Insurance and healthcare

Three types of insurance are mandatory for international students in France:
 
  • Health: Social Security - Sécurité Sociale. Complementary health insurance - a mutuelle - is also highly advisable
  • Civil liability - Responsabilité Civile
  • Housing insurance - Assurance logement
Social Security

Social Security for non European Students

If you are a non European student, you must sign up for French Sécurité Sociale coverage as soon as you arrive.

Social Security for European students

If you are a European student, you first need to be covered by the health insurance from your home country. You will need to ask for your European Health Insurance Card before coming to France and be sure it covers the entire stay in France. If yes, no need to register to the French Social Security.

To register for French Social Security

NB if you are student who has come to Centrale Nantes for an internship and are not enrolled as a student here you are not entitled to social security. You will need to subscribe to a private health insurance.

Some examples below:
 
Complementary Health Insurance

Social Security only covers 70% of all medical expenses. A mutuelle reimburses some or all of the difference (for medical consultations, medicine, etc). In Nantes, there are three main providers: Harmonie Mutuelle, Yvon and LMDE. 

You may also be eligible for the Complémentaire Santé Solidaire, more information here.
 

Civil Liability

Civil liability insurance is compulsory.

It covers you for damage you cause to others in your private life and as part of your student activities.

You should note that civil liability coverage covers you against damages to third parties but not necessarily to yourself, so, remember to take out suitable health insurance.

Mutuelles and banks can all provide civil liability insurance, so do not hesitate to add it to your existing contract.

Some examples of insurance providers: MAAF, Macif, Groupama
Published on April 17, 2018 Updated on November 15, 2022