How does healthcare in France work for travellers and tourists?

If you need medical care while visiting France, understanding how the French healthcare system operates can help you access treatment safely. In this episode, we explain urgent care pathways, emergency services, and what EU travellers should expect.

In this episode, we cover:

• How France’s public healthcare system functions

• The role of general practitioners (médecins généralistes)

• When to attend hospital emergency departments (urgences)

• Emergency numbers: 15 (SAMU) and 112 (EU-wide)

• Using the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

• When private travel insurance is recommended

• Accessing pharmacies (pharmacies de garde) and prescription regulations

• Reimbursement processes for visitors

•  ...