Emergency Numbers & Access
Call SAMU (15) for medical emergencies or 112 (EU-wide). Pompiers (18) also respond to medical emergencies. ER waits: officially 141 minutes average but real-world waits of 4-8+ hours are common in major city hospitals, particularly in Paris and Lyon.
Response time: 10-20 minutes in cities, 30-60+ minutes in rural areas
Cost: Public ER: €20-50 (triage fee). Ambulance: €100-300+. Hospitalisation: €500-2,000+/day without insurance.
Healthcare System
France has a universal healthcare system ranked among the best in the world by the WHO. It operates through Sécurité Sociale (Social Security) funded by employer and employee contributions. Patients typically pay upfront and are reimbursed 70% by the state, with the remainder covered by optional "mutuelle" (complementary insurance). Visitors without EHIC or mutuelle face full out-of-pocket costs. Rural areas increasingly suffer from "déserts médicaux" (medical deserts) with severe GP shortages.
Designed for: All legal residents. PUMA coverage after 3 months.
GP Access & Costs
Médecin traitant (declared GP) for best reimbursement. Direct access possible but at higher cost.
Typical wait: Same-day to 1 week in cities. 2-6 weeks in rural "déserts médicaux". Specialists: 1-3 months.
Availability: Good in Paris and major cities. Severe shortages in rural and suburban areas — many GPs refuse new patients. Use Doctolib app to find available slots.
GP Visit
€26
Private GP
€26.50 (Sector 1, 70% reimbursed) to €60-120+ (Sector 2, minimal reimbursement)
ER Without Insurance
ER visit: €100-500+. Ambulance: €100-300. Hospital stay: €500-2,000+/day. You will be treated — billed afterwards.
Medication
Medications classified by medical importance: vital (100% covered), important (65%), moderate (30%), low (15%). Without insurance, expect to pay full pharmacy prices.
Health insurance is required for visa
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon–Sat 9am–7pm typical. Pharmacie de garde (duty pharmacy) operates nights, weekends, and holidays on rotation — check local listings or call 3237.
OTC: Pharmacists are highly trained and the first point of contact for minor ailments. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, and many common drugs available OTC. Some antibiotics available without prescription in practice.
Controlled substances: Controlled substances (e.g., codeine, benzodiazepines, ADHD medication) require a French prescription. Travellers must carry a Schengen certificate for personal supplies of narcotics or psychotropics — obtainable from your home country authority.
Practical Tips
- Download Doctolib — the essential app for booking GP and specialist appointments in France
- Call SOS Médecins for urgent house calls evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Pharmacies (green cross sign) can assess minor issues and recommend treatment — visit them first
- EU/EEA citizens: bring your EHIC/GHIC card for public healthcare access
- Keep all receipts (feuille de soins) for insurance reimbursement claims
- Call 3237 to find the nearest pharmacie de garde (duty pharmacy) at night or on weekends
What are the emergency numbers in France?
SAMU (medical emergency): 15, Police: 17, Fire/Rescue (Pompiers): 18, EU-wide: 112. The Pompiers (fire brigade) also respond to medical emergencies and are often faster than SAMU in rural areas.
Is healthcare free in France for visitors?
EU/EEA visitors with EHIC are covered for public healthcare but must often pay upfront and claim reimbursement. France reimburses about 70% of standard costs — the remainder (ticket modérateur) is your responsibility. Non-EU visitors need travel insurance.
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Sources: Ameli.fr, Ministry of Health France, CDC Travelers Health 2025, DREES Health System Report 2024, Service-Public.fr
Last reviewed: March 2026 by Gewardz Health
Further Reading
EHIC, GHIC & E111: Free Healthcare in Europe
How to use EHIC in France — the reimbursement process and what is covered.
Read guideHealthcare in Spain
Compare France with Spain — another top European destination with EHIC coverage.
Read guideHealthcare in Germany
See how Germany's dual public-private system compares with France.
Read guide