THE CARTE VITALE

The key to receiving any reimbursement of medical expenses is a form of insurance card, called a carte Vitale, which contains your personal social security number.

This green card is used to track all the expenses that you incur in the French healthcare system. You will be required to present it at each visit to a general practitioner or specialist, and when you collect prescriptions at your local pharmacy.

Your card must be updated at least once a year at the machines provided in town halls, hospitals and some pharmacies. It should also be updated if you change your address or when other family members are added.

Your carte Vitale contains administrative information on your identity, your vehicle’s licence plate number, the health insurance scheme which you belong to, the organisation that administers this scheme and your right to universal healthcare coverage.

Find out more about the new carte Vitale on the Assurance Maladie website (in French), including information on how to update your card and use it to obtain reimbursements.