Registering an employee with the French social security system
Registering with the French social security system is an integral part of the hiring process. It facilitates access to healthcare, reimbursement of healthcare expenses and all social protection rights for employees working in France.
In a nutshell
- Registering with the social security system is mandatory for all employees working in France, regardless of nationality.
- It grants access to social security benefits and reimbursement for healthcare expenses.
- The employer submits a pre-employment declaration (DPAE), which triggers the mandatory social security formalities.
- If the employee has never been enrolled, an application to establish entitlement is required. The employer can initiate this process.
- A social security number is assigned to the employee, which then enables them to obtain a carte vitale (health insurance card).
What is enrolment in the social security system?
Enrolment in the social security system means registering a person with the French social security system. It enables employees to benefit, from the start of their employment contract, from coverage for the following risks:
- Workplace accidents and occupational diseases.
- Illness and maternity.
- Disability and death.
- Retirement.
This enrolment is based on the allocation of a social security number, which is essential for the reimbursement of healthcare expenses and the calculation of social security benefits.
What are the conditions for receiving coverage?
To be eligible for healthcare coverage, a person must meet one of the following conditions:
- Work in France, regardless of nationality.
- Residein France legally and for at least three months.
Special case: employees posted to France
According to European regulations and certain bilateral agreements, foreign employees on assignment in France for their employer based abroad may, under certain conditions, remain affiliated with the social security system of their country of origin.
Who carries out the registration process?
Any firm hiring an employee in France must submit a pre-employment declaration (DPAE) to URSSAF (the French social security agency).
This declaration:
- Is mandatory.
- Must be completedbefore the start of employment,at the earliest eight days prior to recruitment.
- Enablesthe employee’s information to be sent to social security organizations.
The pre-employment declaration must be completed on this page.
If the employee has already been registered in France and already has a social security number, the pre-employment declaration is sufficient to ensure they continue to receive their coverage.
Without prior registration, a specific enrollment and coverage activation process must be completed.
If the employee has never been enrolled, an application to establish entitlement is necessary.
This situation applies in particular to:
- Newly arrived foreign workers.
- Certain seconded employees becoming residents in France.
- Accompanying family members withoutemployment.
Employers established abroad
A firm headquartered abroad, without a subsidiary in France, but employing at least one person in France, must declare and pay its social security contributions to the relevant organization dedicated to foreign businesses.
URSSAF Alsace
National Center for Foreign Businesses – CNFE
67945 Strasbourg Cedex
Further information
How to access french health insurance rights?
An online registration process for employers
Registration can be completed online by the employer. This allows for a simplified application process, without the need to travel, and a smoother administrative procedure.
This online process applies to foreign employees recruited in France and their accompanying family members.
If you cannot register online, a paper application can be submitted using form S1106, “Application for Health Insurance Coverage”. This application must be sent by mail, along with the necessary supporting documents, to the relevant CPAM (Primary Health Insurance Fund).
- CPAM(Primary Health Insurance Fund) in mainland France.
- CGSS (General Social Security Fund) in the overseas departments and regions (Guadeloupe,Martinique,French Guiana, Réunion).
- CSSM(Mayotte Social Security Fund) in Mayotte.
From the first day of the contract, the employee is covered by the French social security system. Rights can be retro-actively updated, allowing for the reimbursement of healthcare expenses incurred before the final assignment of the social security number.
However, obtaining a social security number and a carte vitale (health insurance card) significantly simplifies the reimbursement process.
To establish entitlement to health insurance, the following documents are generally required:
- Copy of passport.
- Proof of residence for nationals outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland.
- Birth certificate with parentage information, translated by asworn translator.
- Marriage certificate, if applicable.
- Bank statement.
- Proof of address.
- For employees:payslipor employment contract.
Accompanying family members are covered by social security from the first day of the primary employee’s contract, particularly with a “Talent” residence permit.
The family’s application for coverage can be submitted at the same time as the employee’s, using the same online form.
For “talent” permit holders and their families, the CPAM in Paris (Primary Health Insurance Fund) centralizes the applications.
Good to know
Certain documents, including birth certificates, must be obtained from the relevant foreign authorities before arriving in France. Employers are advised to encourage their employees to begin these procedures early to avoid delays in registering with the French social security system.
Further information
What is a social security number?
After reviewing your file, the relevant health insurance fund will issue a temporary social security number. This number enables you to:
- Complete administrative procedures.
- Receive reimbursements for healthcare expenses.
The temporary number grants the same rights as a permanent number, except for third-party payment.
Once the permanent number is issued, you can create your Ameli account (the French National Health Insurance’s online personal account) and apply for your carte vitale (health insurance card).
Did you know?
The social security number is the registration number in the National Register for the Identification of Individuals. It consists of 13 digits and enables the insured person to obtain benefits under health insurance, maternity insurance, etc.
What is the role of the carte vitale?
The carte vitale is a smart card that certifies affiliation with the French social security system and contains all the insured person’s information (identity, social security number, health insurance plan, etc.).
It is issued free of charge by the Health Insurance system, but employees must request it through their Ameli account. It allows for:
- Automatic reimbursement of healthcare costs.
- Direct billing for certain services.
- Reduced administrative procedures.
- Dependents tobe added to the system.
The carte vitale has no expiration date but must be updated regularly. It is also available in digital format via the “carte vitale” mobile application.
If the card is lost or stolen, you can report the incident online and obtain a new card.
Good to know
Employees can register their child on their health insurance card. This can be done from their Ameli account under: My procedures > “Register your child on the carte vitale”.
At a glance
This page explains the steps for registering an employee with the French social security system. It is based on institutional sources such as ameli.fr, securite-sociale.fr, URSSAF and Business France. It presents information covering the key steps, from the pre-employment declaration to the opening of rights and the allocation of a social security number. It uses the example of an employee recruited in France who has never previously been registered with the French social security system.