What is Universal Health Protection (Puma)?

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

Financial contribution for some Puma beneficiaries

The Law of 30 December 2025 on the financing of Social Security for 2026 provides for the introduction of a financial contribution for Puma beneficiaries who fulfill three conditions:

  • Reside in France in a stable and regular
  • Being without professional activity
  • Not be liable for the CSG: titleContent , the CRDS: titleContent and health insurance contributions under an international convention.

A decree is expected to be issued on the amount of this financial contribution.

An update of this page will be made when the decree is published.

In the meantime, the information presented on this page remains valid.

Universal health protection (Puma) allows health care costs to be covered without disruption of rights. This means that this care is provided even in the event of a change in professional, family or residence situation. To qualify for the Puma, you must work or reside in France on a stable or regular basis. We present you the information to know.

If you work or reside in France on a stable and regular basis, the Puma guarantees you a right to cover your health costs, in your personal capacity and on an ongoing basis throughout your life.

The Puma also allows you to stay in the same health insurance plan, including in the event of a change in employment status (e.g. loss of employment) or personal status (e.g. separation).

Any periods of breach of your rights are thus avoided.

You are affected by the Puma if you work or reside in France on a stable and regular basis.

Unlike a minor, if you are of age, there is no need to be attached to an insured person.

Major

You are of full age without professional activity, you have the right to be covered by your health care costs in a personal capacity.

There is no need to be attached to a qualifying insured. Indeed, an adult can no longer be entitled since the establishment of the Puma.

You are insured individually as soon as you reach the age of majority.

You can choose to:

  • Collect refunds on your own bank account
  • Receive your own refund statement
  • Have your own Ameli account.

Thus, you benefit from a better confidentiality of the information on the health costs covered.

Minor

If you are a minor, you continue to have the status of a right holder. In practice, you are attached to one of your parents.

However, it is possible to apply for Puma in a personal capacity from the age of 16.

FYI  

This status of right holder ends the year you turn 18.

There are 2 conditions related to the regularity of the residence and the stability of the residence. These 2 conditions are cumulative.

Regularity of residence

By being national of the European Economic Area and Switzerland, you have the right to move and reside freely in France. An ID or passport is enough.

However, if you are a national of another country, you must have a residence permit or document.

Stability of the residence

This criterion will depend on whether or not you are working:

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Exercise of a professional activity

If you work and your Puma application is accepted, you are immediately enrolled in the Health Insurance.

Without the exercise of a professional activity

Once in France, you must wait 3 months before seeing your rights open.

These rights remain open if you live in France for at least 6 months of the year.

Warning  

This condition of stability of the residence (3 months) is met without delay for some people. Examples: refugees, people returning to France after a international volunteering abroad, persons who perceive theDisabled Adult Allowance (DAA), orSupplementary Disability Allowance (Asi).

To make your application for entitlement, you must first complete a form:

Application to open the rights to the Health Insurance

Please note

Any person who deliberately refuses affiliate or who insists not to engage the steps for his compulsory affiliation to a social security scheme is punishable by imprisonment of 6 months and a fine of €15,000 (or only one of these penalties).

Yes, the Puma can be withdrawn if you no longer meet the conditions of stability of residence or regularity of stay.

Thus, for example, you must spontaneously declare your departure abroad. To do this, you complete this form.

Declaration of transfer of residence outside France

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