Healthcare in Paris
Healthcare in Paris, as in greater France, is exemplary, and if often flagged as a benchmark for both developed and developing nations. The World Health Organisation (WHO) rated it as the best in the world, and both locals and internationals regularly
attest to high standard care received in an efficient and affordable manner.
Expats living in Paris will find a comprehensive network of public and private healthcare facilities available, and for those contributing to French social security or officially recognised as having reached retirement age in their home country, the state-sponsored public insurance system will cover at least 70 percent of healthcare costs.
What’s more, for the chronically ill, the state will cover 100 percent of healthcare costs. It’s merely necessary to register at your nearest local social security office to get a health care (carte vitale).
That said, many expats in Paris still prefer to take out supplementary private insurance to cover the remaining 30 percent of costs, and to finance the “finer” things (like private hospital rooms). There are fewer health insurance service providers in the nation than in many other countries, and expats can expect monthly payments to amount to roughly 130 per month, depending on your choice of plan.
Expats are free to choose their preferred doctor in Paris, most of which will practice privately, but will uphold rates negotiated by the national government. A few may extra-bill, or charge above and beyond this, especially if they are specialists addressing a niche medical matter.
Hospitals and clinics in Paris
Central Paris houses the Hospital de la Pitie Salpetriere, which is a world renowned institution. For those whose French is poor, The American Hospital of Paris on the Western periphery is recommended, as most of the staff speak English.
The Paris emergency service is called SAMU (Service d'Aide Médicale d’Urgence) and is available at the European emergency call number of 112 or at 15. The fire service (pompiers) can be called for any emergency at 18.
