Social Security in France

Social Security

Dissimilar to other European countries, social security is not an additional expense for international students in France. It is free for all students, whether French or international. It is also a part of students self-care in France. Students not having the card can check this to get one.

Health insurance is a must for international students, and they should get it as soon as possible after their academic registration. The card is free for all students. Those students (EU and French) already registered with the social security of France should not apply for the same.

International students (the ones staying for much less than three months, and college students enrolled in institutions which can be not part of the French social safety system) receive a temporary social security number, which gives them access to the health care system of France, however, they still need to pay the medical bills and get it reimbursed later.

Student on long-term visas gets their final social security number. It gives them free access to all medical services they avail. Remember, health insurance is mandatory for everyone in France. In France, the cost of private insurance can range between € hundred and fifty to €550, and it covers about 70% of the medical bill. For personal insurance, you can check this: https://heyme.care/fr.

La Mutuelle des Étudiants:

Multirisk Tenant Insurance

It is imperative for students to get their homes insured towards risks like theft, water, fire, and damage. It applies to both landlords and tenants. Multirisk home insurance covers home, appliances and sundry damages.

Opening a Bank Account

France has a policy for bank accounts that states everyone must have a bank account. It is for international students too. Getting a bank account is part of self-care in France for international students. Opening a bank account is straightforward in France and has a minimum of paperwork. Any student can open an account in the bank after submitting the necessary documents. However, it is not feasible for short-stay international students as they have to bear the processing fee in euros. Short-stay students can check with the bank about account opening requirements. Banks have alternatives for them.

The bank asks for three documents to open an account.

  1. Passport.
  2. Visa de lengthy séjour ('long-live visa') serving as a titre de séjour ('house permit') (VLS/TS).
  3. Proof of address (gas, electricity, landline invoice or a rent receipt). When a student does not have address proof, he can use his institution's international student affair department address as proof.

Some financial institutions ask for a replica of the applicant’s signature to confirm the account holder's authenticity to ensure a smooth process of any cheque in the future.Before opening an account, it is advised to students that they check the availability of their home bank branch in France as it gets easier to open an account this way, possibly, before you land in France.

If it happens, the home bank branch gives copies of account information to the respective student. After arrival in France, they can collect the check and cards from the relevant bank branch.