For tourists & expats
Travel insurance & medical reimbursement in France: getting your invoice right
Seeing a doctor in France as a tourist or non-resident means paying out of pocket first. The good news: most travel insurance policies cover this — but insurers are particular about what the invoice needs to say. Here's what you need to know before you submit a claim.
How medical reimbursement works in France for visitors
France's public health system (Assurance Maladie) reimburses French residents who have a carte Vitale. As a visitor, tourist or non-resident, you don't have one — which means you pay for medical consultations directly and in full, up front.
The reimbursement route for visitors is through your own travel insurance, private health insurance, or employer health scheme. After your consultation, you receive an invoice (in French: facture or note d'honoraires), which you submit to your insurer along with any other documents they require.
This process is standard and well-understood by international insurers — France is one of the most visited countries in the world and they handle thousands of French medical claims every year.
What your invoice must include
Insurers will not process a claim on the basis of a vague receipt or a WhatsApp screenshot. A valid medical invoice for insurance purposes should include:
Required invoice elements:
- The doctor's full name and professional registration number (in France: the RPPS — Répertoire Partagé des Professionnels de Santé)
- The date of the consultation
- A description of the service (e.g. "medical consultation", "téléconsultation médicale") and, where applicable, the billing code (in France: CS for standard consultation, TC for teleconsultation)
- The consultation fee and total amount charged
- Your name as the patient
- Confirmation that payment was made (or a separate payment receipt)
French Doctor provides all of these automatically in a PDF invoice after each consultation. The invoice is in the correct French format that international insurers are familiar with, and includes the doctor's RPPS registration number.
EU visitors and the EHIC / GHIC card
If you are a citizen of an EU member state or the UK and carry a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), you have the right to access French public healthcare at the same rate as French residents — meaning the public-system reimbursement applies. This is not the same as free care; you may still have a co-payment, and the card only works within the public system.
Importantly: EHIC/GHIC does not cover private consultations, including private teleconsultations. For any private consultation, you pay privately and claim through your own insurance.
Tip for US and non-EU travellers. Many US credit cards, travel cards and employer insurance plans include overseas medical cover. Check your policy before you travel — coverage limits and pre-authorisation requirements vary significantly. If pre-authorisation is needed for non-emergency consultations, contact your insurer before the appointment.
Do online / telehealth consultations qualify for insurance?
This is one of the most common questions — and the answer is yes, in almost all cases. An online consultation conducted by a French-licensed GP is a legitimate medical consultation that generates the same type of invoice and documentation as an in-person visit.
Most international travel insurance policies now explicitly cover telemedicine. The key requirement is that the consultation is conducted by a licensed, registered physician — not a chatbot or an app that auto-generates a prescription without a real clinical assessment. French Doctor's consultations are conducted by GPs who are registered with the French medical council (Ordre des Médecins) and hold an RPPS number, which is what insurers look for.
If your insurer has specific questions about the type of consultation, we can provide a letter explaining the clinical process on request.
Pharmacy receipts and prescription costs
The consultation invoice covers the doctor's fee. If you also buy medication at a French pharmacy, keep the pharmacy receipt (ticket de caisse) — this is a separate document that you may be able to submit alongside the consultation invoice, depending on your policy. Some pharmacies can also print a more detailed receipt on request.
Need a consultation and a proper invoice?
French-licensed GP. Itemised invoice issued automatically — ready to submit to your travel insurer.
Start on WhatsApp Or see consultation options & prices →Frequently asked questions
Can I claim a private doctor's consultation in France on travel insurance?
Most travel insurance policies cover medical consultations abroad, including private ones. You pay up front and submit an itemised invoice afterwards. Some policies require pre-authorisation for non-emergency consultations — check your terms before your trip.
What documents do I need to claim medical expenses from travel insurance in France?
Most insurers require a dated, itemised invoice with the doctor's name and registration number (RPPS in France), a description of the service, the amount paid, and a payment receipt. French Doctor provides all of these automatically after each consultation.
Does French social security reimburse tourists for medical consultations?
French social security reimburses residents with a carte Vitale, and in limited circumstances EU visitors using an EHIC/GHIC within the public system. It does not reimburse private teleconsultations. For private consultations, reimbursement comes through your own travel or private health insurance.
How long does travel insurance reimbursement usually take?
Processing times vary by insurer — typically 7–21 business days for straightforward claims submitted with complete documentation. Claims submitted with missing documents often take longer or are rejected. Submitting the correct invoice from the start avoids delays.
Private consultation with a French-licensed GP. Itemised invoice provided after each consultation for private insurance reimbursement. We do not bill French social security directly.