The E111 form, which provides British citizens with
free or reduced-cost medical treatment within France, is only valid until December 31 2005.The E111 will be replaced by the
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), this
is a plastic card valid for between three and five years,
it works in much the same way as the old E111
form, which entitled you to free medical treatment in France for up to three months but only for emergency treatment.
An EHIC can be obtained by ticking a box
on your existing E111 or by filling in a form. For more
information call 0207 210 4850. As soon as you take up a job or have
had a state pension transferred (contact D.S.S.
for more information), you need to be registered
with the French Social Security. If you are
retiring, please see Retirement/Transfer of
pension.
NB: There are specific regulations for
registration with the social security if you
work in France:
- For less than 12 months for an employer
based in the UK
- As self-employed
- And members of your family have their
residence in the UK
- And in any other member state at the same
time.
Please contact
D.S.S. – Overseas
Branch
EU Office Longbenton
Newcastle
upon Tyne NE98 1YX
tel: 0191 213
5000
1/ Make sure any doctor or
dentist you consult is "conventionné" e.g. works
with the French sickness insurance scheme. The
local Caisse de Sécurité Sociale keeps a
list of the doctors who charge the official
social security rate. You should apply for
reimbursement of your expenses to your local
Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie
(CPAM).
2/ If you are given a
prescription, take the "vignettes" (detachable
stamps) off the medicine containers, stick them
on the "feuille de soins" and send this along
with the prescription to your local CPAM to
apply for a refund.
3/ French social security
cover for medical treatment is only partial and
it may therefore be wise to take out insurance
to cover excess charges you will incur should
you need treatment. ("mutuelle" ou
"complémentaire maladie" – contact insurance
companies for subscription).
4/ Hospital treatment: If
you get treatment in an approved hospital then
the Caisse de Sécurité Sociale will pay direct
80% or more of the costs to the hospital. You
are liable for the balance and the fixed daily
hospital charge (forfait journalier).
For further information on sickness benefits
and maternity benefits, please contact the
D.S.S., EC Section (see address
above).