How to get a French Social Security Number

What is a social security number ?

As of 2021, France is home to over 4 million foreign residents from all over the world. If you are one of them and planning to work or study in the country, having one is crucial.

The social secutiry number is a 13-digit number unique to each person that serves as an identifier for various social security benefits, such as health insurance, pension plans, and unemployment benefits.

What does it do ?

The social security number is used for various purposes : 

• For every process to get government assistance, welfare etc
• Most of the time for medical purposes (but you’ll be asked your Carte Vitale, that has the number written on it)
• By your employer
• To create your account on ameli.fr (the online personal space that gathers all the info and tips you need related to healthcare)

What happens if I don’t have one ?

Not having one can cause several problems. For example, you may not be able to receive benefits if you fall ill, become unemployed, or retire. You may also face difficulties when applying for a loan, opening a bank account, or registering for healthcare coverage.

Where can I find my French Social Security Number, if I already have one?

1. Social Security Statement: You can request a statement of your earnings and benefits from the French social security system. This statement will show your social security number.
2. On your Carte Vitale. 
3. Tax Documents: Your social security number is often included on your tax forms, such as your tax return.
4. Employer Records: Your employer should have a record of your social security number, as they are required to report your earnings to the French social security system.

Who is eligible ?

Employees and their families are fully eligible for France’s social security system, which includes:

• Health, maternity, paternity, disability and death insurance
• Occupational accident and illness insurance
• Government pension contributions
• Family allowances
• Unemployment benefits

The conditions to apply

You need to register if :

• You have never registered for Social Security (for example: in case of birth abroad)
• You do not have any documents proving your registration (Carte vitale, certificate of rights, paper social security card)

What documents do I need?

Identity Documents :

• National ID card
• Passport
• Residency permit (including temporary residency card, permanent residency card, Algerian residency certificate)

Civil Status Documents :

• Birth certificate with parent information
• Complete birth certificate
• Any document issued by a consulate, including those based on identity documents (birth certificate, individual civil status record)

Other documents :

• A copy of your work contract or your first pay slip (if you work),
• To prove that you are living in France:
  • one utility bill, if you work
  • or three utility bills for the past three months, if you don’t work
• If you were covered in Europe before coming to France: an S1 form from your previous European health system. If you cannot get an S1, you will have to provide a refusal letter
• A RIB (relevé d’identité bancaire aka the bank details)

How to apply?

This is the form you have to send to obtain your social security number. I highly recommend doing this request through your employer (ask your HR department), you will still need all the information above but it will be much faster. 

It took me only about a month to get my number, whereas some of my colleagues who did it directly, waited for more than 8 months. In any case, plan to wait for a few months, that is unfortunately normal…

Depending on the country you are coming from, you might need to exit your old health insurance by making them fill out the form E104 which you then have to transfer to your old insurance. You can make this request through your ameli.fr account as soon as you have it.

How can I get a social security number if I don’t have a job yet?

If you’re unemployed and not a student, getting a social security number and then a carte vitale, will not be the easiest process.

You need to go in person to the closest caisse d’assurance maladie. Here you’ll find the closest to your home, and you can change the location on the top right hand corner.

In this case the required documents are the same.

Tips:

• Get a social security number before you ask for your Carte vitale as the SSN is required.