your repatriation costs in the event of serious health concerns requiring your immediate return to France. To go on holiday in Europe with peace of mind, we recommend that you take out travel insurance. In addition to covering your medical costs at 100% of the actual costs from the first euro spent, a travel insurance contract will cover useful travel assistance guarantees, such as repatriation.
Social security for holidays in the rest of the world
If you are traveling to a country outside the European zone, Social Security may decide to cover some of your medical expenses, but this is not an obligation.
On the Ameli.fr site, it is clearly indicated:
"In view of the supporting documents, the medical advisor from the medical service of your health insurance fund will assess whether or not you were in an emergency situation and, depending on the case, will or will not grant reimbursement for your treatment. Please note: this is a possibility, not an obligation.
If agreed, the treatment will be reimbursed on the basis and within the limit of the French flat rates in force (and not on the basis of your actual expenses).
In case of refusal: no dispute is possible. "
You will understand, it is better to leave with peace of mind and take out travel insurance, which will cover your medical costs at 100% of the actual costs, as well as other guarantees such as repatriation or civil liability.
Discover our Globe Traveler contract, which insures you for your travels around the world at 100% of the real costs.
Social security and studies
Social security for Erasmus studies
If you are going to discover another European country for a semester or a year of study under the Erasmus program, it is important to be well insured in case of health concerns during your stay.
As with any other stay in the European Union, you can obtain the European Health Insurance Card before your departure, which will allow you to benefit from cover in the same way as a local. In the event of medical costs, you can be covered directly or you can pay the costs upfront, depending on the legislation in force in the country. It is then up to you to send your medical documents and form to obtain a reimbursement.
In addition to long and complicated procedures to obtain reimbursement, the European Health Insurance Card will not take
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