International student social security in France: EU with an EHIC or non-EU registering free on ameli, carte Vitale, reimbursements and the mutuelle.
As an international student in Bordeaux, your health cover depends first on where you are from. If you come from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, your CEAM (Carte Européenne d'Assurance Maladie — the European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC) is often enough and you don't need to register. If you come from outside the EU, you must register for free with the French student social security (sécurité sociale, France's public health insurance system) at etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr, to get your carte Vitale (health insurance card) and be reimbursed. In both cases, social security only covers part of your health costs: the mutuelle (complementary health insurance) is optional and paid, and it covers the rest.
First, the words: Sécu, carte Vitale, mutuelle
Three terms will follow you all year, so let's pin them down now:
- Social security ("la Sécu") — France's public health insurance scheme. It covers part of your health spending (doctor, medicines, hospital).
- The carte Vitale — the green card that proves your rights. Shown at the doctor or pharmacy, it triggers automatic reimbursement of the social-security share.
- The mutuelle (or complémentaire santé) — a private, optional and paid insurance. It reimburses the "reste à charge", the part social security does not cover.
Remember the logic: la Sécu covers a base, the mutuelle tops it up. One is your compulsory foundation of rights, the other is an optional extra.
Case 1: you're an EU, EEA or Swiss student
Good news: this is the simplest case. You request your CEAM/EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) from your home country's social-security body before you leave. As long as it is valid at least until the end of your academic year, your home body keeps covering your reimbursements in France.
With a valid EHIC, you do not need to register on etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr (ameli.fr). Just keep your card on you. If you have no EHIC or provisional certificate, an S1 form (attesting your health-cover rights from your home country) can also be issued to you.
Case 2: you're a non-EU student
Here a step awaits you, but it is free. You must register for French student social security on the dedicated portal:
- Register at etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr — the site is available in French, English and Spanish. Registration is free (ameli.fr).
- Complete your file with the requested documents (ID, residence permit, certificate of enrolment, French bank details/RIB).
- Receive a form to complete to request your carte Vitale and open your ameli account (your personal reimbursement space).
- Use your carte Vitale as soon as it arrives: your reimbursements become automatic.
EU or non-EU: the table that clears it up
| Your profile | Registration required? | What covers you | Carte Vitale |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU / EEA / Swiss student with a valid EHIC | No | Your EHIC (home-country body) | Not needed |
| EU / EEA / Swiss student without an EHIC | To check | S1 form or registration | Depends |
| Non-EU student | Yes, free on etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr | French social security | Yes, to request |
If you are unsure about your exact situation, the up-to-date reference is ameli.fr and service-public.gouv.fr.
How much does the Sécu reimburse, and why a mutuelle?
Social security never reimburses 100 % of your costs. It covers a base (say, part of a consultation fee), and a "ticket modérateur" is left for you to pay. The exact amounts and reimbursement rates change over time: we won't carve them in here — check them on ameli.fr.
That's where the mutuelle (complementary health insurance) comes in. Taking one out is optional: it's a choice, not an obligation. It is paid (a premium, often monthly), and in return it covers all or part of the remaining cost — useful if you wear glasses, need dental care, or simply want peace of mind. Offers vary hugely: compare the levels of cover, not just the price.
FAQ — Social security and health insurance for international students in Bordeaux
I'm a European Erasmus student — do I need to register with French social security? Usually no. If your EHIC is valid at least until the end of your academic year, it is enough and you don't need to register on etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr (ameli.fr).
I'm from outside the EU — is registering for the Sécu paid? No. Registering for student social security on etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr is free. Be wary of any site that asks you for money to do this.
Is the mutuelle compulsory? No, the mutuelle (complementary health insurance) is optional and paid. It tops up your social-security reimbursements, but you can study without one and simply pay the remaining share yourself.
When will I get my carte Vitale? After you register and send back the dedicated form with a photo and your RIB. Timing varies; meanwhile, reimbursements may be handled through your ameli account. Track progress on ameli.fr.
Do I need a French bank account to be reimbursed? Yes, a French RIB is required to receive your reimbursements. If you don't have one yet, start by opening a bank account.
With your health cover sorted, there's just the rest of your move-in to secure. Don't forget the CVEC, required to enrol, your student home insurance in Bordeaux, and find a verified student home in Bordeaux on Studroof.
This article is informational and does not replace official sources. Reimbursement rates and amounts change: always check your situation on ameli.fr and service-public.gouv.fr. Last updated: July 2026.