Published on: November 10, 2024 | By: @rprasanth_kumar
The Social Security system provides free access to the public health insurance coverage in France. This article covers the various frequently asked questions on SSN and Carte Vitale.
Table of Contents
- How do I get my social security number in France?
- Is your social security number on your carte Vitale?. How to find my social security number?
- How long does it take to get social security number in France?
- How long does it take to get social security number in France?
- Can foreigners get carte vitale?
- Do I need to activate my carte vitale?
- How long is a carte Vitale valid for?
- How to download social security certificate in France?
- Can I create an Ameli account with temporary social security number?
- What is the difference between temporary and permanent Social Security numbers in France?
- Is it possible to have a job contract in France without a Social Security Number?.
Q1: How do I get my social security number in France?
- You can get your French social security number by submitting the application form and the other required documents to your local CPAM office.
- The complete procedure has been explained in the article, How to Apply for a Social Security Number & Carte Vitale in France?.
- If you are a student, the initial application process is completely different. The following article explains this topic in detail. Social Security For International Students In France
Q2: Is your social security number on your carte Vitale?. How to find my social security number?
- Yes, the French social security number will be available on your Carte Vitale.
- If you do not have a Carte Vitale, you can find the SSN on your “attestation de droits” which can be downloaded from the documents section on the Ameli website.
Q3: How long does it take to get social security number in France?
- Normally, it takes 2-3 months for the temporary number and another 2-3 months for the permanent social security number.
- So, it can take approximately 6 months but sometimes even longer.
- However, you can start enjoying all the social rights after the creation of the temporary SSN.
Q4: Why does my French social security number have 15 digits?. Is a French social security number 13 or 15 digits?
- The French social security number “SSN” consists of 15 digits: 13 digits containing information such as the gender, year, month, and place of birth plus a 2-digit key number.
Q5: Can foreigners get carte vitale?
- Yes, all residents in France are eligible for a social security number and then a carte vitale. The process to obtain them has been explained in detail above.
Q6: Do I need to activate my carte vitale?
- Yes, after receiving your “carte vitale”, you must activate it by going to a local pharmacy and requesting them to complete an update of the card.
- This process must be repeated at least once every year. If not, the card will become inactive and the automatic reimbursements will stop.
Q7: How long is a carte Vitale valid for?
- The carte vitale does not have any expiry date.
- However, it must be updated at least once a year as explained earlier.
Q8: How to download social security certificate in France?
- You can download the French social security certificate known as “attestation de droits” from the documents section on the Ameli website.
Q9: Can I create an Ameli account with temporary social security number?
- Unfortunately, you have to wait until you receive the permanent social security number.
- Also, the first login to Ameli requires a temporary code and this can be obtained by calling the CPAM helpline How To Contact The French Health Insurance Organisations – CPAM?
Q10: What is the difference between temporary and permanent Social Security numbers in France?
- The temporary SSN has the same rights as the permanent SSN except the following 2 things, creating an Ameli account and applying a Carte Vitale.
- A permanent SSN is required for these steps.
Q11: Is it possible to have a job contract in France without a Social Security Number?.
- Yes, your employer can provide an employment contract even if you do not yet have your French Social Security Number.
- The employer will declare you to Social Security by means of the pre-declaration submitted prior to employment (DPAE) to URSSAF. This is a mandatory declaration.
Sources & References
- The French social security system for salaried workers
- Sécurité sociale d’un étudiant
- Demander votre affiliation à la sécurité sociale française
- Carte Vitale
- Feuille de soins
- Comment obtenir une attestation de droits (attestation Vitale)?
- Mutuelle or Complimentary private health insurance for students
- Couverture maladie complémentaire (mutuelle)
