The Social Security
Social Security in France: An Essential Right for International Students
Social security in France is a social protection system that covers part of the costs related to health care, such as medical consultations, medication, and hospitalizations. However, it is often necessary to subscribe to a supplementary health insurance plan (also called a "mutuelle") to cover the full cost of health care, as social security does not reimburse 100% of the costs.
Social Security for European Students
European students can benefit from the French social security system through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card allows them to access medical care in France, with partial reimbursement of health care costs. To be fully covered, students must subscribe to a supplementary health insurance plan.
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Who is eligible? All students from European Union (EU) countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.
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Additional condition: The student must have a valid residence permit to benefit from the coverage.
Social Security for Non-European Students
Non-European students are required to register for student social security. Since 2019, they are automatically affiliated with the general social security system. However, this coverage does not reimburse the full medical costs, which is why it is strongly recommended to subscribe to a supplementary health insurance plan to complement the coverage.
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Who is eligible? All non-European students enrolled in a higher education institution in France.
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Additional condition: The student must have a valid residence permit to be affiliated with social security.
Why is Social Security Important?
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Access to Medical Care: Social security allows students to access medical care at a lower cost, but full reimbursement is not always guaranteed without supplementary health insurance.
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Financial Protection: In case of illness, injury, or hospitalization, social security covers part of the costs, but to avoid additional expenses, a supplementary health insurance plan is necessary.
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Legal Requirement: For international students, being covered by social security is a legal requirement to comply with French authorities and enjoy certain rights, such as the ability to work.
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Access to Reimbursements: With supplementary health insurance, students can be reimbursed 100% for medical care, specialized consultations, and certain pharmaceutical expenses.
The CAF
The CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) is a French public organization that provides financial aid to tenants, including students, to reduce their rent costs. Programs like APL (Personalized Housing Assistance) and ALS (Social Housing Allowance) can significantly lower the monthly expenses for international students.
Who is eligible for CAF Assistance?
All students, including international ones, can apply for housing aid if they meet certain conditions:
- Renting an apartment, student residence, or shared accommodation.
- Having a rental contract in their name.
- Holding a valid residence permit.
- Not being fiscally dependent on a French household already receiving housing aid.
How does StudinFrance help?
Applying for CAF can be complex, especially for international students. StudinFrance guides you through the entire process:
- Eligibility Check: We inform you about the assistance you qualify for and the required steps.
- Document Preparation: We help you gather the necessary documents (rental contract, residence certificate, ID, bank details, etc.).
- CAF Account Creation: We guide you step by step to complete your online application correctly and avoid errors.
- Follow-up & Reminders: We ensure your application is processed smoothly and intervene if additional documents are requested.
- Handling Rejections: If your application is denied, we help you understand the reasons and make necessary corrections if possible.
Why apply for housing assistance?
- Reduce your monthly rent expenses
- Financial aid available from the first month of your lease
- A fully online process with expert support
These support services are part of StudinFrance’s service offering.
At StudinFrance, we assist you with all the steps related to registering for social security, subscribing to a supplementary health insurance plan, and applying for CAF (housing allowance). We help you choose the best solution based on your needs and guide you through the administrative process to ensure you are quickly covered and supported in France.
📅 Schedule an appointment with our service for personalized assistance.