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Informational content — no offer yetInternational Student Insurance
Health insurance is almost always a condition for obtaining a student visa, with amount and duration requirements specific to each country and sometimes to each university.
Who it’s for
- Students going on exchange or a full programme abroad
- Those whose student visa requires proof of health insurance
University insurance or personal insurance
Many universities, notably in the United States, require their own health insurance plan (often expensive) unless the student proves equivalent or better personal coverage — a check to make before departure, as equivalence criteria are specific to each institution.
What to check before taking out cover
The minimum coverage amount required by the visa, the exact length of stay to be covered, and whether the host country has a social security agreement with France (which can change whether full insurance is necessary) — see the country page for your destination. For a stay within the European Union, the EHIC can cover unforeseen care, but it does not replace full insurance for a long programme.
Frequently asked questions
Can a student join CFE?
Yes, generally via the JeunExpat Santé plan if the student is under 30 — a reduced rate on the CFE scale reserved for this age bracket, with the same benefits as the general plan. After 30, the member falls under the general MondExpat Santé plan.
Is the EHIC enough for a university exchange in Europe?
For a short stay, it can cover unforeseen care within the host country's public system, on the same terms as a local policyholder. For a full programme, most institutions require dedicated insurance, often with benefits the EHIC doesn't cover (repatriation, extra charges, private care).
What happens if my insurance doesn't meet the university's criteria?
The university generally imposes its own default coverage, often more expensive, unless the student provides proof of equivalence accepted by the institution before a deadline — to be checked directly with the university's international office before departure.
Written by Expavy