First-Euro Insurance or a CFE Top-Up?
Which health insurance should French expats choose? Understand the differences between first-euro insurance and a CFE top-up, with the pros and cons.
Reviewed by a licensed advisor
As a French expat, you have several health insurance options. You can join the Caisse des Français de l'Étranger on its own (the equivalent of French social security), take out a CFE top-up, or choose what is known as "first-euro" insurance.
Here are a few explanations to help you see things more clearly.
The Caisse des Français de l'Étranger (CFE)
The CFE works in the same way as French social security (Sécurité sociale) and reimburses the same amounts. Abroad, your out-of-pocket costs can therefore sometimes be high.
To give you an example: if a GP consultation costs you 100 euros abroad, you will be reimbursed 18.55 euros, as in France. The remaining 81.45 euros will come out of your own pocket.
To bridge this financial gap, you must select one of the following plan:
New to Hong Kong? Start with our guide to health insurance in Hong Kong for French expats.
What is a CFE Top-Up?
A CFE Top-Up is a complementary insurance plan designed specifically to cover the financial shortfall not reimbursed by the CFE
CFE top-up insurance plans are products specially designed to cover the share not reimbursed by the Caisse des Français de l'Étranger. Top-ups play the same role as a French mutuelle (complementary health insurance) and cover the part that is not reimbursed. This type of product can therefore be very useful, especially in Hong Kong, Singapore, Mainland China and Asia in general.
What is First-Euro Insurance?
First-euro insurance is a 100% private health policy that reimburses your medical expenses independently, starting from the very first euro spent. It is entirely disconnected from the CFE and French Social Security fee schedules. Reimbursement is independent and is not linked to reimbursement by the CFE.
First-Euro vs. CFE Top-Up: Differences
CFE top-up | First-euro insurance | |
|---|---|---|
Cover | The cover is equivalent | The cover is equivalent |
Cost | Tend to be cheaper | Tend to be more expensive |
Reimbursement | On average slower reimbursement | On average faster reimbursement |
Payment | Two separate payments: one to the CFE and one to the insurer | Can be annual, half-yearly, quarterly or monthly |
Portability (if you change country) | Possible in both cases | Possible in both cases |
Returning to France | Immediate return to French social security | Return to French social security after 3 months in France |
Did you know? Alea is the advisor for French expats in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and beyond. As the CFE's exclusive representative for Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Singapore, Alea has unique expertise in every CFE plan and in the plans French insurers such as Allianz, April, Henner, MSH and Assur-Travel offer alongside the CFE. We work with more than 50 international partners, such as AXA, Bupa and Cigna, to find you the best option!
Written by
François Bossé
Insurance Advisor
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