3 March 2008
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Press the French Government to reconsider its retrospective changes that will deprive British citizens of medical treatment."
Details of Petition:
"There is enormous concern amongst British residents in France about changes being introduced to the French state health system. Significant changes are being applied retrospectively to British citizens who diligently complied with the law in place at the time they arrived in France. Even those currently receiving treatment for serious medical problems will find themselves deprived of it The French government is implementing EU Directive 2004/38 by refusing newly arriving EU citizens the right to join the French health scheme. Non-working persons below state retirement age will be required to take out private health insurance. Until now, those currently living in France have been treated in the same way as French citizens, joining the state CMU (Couverture Maladie Universelle) scheme and paying contributions. Now, they have until 31 March 2008 when their membership of CMU will cease. Full private health insurance will now be necessary even though it does not currently exist in France, where it has been illegal. Those with an existing life-threatening condition, such as cancer,heart disease, or chronic illness will find private companies exclude these from cover."
Read the Government’s response
We are pleased to announce that the French government has acted upon representations made by the British Government and the British expatriate community, and has decided to allow inactive EU nationals - both those who were registered in the CMU and those who were an E106 holder before 23 November 2007 - to access healthcare via the CMU.
The new rules requiring inactive EU nationals from other countries living in France after 23 November 2007 to seek private cover still apply, but will now not retrospectively affect people already resident in France before that date.
The French social security authorities have now issued guidance to help people establish their healthcare access via their local CPAMs. This advice (in French) can be viewed via: http://www.securite-sociale.fr/comprendre/europe/europe/cmu_inactifs.htm