Insurance for entry to France: who needs it, rules for different visa categories, and where to buy it?

Every year, France welcomes thousands of Ukrainians - tourists, students, professionals and those seeking temporary protection. However, for a comfortable and safe trip, it is important to consider one of the key conditions for entry - the availability of health insurance. Find out more about who needs insurance in France, what are the requirements for policies in 2025, and where it is most convenient to get them

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

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France is one of the most popular countries for travelling, studying and working among Ukrainians. To make your trip safe and meet the requirements of the French authorities, you need to have health insurance.

Who exactly needs insurance to enter France, what are the requirements for policies, where they can be purchased, and what are the peculiarities for different categories of travellers - we will tell you further in the article.

France for Ukrainians in 2024: about emigration, visas, residence permits and work permits - read here.

Detailed information on what you need to know before moving to France can be found here:

- Travelling to France for tourism purposes;

- Working in France;

- Immigration to France;

- Study in France;

- Temporary protection in France.

Protect yourself while travelling!

Apply for travel insurance online in 5 minutes on Visit Ukraine!

Who needs insurance to enter France?

Health insurance is mandatory for most categories of people entering France:

- Tourists applying for a short-term visa (type C) must have a policy that covers a minimum of €30,000 in case of emergency medical care.

- Students travelling to study on long-term visas (type D) must take out health insurance both for the application process and for the entire period of stay. Read here how to extend your stay in France after your student visa expires in 2025 .

- Employees with work visas must confirm that they have insurance covering the entire period of work and stay in France.

Do I need insurance when travelling on a visa-free regime?

Although it is not required to present an insurance policy at the border when travelling on a visa-free regime with a biometric passport for a period of up to 90 days, it is highly recommended to have insurance. In case of illness or accident, medical care in France can be very expensive. An insurance policy protects you from unforeseen expenses.

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Local state insurance for refugees

Ukrainians who apply for temporary protection in France have access to the French state healthcare system (Protection Universelle Maladie). This type of insurance covers most medical expenses, but it is available only after the status is granted, which takes time. It is advisable to have private insurance until you receive it.

For more information on how to obtain a residence permit in France after the termination of temporary protection, please follow the link.

Green Card for a car to enter France

For those entering France by private car, an international car insurance - Green Card - is required. It confirms that the car has valid liability insurance coverage abroad.

Read here to find out whether Ukrainians need to take out local motor insurance in France.

On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can apply for a Green Card online in just a few minutes.

General requirements for insurance policies for travelling to France

For short-term trips, including tourist visas for up to 90 days, the insurance policy must meet the Schengen requirements. It must have a cover of at least EUR 30,000, cover all Schengen countries and include expenses related to emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation. The policy must be valid for the entire period of stay.

For long-term trips, such as study, work or family reunification, proof of long-term healthcare coverage in France is required. This can be either private insurance taken out prior to entry or joining the public health insurance system upon arrival.

For more informationon the cost of living in France, please follow the link.

What kind of insurance can I get in France?

Upon arrival in France, certain categories of people, such as students and employees, can obtain local insurance through the French healthcare system. Although it provides extensive coverage within the country, its main disadvantage is that it is not valid outside France. In addition, it takes time to become fully eligible for public healthcare, and the system often requires partial payment by the patient.

An alternative is to take out a policy through Ukrainian insurers, for example, through the Visit Ukraine portal. This allows you to get full coverage that meets the requirements of French law without having to wait for documents to be processed in France. This option is convenient, fast and favourable in terms of price.

Read more about generic drugs in France: how to choose medicines here.

What does the insurance cover that can be issued at Visit Ukraine?

When choosing an insurance policy for a trip to France, it is important to understand what risks are covered by different insurance options. Visit Ukraine offers both medical and travel insurance policies that meet all the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and provide financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances during your stay in France.

Health insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal

The health insurance policies available on Visit Ukraine provide comprehensive protection during your stay in France, including emergency medical care, COVID-19 treatment, and reimbursement of transportation costs in case of emergency.

The Europe Classic policy provides basic coverage:

- Emergency outpatient and inpatient care.

- Diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 if medically indicated.

- Coverage for medical transportation to the nearest medical facility.

- Insurance in case of an accident.

- Emergency dental care.

- Costs of repatriation of the body in case of death abroad.

The Europe Classic Plus policy provides extended coverage, including all the benefits of the Classic policy with additional services, such as

burial arrangements abroad and extended protection in case of emergency.

Travel insurance on the Visit Ukraine platform

If you are planning a short-term trip to France, you can choose from a variety of travel insurance options with different levels of protection.

The Europe Basic policy includes:

- Treatment and diagnosis of COVID-19.

- Medical assistance in case of an accident.

- Repatriation of the body in case of death.

- Emergency medical, obstetric and dental care.

- Medical evacuation in case of emergency.

Europe Comfort policy provides extended insurance coverage and additionally includes:

- Expenses for defence of the insured person's rights and legal advice.

- Compensation in case of flight delay or cancellation.

- Coverage of expenses for restoration of documents in case of their loss or theft.

- Protection in case of loss of luggage.

The most comprehensive coverage is offered by the Europe VIP policy, which, in addition to all the above services, includes

- Legal protection in the event of an accident.

- Organisation of delivery to the destination in case of car breakdown.

- Comprehensive support in case of loss or theft of documents.

How much does insurance cost on Visit Ukraine?

Health insurance

Travel insurance

Why is it worth taking out travel insurance for a trip to France on Visit Ukraine?

- A wide range of insurance programmes adapted to the different needs of travellers - from tourist trips to long-term stays.

- Instant online registration.

- Affordable tariff plans with transparent pricing conditions and no hidden fees.

- Round-the-clock customer support to help you solve any situation during your stay in Germany.

- Guaranteed quality of insurance services from trusted companies.

Are you planning a trip, study or move to France or another European country?

On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can get an official insurance policy that meets all the requirements of the Schengen area in a few minutes. This is an ideal option for tourists, students, employees and those travelling on a visa-free regime.

Take out health insurance and travel with confidence!

Just a reminder. The French government will soon introduce temporary border controls with neighbouring countries to eliminate security risks. Find out what you need to know before planning a trip to or through France here.

Photo: iStock

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

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