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 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:

 

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 several main providers:
 


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

More information for international students on the Campus France website

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

Infirmary

Health check-ups, vaccinations, injuries... a nurse is available on campus to listen to you and is your first point of contact for both preventive medicine and first aid.

The nurse manages the compulsory medical check-up for first-year students.

Do you have a disability or special needs?

The way Centrale Nantes is organised, and in particular the presence of a nurse on campus, means that you can be looked after individually. The nurse meets with students individually at the start of the new academic year to get to know them.

Learn more

Additional information sources

L'Assurance Maladie provides its partners and young people with online resources. Contents include simple, educational explanations (in French) to help you understand Assurance Maladie and its ecosystem, videos, quizzes and practical information to help you take control of your health.

Mes tips santé Instagram account:

Every week, Mes tips santé publishes simple, useful messages (in French) to help you get to grips with health topics: What's the Carte Vitale for? 5 good reasons to get tested for STIs? Should you always go to your GP? Quizzes, true or false Q&As etc. The aim is to provide fun, interactive answers to all the health questions a young person might have, by sharing the right information on rights and procedures, prevention and health system education.

Published on April 17, 2018 Updated on February 26, 2025