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France seeks to end free healthcare for foreign pensioners

2025-12-02 07:53:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

France seeks to end free healthcare for foreign pensioners

Foreign retirees who dream of spending their retirement in the sun on the French Riviera may have to reconsider their plans if their free healthcare is taken away.

France wants pensioners from non-EU countries who currently benefit from the public healthcare system to start paying for it.

It's a decision that could particularly affect American retirees, who have flocked to one of Europe's most generous welfare states not only for its food, scenery and culture but also, in some cases, for its free, world-class healthcare.

Under French law, non-employed citizens from outside the EU who have a long-term visa and can prove that they have sufficient income from pensions or capital (more than 23,000 euros per year), as well as private healthcare insurance, can, after three months, obtain a vitale card, which gives them free access to public healthcare.

At that point, they can cancel their previous private health insurance and take advantage of the French one. It has become a popular choice for American retirees in recent years. But most French lawmakers want to end this situation and force them to pay a minimum contribution.

This idea has already been approved in two branches of parliament this month during budget discussions and could come to light as early as next year, as the government has also supported it.

Under the latest version of the proposal, as modified by the French Senate, only non-EU citizens who do not pay taxes or contribute to other welfare programs in France will be forced to pay the new minimum contribution.

The debate comes at a time when France is trying to reduce spending and the budget deficit to 5 percent of gross domestic product next year. /CNA





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