Hospitalization: what are the patient's rights?

Verified 09 September 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

You have a number of rights when you stay in a health facility. These rights are defined in the charter of the hospitalized person. The summary of this charter can be found in the hotel's welcome booklet. We present you the main information to know.

You have rights listed in the charter as soon as you are supported by a health facility (public or private).

That is to say, in the case of:

Institutions must ensure wide dissemination of this charter or its summary.

You can for free obtain the charter, without delay, on simple request, from the service responsible for reception.

In addition, this charter is accessible on the website of the ministry of health.

The charter summary:

  • Is integrated into the welcome booklet that is given to you upon admission
  • Can be placed on the bedside tables of the rooms

This summary is posted in the most frequented places of the establishment by users (reception halls, waiting rooms, service corridors...).)

The charter of the hospitalized person present all of your rights and must be applied in all health facilities (hospitals, clinics...).)

Freedom of choice and access to care

You can choose the establishment that will take care of you, within the limits of the possibilities of each establishment.

Arrangements must be made for accommodating persons with physical, mental or sensory disabilities.

All facilities guarantee equal access to the care required by each person's health.

FYI  

Access to the public hospital service is guaranteed to the most deprived.

If you cannot justify coverage by the Health Insurance or by the State Medical Aid (AME), you are covered by the public hospital service for urgent care.

Except in exceptional cases, you can leave the establishment at any time after being informed of the possible risks to which you are exposed.

Right to information and consent to care

The information given must be accessible and fair. You have direct access to health information.

You can thus:

  • Participate in the therapeutic choices that concern you
  • Be assisted by a person of your choice.

A medical procedure cannot be performed only with your free and informed consent.

You have the right to refuse any treatment and to express your wishes regarding the end of life.

2 devices are provided to guarantee the expression of your will:

Please note

If you are involved in biomedical research, you are informed about the expected benefits of this research and the foreseeable risks.

Medical information is integrated into your medical record.

You have access to it. Other persons (your legal representative or, in the event of death, your rights holders) may also have access to them.

The consent of the minor must be sought if he can express his will and participate in the decision. The holders of parental authority (or the legal representative) take decisions concerning his health by associating him.

In some cases, the doctor may dispense with the consent of the holders of parental authority (examples: the minor comes to consult alone in the hospital without the consent of his parents or the refusal of care jeopardizes the health of the minor).

Quality of services (reception and care)

Healthcare facilities must:

  • Guarantee the quality of reception, treatment and care
  • Be mindful of pain relief
  • Ensure a dignified life for everyone, with special attention at the end of life.

Right to visits

The health facility guarantees you the right to receive every day any visitor of your choice.

The visitor is not obliged to inform the establishment in advance of his arrival. However, you can express your wish that he do so.

FYI  

A visit may be prohibited if it constitutes a threat to public order or a risk to your health.

This right to visits is also guaranteed if you find yourself at the end of life (in the advanced or terminal phase of a serious and incurable condition) or if your condition requires support and palliative care.

In these situations, the establishment defines the conditions of these visits to ensure compliance with the instructions to protect your health and that of your visitors.

Respect and confidentiality

You must be treated with respect.

Your beliefs (religious, philosophical or political), privacy and tranquility must be respected.

The same goes for your privacy.

Your personal, administrative, medical and social data are confidential.

Health personnel are subject to the professional secrecy.

You can answer the exit questionnaire provided with the welcome booklet.

In addition, you have several means to publicize the problems encountered and seek compensation in the event of damage.

Thus, in each establishment, a Users' Commission (CDU) ensure that your rights are respected.

In addition, it is possible to enter the medical accident conciliation and compensation commission (CCI) to obtain compensation for your loss.

Finally, recourse to the courts is possible. Depending on whether the alleged acts occurred in a public or private institution, it is the jurisdiction administrative or judicial which is competent.

FYI  

You have a period of 10 years from the consolidation damage to take legal action if you question the responsibility of health professionals or public or private health institutions during acts of prevention, diagnosis or care.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Health Info Rights

    Telephone line created by a collective of user associations to provide legal or social information related to health

    By phone

    01 53 62 40 30

    Price of a normal communication

    Open service:

    • Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2pm to 6pm
    • Tuesday and Thursday from 2pm to 8pm.

    By email

    https://www.france-assos-sante.org/sante-info-droits/

    The maximum response time by email is 15 days.