Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

France Expat Forum

American with French Wife - Insurance/Visa

New Topic Newest First
bill33021
  9/25/2017 09:50 EST

Hi,

I looked in the forum and could not find an answer.

I am 63 years old American going to retire in France in a a couple of years. My wife is a French national.

We are trying to find out what kind of health insurance I need to purchase in order to get:

+ a short stay visa
+ long stay visa
+ residency permit

We are not sure if I have to get all the visas to get the residency permit.

The insurance requirement is also very confusing.

Do I need private insurance?

When would I receive French insurance?

Thanks for your help in advance.

pleasehelpsarl
  9/25/2017 10:45 EST

Hi Bill,

we provide some insurance for 3 months that allows you the time to get yourselves sorted when you arrive in France.

let me know

John
pleasehelp.fr

French Riviera House Hunting - FRHFrench Riviera House Hunting - FRH
Connect

We are the best possible negotiator to help our expatriate clients to safely, efficiently and effectively find the right property in the right place in the French Riviera. Whether buying or renting, French Riviera House Hunting's objective is to find the best place for you, making sure that there are no hidden problems in the acquisition or renting process!

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

French Riviera House Hunting - FRHFrench Riviera House Hunting - FRH

We are the best possible negotiator to help our expatriate clients to safely, efficiently and effectively find the right property in the right place in the French Riviera. Whether buying or renting, French Riviera House Hunting's objective is to find the best place for you, making sure that there are no hidden problems in the acquisition or renting process!
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

bill33021
  9/25/2017 11:16 EST

So are you saying because I am married to a French national, I would only need private insurance for 3 months?

Then what happens?

BW

pleasehelpsarl
  9/25/2017 14:37 EST

you get French health rights

John Dislins
pleasehelp.fr

RubyTooz
  9/26/2017 06:29 EST

Hi Bill,

In general, you'll need health insurance that covers you for your duration in France. You will need to show proof of this insurance at the time you apply for the visa at the French consulate closest to your home. Since your wife is French, however, you will apply for a family visa rather than a short/long stay tourist visa. Within two months of arriving in France, you'll go to the préfecture with your wife and the visa in your passport to get your 'titre de séjour' or residency permit.

Your wife can go to the local CPAM office upon arrival and fill out the CNAMTS 736 with her old social security number (if she has one). You will be covered as her dependent under the French public health insurance system PUMa. This will take a couple months, but you'll be able to cancel your private insurance (if the policy allows) once your wife receives her 'attestation de droits' which shows you as a dependent.

We wrote a blog on this topic a while back https://www.renestance.com/blog/french-health-insurance-for-everyone/ and you can also contact me directly if you have more questions.

Dennelle
www.renestance.com

French Riviera House Hunting - FRH
French Riviera House Hunting - FRH

French Riviera House Hunting helps you find the perfect home in the French Riviera.
Learn More

French Riviera House Hunting - FRHFrench Riviera House Hunting - FRH

French Riviera House Hunting helps you find the perfect home in the French Riviera.
Learn More

Living in France GuideLiving in France Guide

Guide to Living in France covering expat life, local culture, finding a home, diversity and more.

France Forum France Forum
Join our France forum to meet other expats and talk about living in France.

Contribute to France Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in France.

Best Places to Live in France Best Places to Live in France

If you're thinking about living in France, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in France in 2023.

Healthcare in FranceHealthcare in France

Expats often ask if health insurance is free in France or if you need health insurance to go to France. Here is basic information about the French healthcare system.

Cost of Living in FranceCost of Living in France

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in France.

Moving to FranceMoving to France Guide

Expats all over the world dream of someday making France their next destination. As with other countries, there is a lot of planning involved, and a lot of decisions to be made.

Real Estate in FranceReal Estate in France

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in France.

Pros Cons of Living in FrancePros & Cons of Living in France

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in France.

Retiring in FranceRetiring in France

Advice for people retiring in France.

10 Tips for Living in France10 Tips for Living in France

If you've recently arrived in France, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in France.

French Riviera House Hunting - FRH
French Riviera House Hunting - FRH

French Riviera House Hunting helps you find the perfect home in the French Riviera.
Learn More

French Riviera House Hunting - FRHFrench Riviera House Hunting - FRH

French Riviera House Hunting helps you find the perfect home in the French Riviera.
Learn More

Contribute to France Network Contribute
Help others in France by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in France.

Universal Tax Professionals
Universal Tax Professionals

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal