Glossary
First-euro cover (assurance au 1er euro)
First-euro health insurance reimburses directly, from the very first expense, against its own coverage limits and actual costs incurred — without going through a French Social Security reimbursement first.
The term contrasts with how CFE works, which reimburses based on French negotiated rates (see the French Social Security reimbursement basis), regardless of the real local cost. First-euro insurance replaces that logic entirely: it does not need a French base reimbursement to top up.
It generally suits expats who do not want to maintain dual membership (CFE plus a top-up), or whose country of residence makes this simpler approach more suitable.
Example
A consultation billed locally is reimbursed by first-euro insurance based on the price actually paid (within the policy's coverage limits), unlike CFE, which reimburses at a fixed French reference rate.
Also searched as: first-euro international health insurance · first-euro cover
To go further: CFE or private insurance: how to choose (French)