Social Security - General Organisation

Citizens of non-EU countries must have a residence permit to be able to sign on to the French Social Security register.

There are several mandatory schemes in France.

• general scheme for employees, covering about 80% of the population
• self-employed scheme, for the professions
• agricultural scheme, for persons earning their living in farming
• special schemes for some specific categories such as domestic staff.

General scheme: This scheme covers sickness, maternity, occupational accidents, invalidity, old age and survivors’ pensions, death, family benefit, unemployment benefit and retirement.

When you start work in France, your new employer will register you with the URSSAF (the administrative body responsible for collecting social security and family benefit payments).

This body manages the various Social Security schemes and unemployment benefit. Social Security contributions vary depending on how much you earn and are deducted at source. They are split between a contribution by the employer and a deduction from the worker’s wage. Once you are registered, you will receive a Social Security membership certificate with your Social Security number and a ‘Vitale’ card. You must then find the CPAM (national health insurance office) for your neighbourhood, which will become your main partner in dealing with the Social Security scheme.

Occupational accidents and occupational diseases

This insurance covers all accidents that occur at the workplace, while travelling, and occupational diseases. If an accident occurs, your employer must be informed as soon as possible, with all the information (names and addresses of any witnesses). This insurance covers medical care, pays daily allowances, and in certain cases, pensions.

Invalidity insurance

This insurance makes up for loss of income for individuals who can no longer work at full capacity. These are the criteria that qualify a worker to receive such insurance:

• at least 2/3 disability;
• under 60 years old (beyond this age, the old age pension applies);
• registered with the Social Security and paying contributions to it;
• agreeing to undergo all medical examinations.

Old-age and survivors’ insurance

There are 2 kinds of old-age insurance: those involving contributions (including old age pension) and those not involving contributions.

Coverage for students

Students from EU/EEA countries do not need to register with the French Social Security system as they are already covered in their home country.
For some countries that are not part of the EU/EEA, there are reciprocal agreements with France providing coverage. Please check with the social services in your country or the educational authorities. If your country does not have agreements with France and you are staying for longer than 3 months, you have to register with Social Security.

You are eligible for the student scheme if:

• You are under 28;
• You are studying at an institution affiliated to the French social security system

In this case, you can register with one of a number of bodies (consult our directory) when you start the school year. Your spouse and children are automatically covered. You can also take out supplementary insurance through the same body, which will pay for that part of the medical expenses not covered by the general scheme.

If you do not fit into the above categories, there are two options available:

• CMU (Universal Sickness Coverage): this is free of charge if you meet certain criteria (low income, limited resources).
• Private insurance: this is more expensive than the student scheme.

Self-employed worker

If you are self-employed, you must register with the self-employed ‘autonome’ scheme at the URSSAF and make all the payments requested.

Health insurance is provided by a special insurer called the CANAM (National Health Insurance Body for the Independent Professions). You must also pay into a retirement fund and invalidity funds, grouped together under the joint body known as CNAVPL (National Old-Age Pension System for the Liberal Professions).

Self-employed artists (designers, writers, photographers, illustrators, composers, etc.) with incomes that vary according to the royalties they receive must register with the AGESSA (Association for the Management of the Social Security).

Text last edited on: 03/2007

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2009
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