Why Take Out a Top-Up Health Plan as an International Student in France?
Arriving in France as an international student automatically enrols you in the French Assurance Maladie — one of the world's most comprehensive public health systems. But the Assurance Maladie alone does not cover everything: it reimburses an average of 70% of standard medical costs, and far less for dental care (30 to 70%) and optical care (almost nothing without a complementary plan).
A complementary health insurance plan (mutuelle) covers what the Assurance Maladie does not: the co-payment (30% of the base rate), specialist fee overruns (médecin secteur 2 and 3), dental prostheses, glasses and contact lenses, and in some cases psychology and osteopathy sessions.
Without a mutuelle, a student can end up paying:
- €30 or more for a single GP appointment outside the standard fee schedule
- €200 to €1,500 for a non-reimbursed dental crown
- €100 to €600 for corrective glasses
- Several hundred euros for hospitalisation in a private room
Understanding the French Reimbursement System
Before choosing a mutuelle, it is essential to understand how the two-tier system works:
Tier 1: Assurance Maladie (State Social Security)
The Assurance Maladie reimburses part of medical expenses according to fee schedules set by the State. These reimbursements are called the "mandatory portion" (part obligatoire).
| Type of Care | Assurance Maladie Reimbursement |
|---|---|
| GP consultation (sector 1, €27 fee) | 70% → €18.90 |
| Specialist consultation (sector 1, €30–50) | 70% |
| Listed medications | 15 to 65% depending on the drug |
| Hospitalisation | 80% (+ daily hospital fee of €20/day not covered) |
| Standard dental care | 30 to 70% |
| Optical care | Almost nothing without top-up |
Tier 2: The Mutuelle (Complementary Health Insurance)
The mutuelle reimburses all or part of what the Assurance Maladie does not cover, depending on the plan's guarantees. This amount is called the "remaining charge" (reste à charge).
The Main Student Health Insurance Providers in 2026
LMDE — La Mutuelle Des Étudiants
LMDE is a long-standing student mutual insurance, approved as a complementary solidarity health plan. It is run by a team dedicated to students and offers specific services including mental health support.
LMDE strengths:
- Strong on-campus presence (physical offices in university cities)
- Mental health coverage: reimbursement for psychiatry and psychology consultations
- "100% Santé" compliant offers for glasses and dental prosthetics
- 24/7 medical assistance helpline
- Student-negotiated rates through a partner network
LMDE Indicative Prices 2026:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | €9–12 | Co-payment, basic hospitalisation |
| Comfort | €18–22 | + Optical (€100/year), Dental (€200/year) |
| Optimal | €28–35 | + Specialist overruns, Optical (€300/year), Dental (€400/year) |
LMDE weaknesses:
- Dental and optical caps on entry-level plans can be more restrictive than competitors
- Reimbursement processing can be slower than fully digital providers
HEYME
HEYME (born from the merger of SMENO and MEP) is a student mutual that prioritises flexibility and digital services. It also offers home and mobile phone insurance bundles.
HEYME strengths:
- Among the most competitive prices on the student market
- Simple digital interface with fast reimbursements (48 hours as advertised)
- Plans modifiable online without fees
- Some plans include coverage during internships abroad
- Highly rated mobile app
HEYME Indicative Prices 2026:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Start | €8–11 | Co-payment only |
| Balance | €15–19 | + Optical (€100/year), Dental (€150/year) |
| Serenity | €25–32 | + Overruns, Optical (€300/year), Dental (€350/year), Psychology |
HEYME weaknesses:
- Less physical presence on campuses than LMDE
- Psychological care limited on entry-level plans
Alan
Alan is a French insurtech that is 100% digital, not specifically aimed at students but accessible to this population. It stands out for its polished user experience and a mobile app available in multiple languages.
Alan strengths:
- Intuitive mobile app with real-time reimbursement tracking
- Interface partially available in English (helpful for international students)
- Fast reimbursements (under 24 hours for simple claims)
- No commitment period
- Teleconsultation with a doctor included
Alan Indicative Prices 2026:
| Plan | Monthly Price |
|---|---|
| Alan Blue | €17–22 |
| Alan Green | €28–35 |
| Alan Silver | €40–55 |
Alan weaknesses:
- No physical offices (can be a challenge for complex initial affiliation situations)
- Higher price point than LMDE/HEYME for equivalent coverage at entry level
April Santé Individuel
April is a health insurance broker distributing mutuelle products tailored to specific situations, including expatriates and international students.
April strengths:
- Plans specifically designed for international students in France and French students abroad
- Option to cover care in other countries (useful for visits home)
- Personalised guidance from advisers
April prices 2026: Variable by profile (request an online quote at april.fr).
2026 Comparative Summary Table
| Criterion | LMDE | HEYME | Alan | April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level price | €9–12/month | €8–11/month | €17–22/month | On request |
| On-campus presence | Yes | Limited | No | No |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes | Excellent | Yes |
| Mental health coverage | Yes (from Comfort) | Limited | Yes (from Blue) | On request |
| Coverage abroad | No | Some plans | No | Yes |
| Fast reimbursement | 3–5 days | 48h | < 24h | Variable |
| English interface | No | No | Partial | No |
Complémentaire Santé Solidaire: The Best Option If You Qualify
Before subscribing to a paid mutuelle, check whether you are eligible for the Complémentaire Santé Solidaire (CSS), formerly CMU-C + ACS.
The CSS is a free (or near-free) complementary health cover offered by the State to people with low incomes. For those slightly above the income threshold, a symbolic annual participation of approximately €1 applies.
Monthly income thresholds for free CSS in 2026:
| Household size | Monthly threshold (free CSS) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | ~€900 |
| 2 people | ~€1,350 |
| 3 people | ~€1,620 |
The CSS covers the co-payment, dental and prosthetic care, optical care, and hospitalisation with no upfront costs. If you are eligible, it is substantially better than any paid student mutuelle.
How to apply: Log in to your personal account on ameli.fr, then navigate to "Complémentaire Santé Solidaire".
How to Subscribe to a Student Mutuelle
Subscription is generally done online in a few minutes:
- Compare plans on a comparison website (LeLynx.fr, Lesfurets.com, Assurland.com).
- Choose the plan that matches your needs and budget.
- Subscribe online: you will need your Social Security number, bank details (IBAN), and proof of university enrolment.
- Provide your Social Security number to enable direct electronic billing between the Assurance Maladie and your mutuelle (tiers payant).
- Receive your third-party payer card (carte de tiers payant) within 7 to 10 days.
With the tiers payant card, you generally do not pay upfront at the GP or pharmacy — the claim is handled directly between your mutuelle and the healthcare provider.
Official Resources
- Ameli.fr — Student Rights: ameli.fr
- Complémentaire Santé Solidaire: complementaire-sante-solidaire.gouv.fr
- LMDE: lmde.fr
- HEYME: heyme.fr
- Alan: alan.com