The indispensable
- Consult the website of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and register on Breadcrumb.
- Having insurance that covers repatriation and medical expenses on site.
- In case of chronic illness, all travellers must carry their medical records.
- Travel with the prescription for regular treatment under its international nonproprietary name (INN) and written in English if possible.
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Detailed information on each country, particularly regarding security and health (pre-departure recommendations, useful information and contacts), is provided on the website of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs:
Medical care, assistance and repatriation
Before any trip abroad, it is strongly advised to have repatriation/hospitalization costs insurance covering all risks and the geographical area concerned, and to check the coverage, the maximum limit of coverage and the validity of your assistance contract and your health insurance.
It is also recommended to register on the "Ariane" application of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, which offers to receive security and health alerts by SMS or email.
Health Insurance
For stays within the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, the European Health Insurance Card can be obtained online or from your health insurance provider.
For stays outside EU countries of less than six months: it is strongly recommended to take out insurance covering medical costs not covered by French health insurance.
For stays exceeding six months: it is essential to take out health insurance with the Caisse des Français de l'étranger (French Nationals Abroad Fund) or a private insurer. France has signed social security agreements with approximately forty countries and territories (see the Centre for European and International Social Security Liaison).
Information on the procedures and documents required to obtain health insurance when travelling can be found on the Health Insurance website, whether for travel within Europe or outside Europe.
Repatriation assistance
Travel assistance differs from health insurance (which covers medical expenses under certain conditions). Medical repatriation is one of the services included in an assistance contract.
For stays exceeding three months, it is recommended to take out a specific assistance contract.
For stays of less than three months, many assistance contracts are linked to home insurance contracts, vehicle insurance, or bank cards, but the limits can be quickly exceeded in the event of heavy or prolonged care in certain countries.
Most insurance policies include exclusion clauses in the event of chronic illness that has led to recent hospitalization within the last six months, including day hospitalization, which must be clearly stated in the information notice.
Medical file
Any traveler suffering from one or more chronic illnesses must bring with them:
- a medical report, translated into the language of the destination country or at least into English;
- the contact details of a local health facility or specialist physician, available on the website of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs or by checking before departure with your insurance/assistance provider or your referring physician;
- a medical certificate, translated into English if possible, for the transport of treatment injection equipment (needles, syringes and injector pens for diabetics for example);
- certificates recognizing chronic illnesses requiring close monitoring and logbooks for chronic treatments requiring surveillance.
Traveling with medication
For all information regarding security checks, rules for transporting medication, liquids and medical devices in the cabin, you should contact your airline or via the website of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Regarding customs clearance, it is recommended to travel with the prescription for regular treatment under its international nonproprietary name (INN) and written if possible in English.
For travel within the Schengen Area with:
- common medicines: the quantity of medicines transported must generally correspond to the duration of the treatment prescribed by the doctor or, failing that, to a maximum of three months of treatment;
- narcotic or psychotropic drugs: the quantity transported must generally be limited to that necessary for personal use and for the duration of the stay and a specific request for authorization is imperative (from your Regional Health Agency and the ANSM).
- For so-called common medications: there is no harmonization of regulations and each country applies its own provisions. In addition to the prescription from the treating physician, each patient must, before departure, contact the embassy (or consulate) in France of the destination country to find out the regulations in force;
- Narcotic or psychotropic drugs: each country has its own regulations, so it is essential to check with the embassy or consulate in France of your destination country. For information on the regulations of different countries, consult the website of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).
For more information :
https://www.iledefrance.ars.sante.fr/index.php/voyager-avec-ses-medicaments
https://ansm.sante.fr/vos-demarches/patient/voyager-avec-mes-medicaments
Source: Guide to Health Recommendations for Travellers from the High Council of Public Health
