Top-Up Health Insurance with CA Britline
Unlike the UK, France has a combination of universal healthcare provision and top-up health insurance - available for French residents only. This system is referred to as the Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA).
Our top-up health insurance allows you to switch covers when you need it and optimise your reimbursements with just one phone call(1).
Top-up health insurance offer: get 2 months refunded for all new top-up health insurance contracts. Offer valid from 1st June 2026 to 19th July 2026*.
Request a call and an insurance advisor will provide you with a personalised top-up insurance quotation.
Already insured elsewhere? Switching is simpler than you think. For policies over one year old, we'll handle the cancellation - no gap in cover, no charge(2).
First, make sure you are registered for French health care
To get your Carte Vitale, there are different ways to register into the French health care system depending on your personal situation.
For further information, contact the organisation you are registered with.
Reasons to have a Top-Up health insurance plan
The cost of health and medical treatments can be very expensive. Although a visit to your doctor may seem relatively small, if you need surgery or hospitalisation the medical bill could be expensive. Medication is also rarely fully reimbursed.
Frequently asked questions
The Social Security regime does not cover 100% of the costs of medical treatment or consultations. It applies a reimbursement rate that varies depending on the treatment provided and it will leave a shortfall of between 30% and 70% (source: ameli.fr).
Top-up health insurance is available to cover this shortfall and potentially a contribution to other private fees. This is important because the base level does not cover all fees that you may incur. Very often extra private fees are charged by consultants, surgeons, dentists and opticians.
Your top-up health Insurance is linked to your "carte vitale" and works in tandem with this system. If a payment is made in association with the "carte vitale" the link triggers the top-up health insurance company to make their appropriate payment also. Alternatively, it is necessary to send your "décompte de prestations" (receipt from your social security regime) directly to your Health Insurance provider for a reimbursement to be made.
When applying for top-up health insurance the following basic information is required:
- Your age
- Family situation (partners/spouse, children etc.)
- Employment status (retired/employed etc ) & job description
- A copy of your "Attestation Droits à l'Assurance Maladie"
Your advisor will discuss with you your health needs (e.g. how often you visit your doctor, medicines etc) in order to help you with the choice of cover most adapted to your situation.
Top-up health insurance policy is provided by PACIFICA, an insurance subsidiary of Crédit Agricole Assurances. PACIFICA, S.A., with fully paid-up capital of 455 455 425€, is a company governed by the French Insurance Code. Registered office: 8-10 Boulevard Vaugirard, 75724 Paris Cedex 15. 352 358 865 RCS Paris. VAT No.: FR 95 352 358 865.
The events covered and conditions are specified in the contract. Teleconsultation, prevention and assistance services are provided by EUROP ASSISTANCE - SA, a company with a fully paid-up share capital of 61 712 744€, governed by the French Insurance Code – Registered office: 89 rue Taitbout, 75009 Paris - 451 366 405 RCS Paris.
This contract is issued by Crédit Agricole Normandy, which is registered with ORIAS as an insurance broker. The broker’s details are available at www.mentionscourtiers.credit-agricole.fr or at your regional bank.
Last update: June 2026
* Promotional offer valid from 01/06/2026 to 19/07/2026 for all new subscriptions to a top-up health insurance policy. The refund will be paid into the account used for the direct debit of the insurance premium 94 days after the policy's effective date, provided that the top-up health insurance policy is still in place and the premiums have been paid in full by that date.
(1) You can change your cover during the contract period. Simply contact us. Cover cannot be reduced less than 12 months after an increase in cover.
(2) In accordance with Article L. 113-15-2 of the Insurance Code, any individual who has subscribed to a health insurance policy for purposes not related to their professional activity is entitled to cancel it at any time, free of charge and without penalty, once a period of one year has passed since subscription. The new insurer will handle the necessary formalities.