The income thresholds granting access to assistance with health costs have been substantially increased.

The costs of health care in France are generally very modest, particularly if you are retired, as no statutory insurance premiums are payable and most care costs are reimbursed.

However, unless you are daredevil enough to 'pay-as-you-go', even retired persons generally need to take out complementary 'top-up' insurance, whilst other groups also pay a percentage of their income to one or another of the statutory schemes.

Assistance towards the health costs for those on a modest income comes in two forms, depending on the level of your income and whether you hold a complementary health insurance policy.

i. Couverture Maladie Universelle – Complementaire (CMU-C)

There are particular rules that apply in the calculation of your income, as a supplement is added if you do not rent or have a mortgage.

You can read more in our pages at Couverture Maladie Universelle.

ii. L’aide à l’acquisition d’une complémentaire santé (ACS)

If you have a complementary ‘top-up’ health insurance policy you may be entitled to assistance with the insurance premiums.

The assistance is available by the L’aide à l’acquisition d’une complémentaire santé (ACS).

The level of the assistance depends on your age, but it is €500 per person for a couple aged at least 60 years, equivalent to €1,000 a year!

Entitlement to support is subject to a test of resources. Your income cannot be greater than 35% of the CMC-C income thresholds.

The revised thresholds are as follows:

Again, particular rules application over the calculation of your income.

You can read more in our pages at Assistance with Health Insurance Premiums.