Applying for a healthcare card or “carte vitale”

The “carte vitale” simplifies healthcare cover and reimbursements. You can present this card at doctor’s appointments and at the pharmacy to have your healthcare expenses reimbursed. It is valid everywhere in France.

With the “carte vitale”, payment information is transmitted electronically to the organisation that manages your health insurance entitlements, known as the “caisse d’assurance maladie”. You will be reimbursed directly to your bank account, without you having to send any documents.

You must be registered in the state health insurance system called “Protection universelle maladie”, also known as social security or “sécurité sociale”.

You can apply for a “carte vitale” as soon as you receive your personal number known as your social security number or “numéro de sécurité sociale”.

There are two ways to apply for a “carte vitale”, either online or by post.

You will receive the “carte vitale” within approximately two weeks if you apply online, and three weeks if you apply by post.

Make sure that the information on the card is correct. If there is any error, report it to your “caisse d’assurance maladie”.

A few things to keep in mind once you have received your “carte vitale”:

• The “carte vitale” allows reimbursement of medical expenses within approximately one week. Once you have your “carte vitale”, take it with you to every medical appointment. You will receive the reimbursed amount straight to your bank account
• On the rare occasion a healthcare professional is not yet equipped to accept a “carte vitale”, they will provide you with a receipt called the “feuille de soins”. You can then send this by post to your “caisse d’assurance maladie” so that you can be reimbursed. The reimbursement periods can take up to one month.
• If you change banks, be sure send a new bank identity document known as “relevé d’identité bancaire (RIB)” to your “caisse d’assurance maladie” online on Ameli or by post.