French politicians have closed the loophole that currently allows British pensioners to access the country’s public healthcare system without charge.
The proposals passed through both chambers of parliament during recent Budget discussions and would require foreign retirees from outside the European Union to make minimum payments for their medical coverage.
The French Government has backed the initiative, meaning the changes could take effect as early as next year.
Under the amended legislation, only non-EU nationals who neither pay taxes nor contribute to other welfare programmes in France would face the new mandatory charges.
The exact amount of these contributions has not yet been set, with the Government expected to determine the figure at a later stage.
The existing rules permit non-working individuals from countries outside the EU to gain access to France’s public health system through a relatively straightforward process.
Those holding long-stay visas who can demonstrate annual income exceeding €23,000 and possess private medical insurance become eligible for a carte vitale after residing in France for three months.
This universal health card grants them access to publicly funded medical care.
Once they obtain the card, these foreign residents are able to terminate their private coverage and rely on the state system.
The arrangement has proved particularly attractive to American retirees in recent years, drawn in part by the country’s medical services.
France has moved to close a loophole letting non‑EU pensioners access public healthcare for free
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British pensioners receiving the UK state pension are expected to avoid the new charges because of a reciprocal healthcare arrangement established after Brexit.
Those with S1 forms, which allow the British Government to cover their medical costs in France, would likely remain exempt from mandatory contributions.
François Gernigon, the French MP behind the proposals, confirmed that British nationals holding S1 documentation should not be affected by the incoming rules.
However, the protections do not extend to all UK citizens living in France.
Britons who retired before reaching the current state pension age of 66 and support themselves through private pensions or personal savings would fall outside this exemption.
These early retirees would face the same new payment requirements as American and other non-EU pensioners.
Many expats have made the move to the south of France
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Mr Gernigon has framed the policy shift as an issue of parity between countries.
He said: “It is a matter of fairness. If you are a French citizen and you move to the US, you don’t have reciprocity, you don’t benefit from free social security”.
He also acknowledged the wider financial pressures facing the state.
He said: “In France, we have a health insurance system that is unique in the world, and is surely the best in the world. That is why we are in financial difficulty”.
France is currently working to reduce its budget deficit to five per cent of GDP by next year, the worst fiscal position in the eurozone.
Mr Gernigon noted that revenue from foreign contributions would not resolve the funding gap. He said: “This is not what is going to fill the hole in the social security budget”.
Government statistics from 2024 show that more than 8,400 Britons applied for first-time residency permits in France,
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GETTYWhile the precise contribution level remains undetermined, he suggested it would still represent a saving compared with private medical insurance in the United States or elsewhere, which he estimated at between €300 and €500 monthly.
Government statistics from 2024 show that more than 8,400 Britons applied for first-time residency permits in France, compared with 13,500 Americans.
An estimated 148,000 British nationals currently reside in France, though some calculations place the figure higher.
The situation differs from arrangements in the UK, where French citizens with settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme can access NHS care freely.
Non-EU nationals applying for British visas must pay an annual health surcharge of up to £1,035.