Every legal resident is entitled to health insurance
Whether you're an employee, student, job-seeker or not working, if you're legally resident in France, you're entitled to the Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMa). This right is tied to your residence on French territory, not your nationality. Registration is done with the Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM) in your département.
Documents to prepare before you apply
Gather in advance: your valid residence permit (or passport with long-stay visa if you've just arrived), proof of address less than 3 months old, your ID document, and depending on your situation: an employment contract, a university enrolment certificate, or any document proving your regular presence in France. Also download form S1106 from ameli.fr before applying.
How long does it take?
CPAM legally has 30 days to process your registration file. In practice, count on 4 to 8 weeks. Once registered, your carte Vitale arrives within 3 to 6 additional weeks. In the meantime, you receive a paper attestation of rights — this document is accepted by all health professionals as a substitute for the carte Vitale.
What if CPAM doesn't respond or refuses your registration?
Registration refusals are rare but possible — particularly if your residence permit is being challenged or your file is incomplete. If you haven't had a response after 6 weeks, send a recorded letter. If you're refused, you can refer the matter to CPAM's Commission de Recours Amiable within 2 months.
While you wait: how to access healthcare?
Don't skip medical appointments while waiting for registration. With your provisional attestation of rights, you can see a doctor. If you're not yet registered and need urgent care, the Aide Médicale de l'État (AME) may cover you if your income is modest.