France travel insurance for U.K nationals

Disclaimer : Our offer does not apply to UK residents.

Do I need travel and medical insurance to visit France from the U.K.

If you are a U.K. citizen wishing to travel to France after Britain’s departure from the European Union, you will still not need a visa to travel to the Schengen Area if you plan on staying for fewer than 90 days, as the country currently has visa-free travel arrangements with France and the other EU and non-EU countries in the Schengen Zone for short-term visits. However, if you are planning on staying longer in the country you will need a visa and so will require travel insurance as a condition of obtaining your visa.

This means that travel and medical insurance are not a necessity for British citizens visiting France for short trips, but it is recommended as you may not be covered for all treatment and mishaps. From end 2025 you will need to apply via the new ETIAS system authorization before you visit the Schengen Area.

There are, however, some changes to Britain’s arrangements with the EU that affect travel to France. For example, although existing European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) covering you for medical costs remain valid after Brexit, British citizens will now have to apply for a different document, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if they want to be covered for basic and necessary healthcare in EU countries like France. As the GHIC will not necessarily cover all medical treatment or mishaps, it is a good idea to get travel and medical insurance that covers you for more extensive medical costs, especially if you’re planning to be active and adventurous during your stay in France.

Non-U.K. nationals living in Britain who wish to travel to France

If you are traveling from the U.K. but are a citizen of a country without a visa-free travel arrangement with the European Union and Schengen Zone, you need to apply for a Schengen Visa for visits lasting fewer than 90 days, meaning you will need travel insurance covering you for medical and repatriation costs up to €30,000 that is valid in all Schengen states Schengen states, including France. It is essential to obtain insurance and a certificate before applying for your French Schengen Visa.

Applying for longer term visas to France

Before Britain left the EU, U.K. nationals had the right to live and work within other EU states for as long as they wanted - but now will have to apply for residency in France, meaning they will need to obtain or register for health insurance when moving to France.

Registering for healthcare in France

Those moving to France as permanent residents must register for state healthcare and can sign up for top-up health insurance if desired. If you are a legal resident in France after three months, you can get a French social security card for healthcare (known as a carte vitale). To get a French social security card, you will need to register with your local Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM), who will tell you the required documents you will need to submit with your application. You can take out additional private medical insurance on top of state healthcare should you wish.

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