Health coverage in France (PUMa) is a right based on work or stable residence — after 3 months of stable, regular residence for non-workers. The carte Vitale is the card that makes reimbursements automatic; until it arrives, paper feuilles de soins work.

Éligibilité / Qui est concerné

Workers from the first job day; non-workers after 3 months of stable residence; students via the dedicated CPAM student path; non-EU nationals need a regular stay.

Étapes

Request affiliation at the CPAM of the department — newcomers typically file the Cerfa 15763 (demande d'ouverture des droits) with pièces, or via etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr for foreign students.
Receive the numéro de sécurité sociale provisoire, then the définitif.
Create the compte ameli, order the carte Vitale (photo + ID upload).
Declare a médecin traitant to avoid reduced reimbursements; consider a mutuelle (complementary insurance) — the CPAM covers only the base part.

Pièces justificatives

ID/passport + titre de séjour or visa, acte de naissance (translated by a traducteur assermenté if foreign — see ../pieces/pieces-justificatives.md), justificatif de domicile, RIB, proof of work or of 3 months' residence.

Délais et échéances

Expect weeks-to-months for the numéro définitif; the carte Vitale follows. Keep every feuille de soins for retroactive reimbursement.

Portail / Où faire la démarche

ameli.fr (compte ameli) and the local CPAM; foreign students: etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr. Free.

Pièges connus

Waiting for the carte Vitale to see a doctor — coverage exists before the card.
Foreign birth certificates rejected for lack of a sworn translation.
Skipping the médecin traitant declaration (lower reimbursement rate).

Sources

service-public.gouv.fr — « Protection universelle maladie (PUMa) » (checked 2026-07)
ameli.fr — « Vous venez vivre en France » (checked 2026-07)

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