How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in France?

In 2025, the average individual international health insurance plan in France was USD $4,213 (around EUR €3,578), while a family plan cost USD $11,597 (around EUR €9,867). Health insurance costs fluctuate yearly and are affected by variables like age, provider, coverage level, and other factors. 

Are you an expat moving to France? Are you unsure of what the average premium is for health insurance in the country? The insurance experts at Pacific Prime have created this guide to help you understand what you can expect to pay. 

We will explain the average health insurance cost for expats in France, the French health insurance system, factors that affect health insurance costs, and more. Keep reading to learn more about health insurance in France, or visit our website for a free health insurance quote!

Start by Comparing
Insurance Plans Online

Browse and Compare 50,000+
International Health Plans

Compare NOW

Health Insurance Costs in France for Expats

Health insurance costs in France will vary for different expats depending on whether they have a public or private health insurance plan. The costs associated with the French public health insurance (l’assurance maladie) are based on income or payroll deductions. 

Public Health Insurance Costs in France

Employed expats in France enrolled with public health insurance will have their monthly contributions automatically deducted from their monthly salary. Self-employed or nonemployed expats will have their contribution based on their income. 

Expats enrolled in the French public health insurance will also be required to pay part of their medical service costs. Hospital and doctor visit costs may be reimbursed up to 80%, but expats will be required to pay out of pocket for the remainder of the bill.

Private health insurance, often called mutuelle in France, can help cover these out-of-pocket costs. 

Private Health Insurance Costs in France

In 2025, the average individual international health insurance plan in France was EUR €3,578, while a family plan cost EUR €9,867. Private health insurance (mutuelle) costs vary depending on your plan and other factors.

Private health insurance plans can be purchased from local or international health insurance providers. Local health insurance providers may be less expensive than international health insurance providers, but they don’t offer the benefit of being globally portable. 

Private health insurance rates rise annually, with Pacific Prime’s data showing us around a 11.81% increase in individual health insurance premiums from 2022 to 2025. 

Comparing France Health Insurance Costs to Other European Countries

France’s average international health insurance costs are less expensive than in Spain, but more expensive than in other European countries like Romania. The table below illustrates the cost of private health insurance in France compared to other European countries. 

Families can expect to pay different costs for their health insurance premiums depending on where they are in Europe as well. We have compared average costs of family health insurance premiums in the table below.

These average costs are proprietary data collected by Pacific Prime through their experience with helping expats find health insurance solutions that work for them.

The French Health Insurance System

France’s health insurance system consists of public health insurance (l’assurance maladie) and private health insurance. All residents in France are eligible for the public health insurance if they work or live in France for the long term. 

Expats and residents of France often choose private health insurance to help cover the out-of-pocket costs leftover from the public health insurance, making it a key part of the French health insurance system.

Is Health Insurance Mandatory in France?

Health insurance coverage is mandatory for expats who are residing in France long-term as part of their visa application. Expats can use private health insurance to fulfill this requirement, and then switch to the public health insurance after three months in the country. 

Factors That Affect Health Insurance Costs in France

Factors that affect health insurance costs in France can include age and health history, coverage level of your plan, your deductible, and more. Public health insurance and private health insurance will have different factors that affect their costs for expats. 

• Your Age: Your age will affect your insurance premium due to insurance providers charging more for older individuals. This is due to the higher financial risk associated with insuring older individuals. 
• The Number of Your Dependents: The number of dependents in your household (if you have them) will directly affect your insurance premium by increasing it per dependent. 
• The Coverage Level of Your Plan: Plans with high levels of coverage and high annual maximum limits will always cost more than basic plans that only offer emergency coverage. This includes plans with specialized coverage like outpatient and vision, and dental. 
• Your Deductible: Whether you choose a low, medium, or high deductible will directly affect your premium. Your deductible is the amount the policyholder pays before the insurance company begins to pay. High deductible plans cost less than low deductible plans.
• Your Health History: Your health history, including any pre-existing conditions, will affect your health insurance premiums. Some insurance providers won’t cover your pre-existing condition, or if they do, they will at a higher premium. 
• Your Income: For public health insurance, your monthly contributions will depend on your income. Employed expats will have their monthly contributions taken out of their paychecks, while self-employed expats will have to pay based on their income. 

To learn more about the factors that affect the cost of health insurance, download our guide, The Cost of International Health Insurance Report 2024.

How to Reduce Private Health Insurance Costs in France

Expats in France interested in securing a private health insurance plan can help keep their annual or monthly premiums affordable by comparing plans from different providers, customizing their coverage, and choosing a high-deductible plan. 

1. Compare a Variety of Plans from Different Providers

Compare a variety of plans from different private health insurance providers before you choose a plan. You may find a plan that has higher coverage for a better price than one from a different health insurance provider. You can use free quote tools to help compare plans more efficiently. 

When comparing separate plans, make sure you analyze the geographical coverage, annual limits, benefits covered, and exclusions. Take your time with this step so you don’t miss any key points. Comparing plans can help you find the most affordable solution for your health insurance needs. 

2. Customize Your Health Insurance Coverage

Don’t pay for coverage you don’t need, and customize your coverage in your health insurance plan. Are you unsure if you’ll need vision coverage? Don’t choose a plan with vision riders. If you don’t think you’ll need outpatient coverage, choose inpatient-coverage-only plans. 

3. Choose a High-Deductible Health Insurance Plan

Choosing a high-deductible plan can lower your annual or monthly premium. With a high-deductible plan, the insurance company will pay less upfront and shift more of the financial risk to the policyholder. This can help keep your health insurance premiums more affordable. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

What is the cost of international health insurance for France? 

In 2025, the average individual international health insurance plan in France was EUR €3,585, while a family plan cost EUR €9,867. The price of international health insurance premiums fluctuates annually and is affected by variables like age, provider, coverage level, and other factors. 

Is healthcare expensive in France for expats?

Healthcare expenses for expats in France may be high or low, depending on their health insurance coverage and the medical services received. Expats with both public and private health insurance coverage will pay less out of pocket for medical services than those with only public health insurance. 

Can expats access free health insurance in France?

Expats cannot access free health insurance in France, as even the government-subsidized l’assurance maladie health insurance plan requires monthly contributions. Public health insurance does cost less than private health insurance in France.

Kickstart Your Search for the Perfect Insurer

Compare over
50,000 Plans
from Top Insurers

Compare NOW

Conclusion: 

The cost of health insurance in France is dependent on your plan type and other factors. Expats who want to purchase international health insurance can expect to pay around EUR €3,585 for an individual plan and around EUR €9,867 for a family plan.

Are you ready to begin shopping for your private health insurance plan for France? Contact the insurance experts at Pacific Prime. We partner with a diverse range of top international health insurance providers in France and across the globe. 

We are brokers with over 20 years of experience in providing insurance solutions to expats and digital nomads worldwide. We can help you understand insurance quotes and plans and offer our unbiased advice. If you’d like to compare plans on your own, feel free to use our free quote generator. 

If you’d like to read more helpful guides on health insurance costs for expats, check out our articles below: 

• How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Portugal?
• How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Italy?

• About
• Latest Posts

Serena Fung

Head of Content at Pacific Prime

Serena Fung is the Head of Content at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 6+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.

Latest posts by Serena Fung (see all)

• The Top 15 Best Places To Live In Dubai in 2026 - August 20, 2026
• A Complete 2026 Guide to Travel Insurance in Hong Kong - August 7, 2026
• A 2026 Expat’s Guide To Tanjong Pagar, Singapore - August 6, 2026