Update on medical cover for inactive UK nationals resident in France (January 2008)

Following the concerns expressed by British expatriates regarding the right to benefit from the French state health insurance system (CMU), Jean-Pierre Jouyet, Minister for European Affairs, and his British counterpart, Jim Murphy, met on 15 November 2007 to discuss France’s transposition of Directive 2004/38/EC, which requires inactive [under retirement age and not working] EU nationals living in another EU member State to obtain health cover and have sufficient resources to ensure they do not become a burden on the social services of the host member State.

Following these talks, Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, Minister for Health, Youth and Sport, has clarified the situation in a letter to Sir Peter Westmacott, British Ambassador in Paris. She defines three categories of British inactive expatriates:

- British expatriates living in France already covered by the CMU can continue to benefit from this health insurance.
- Those who can produce evidence of their entitlement to sickness benefits under the NHS before 23 November 2007 (possession of a valid E106) continue to be eligible for French sickness benefits.
- However, the EU Directive will apply to all inactive British nationals who came to live in France on or after 23 November, date of its transposition.

PDF - 227.3 kb
Mrs Bachelot-Narquin’s letter to H.E. Sir Peter Westmacott
(in French)

Last updated: 31.01.2008