Social security: how can a foreigner prove that he is in a legal situation in France?

Verified 13 March 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The situation differs depending on whether or not you are a national of an EU countryEuropean Economic Area or Switzerland:

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You are European (EEA or Swiss)

You have no no need to show a residence permit or document.

You are not European (outside the EEA or outside Switzerland)

If you aren't national of an EU countryEuropean Economic Area or Switzerland, you must demonstrate that you respect the condition of regularity of the stay.

This condition is reviewed on the day of your application.

To attest to the regularity of your situation, you can provide, as appropriate, one of the following valid documents:

  • Resident Card
  • Resident card marked "long-term resident - EU"
  • Permanent Resident Card
  • Multi-year residence card
  • Residence card with the words " skills and talents »
  • Temporary residence card
  • Residence card marked “retired”
  • Residence card with the words: " residence card of a family member of a Union/EEA/Swiss citizen - all professional activities »
  • Residence card with the words: " residence card of a family member of a Union citizen - all professional activities, except employees »
  • Residence card with the words: " Directive 2004-38/EC - Permanent residence - all professional activities »
  • Long-stay visa as a residence permit once it has been the subject of the procedure before the French Immigration Office (Ofii)
  • Residence permit issued to an Andorran national or to a third-country national who is a member of his or her family, mentioning the Convention signed on 4 December 2000 between the French Republic, the Kingdom of Spain and the Principality of Andorra on the entry, movement, stay and establishment of their nationals
  • Certificate of residence of Algerian national
  • Receipt for application to renew one of the titles mentioned above
  • Asylum application certificate
  • Receipt for an application for a residence permit as a residence permit bearing the words ‘ recognized refugee »
  • Receipt for an application for a residence permit as a residence permit bearing the words ‘ has been granted subsidiary protection »
  • Provisional residence permit
  • Monegasque passport bearing a mention of the Consul General of France in Monaco as a residence permit.

Please note

If you do not have one of these documents, you can communicate any valid personal document issued by the prefecture of your place of residence. This document must certify that you are registered in the application of management of the files of foreigners nationals in France.

If you fulfill the condition of regularity of stay, you can benefit from Social Security. You will be refunded part of the medical expenses: consultations, medicines, hospital expenses...

Warning  

If you are in an illegal situation, you cannot be attached to the general scheme on the basis of residence. On the other hand, you may benefit from thestate medical aid (MEA).

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