According to 20 Minutes News Network, the French National Assembly has just adopted a resolution introducing a minimum health insurance contribution for non-EU citizens. Currently, foreigners residing in France for more than three months can access universal health coverage (PUMA) without paying into the system. The new measure would require non-EU citizens holding a long-stay “visitor” visa to pay a mandatory contribution in order to open or maintain their PUMA rights. This resolution has only been adopted by the lower house and must still be discussed by the Senate before it becomes law. But if it passes, Americans living in France will be directly affected.
The amendment was proposed by François Gernigon of Horizons, a centrist party founded by former Prime Minister, and current Mayor of Le Havre, Édouard Philippe. Horizons is part of President Macron’s broader presidential block, which also includes Renaissance (Macron’s main party) and MoDem (a liberal-centrist ally). This alliance, often described as the “Macronist majority,” occupies the political space between the center and the moderate right, generally supporting pro-business, reform-oriented, and fiscally conservative policies.
In this particular voting session, Édouard Philippe’s Horizons, the Republicans of Bruno Retailleau, and the far-right led by Marine Le Pen (of the Rassemblement National) all supported the measure, while the left-wing parties La France Insoumise, the Socialists, the Greens, and the Communists voted against it.
Public Accounts Minister Amélie de Montchalin acknowledged that some foreign nationals, particularly from G20 countries, currently benefit from exemptions and said France plans to revise its bilateral agreements to ensure what she called “fair participation.” If the reform clears the Senate, it would represent a major policy shift with clear financial implications for American retirees and other long-stay visitors residing in France.
