Glossary
PUMa (Protection Universelle Maladie / Universal Healthcare Protection)
The French scheme that covers healthcare costs based on the sole criterion of stable, lawful residence in France, regardless of employment status.
Protection Universelle Maladie guarantees anyone who works or resides in France on a stable and lawful basis coverage of their healthcare costs, on a personal and continuous basis, independent of their employment status. It replaced the base-level CMU in 2016. The stability condition requires continuous residence of more than three months (barring special cases), and the lawfulness condition requires French nationality or a valid residence permit.
For an expat moving back to settle in France, PUMa rights are not automatic the moment they step off the plane: this stable, lawful residence has to be established, which can take time depending on the situation. Temporarily maintaining CFE cover after the return often helps cover this transition period.
Example
An expat who returns to settle permanently in France must prove stable, lawful residence to activate their PUMa rights, otherwise a delay may pass before full coverage by Assurance Maladie kicks in.
Also searched as: PUMA · universal health protection