Navigating French Healthcare: How to Use Your UK GHIC in France
Planning a holiday in France? Your UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you access to state healthcare on the same terms as a French citizen. Here is exactly how it works, what it covers, and how to claim a reimbursement.
If you are a UK resident planning a holiday in France — whether you are exploring the historic streets of Nantes or relaxing near the coast in the Vendée — ensuring your healthcare is sorted before you travel is essential. While a French resident uses their trusty Carte Vitale, as a British visitor, your key to the French state medical system is the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
What is a GHIC and Does It Work in France?
Following Brexit, the GHIC replaced the old European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for most UK residents.
The good news: The GHIC works in France exactly like the old EHIC. It entitles you to access state-provided, medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay on the same terms as a French citizen.
Medically necessary care includes:
- Emergency visits to A&E (les urgences)
- Treatment for chronic or pre-existing conditions (such as oxygen therapy or asthma monitoring)
- Routine maternity care (provided you did not travel specifically to give birth)
How French Healthcare Costs Work (The "Patient Share")
One crucial detail to understand is that healthcare in France is rarely entirely free at the point of use. The French social security system (l'Assurance Maladie) reimburses a percentage of your medical costs, leaving the patient to pay the remainder — known as the co-payment or patient share (le ticket modérateur). Your GHIC covers the state's share, but you are still responsible for the patient's share.
| Type of Care | State Reimbursement | Your Share |
|---|---|---|
| GP / Specialist consultation | 70% of the regulated fee | ~€11 on a standard €30 visit |
| Hospital care | 80–100% | €23/day (forfait journalier) |
| Prescription medications | 15–100% depending on the drug | €0.50–€1 per box |
Step-by-Step: Using Your GHIC and Getting Reimbursed
Step 1: Find a State-Registered Doctor
Make sure you visit a public healthcare provider or a doctor registered as Secteur 1 (fully regulated state tariffs). Private clinics (cliniques privées) or non-conventionné doctors are not covered by your GHIC, and you will face high, non-reimbursable fees.
Step 2: Show Your Card and Pay Upfront
When you see the doctor or visit the pharmacy, present your physical GHIC. In most outpatient scenarios, you will be expected to pay the medical bill upfront. The doctor will then hand you a brown paper form called a Feuille de Soins (treatment form). This is your official receipt — do not lose it.
Step 3: Submit Your Claim in France
To get reimbursed while you are still in France, you must send your paperwork to the local health insurance office (CPAM — Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie) of the department you are visiting. You will need to post:
- The Feuille de Soins (signed by you)
- Copies of any prescriptions (ordonnances)
- A photocopy of your GHIC
- Your permanent UK address and bank details (including your IBAN and BIC/SWIFT code for a direct transfer)
Forgot to claim in France? No problem. If you return to the UK with your Feuilles de Soins, you can download a claim form from the NHS Overseas Healthcare Services website and claim your reimbursement back home.
What the GHIC Does Not Cover
A GHIC is incredibly useful, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance. It does not cover:
- Private medical treatment
- Mountain rescue (vital if you are skiing in the French Alps)
- Medical repatriation to the UK
- The non-refundable patient share co-payments
Always pair your GHIC with a robust travel insurance policy to keep yourself fully protected.
Forgot Your Card?
If you have an emergency in France and do not have your card with you, you (or someone acting on your behalf) can contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team at +44 191 218 1999. They can issue a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) directly to the hospital, granting you the exact same immediate coverage as the physical card.
This guide serves as a general introduction to the French healthcare system for UK visitors. Always verify the latest details via the official NHS or French Assurance Maladie portals before travelling.