My wife and I are planning to stay in France for an extended period of time, and hope to get our carte vitale in the near future. I just heard a podcase of an English couple living in France who had their carte vitale cancelled because they did not turn in some required form (they called it a "titre", whatever that refers to) after a period of time (I assume one year after getting their initial carte vitale). does anyone know what form must be turned in to keep the carte vitale in force, and where does one get the form? Trying to plan for the future. Peter
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
498 posts
Hi Peter,
The Carte Vitale is the health care card that you get once you are in the French health care system. Before you can aquire a carte vitale, you would need some form of tires/carte de séjour. Here's a good place to start: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N110
It lists all the different type of "cartes" depending on your visa type (or whatever your right to reside in France may be.)
Posted by
France Southwest
3204 posts
I assume they're talking about the "Titre de Séjour" that certifies residence in France. You cannot keep your Carte Vitale if you no longer live in France regularly and stably.
It's one of the mandatory requirements for having a French Social Security ID (either being born in France or working in France).
Once you have a social security number you get a Carte VItale (which is just a card, like a credit card)
Posted by
OP
290 posts
Thanks for the replies. I think the podcaster did indeed mean a Titre de Sejour. How does one get this Titre? Is there some department in France which is in charge of this, and do they have a form we have to fill out? Thanks.
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
498 posts
You will first need to determine how you will reside in France. Will you need a visa (https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/requesting-a-visa/)? Are you an EU citizen or a partner of an EU citizen? Are you a French citizen or partner of French citizen? Once you've determined your path to residency, then you will aquire the appropriate titre. The first website I linked to discusses the different types, which may be helpful to you as you do your research. All information can be found on the official French govt website. Happy researching!
Posted by
France Southwest
3204 posts
The official procedure for obtaining a residence permit (Titre de Séjour) for the first time is explained here:
https://www.titredesejour.fr/obtenir-un-titre-de-sejour-francais-pour-la-premiere-fois/
There are several types of residence permits you can apply for, depending on your reasons for coming to France.
The supporting documents you need will depend on these reasons.
I assume you'r asking for a temporary residence :
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F302?lang=en
But this is an administrative matter, not a travel one.