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France Moves to Charge Non‑EU Retirees for Access to Public Health Care

Backers cast the change as a reciprocity measure to make non‑EU retirees who do not pay taxes contribute to care they use.

Overview

  • Lawmakers advanced the measure through both chambers during budget talks with government backing, positioning it to take effect as early as next year.
  • The Senate’s version targets only non‑EU residents who are not taxpayers or contributors to French welfare programs.
  • The government will set the minimum contribution by regulation at a later date, and no specific amount has been decided.
  • British state pensioners holding S1 forms are expected to remain covered without new charges, while UK early retirees would face payments.
  • The shift would particularly affect American retirees who have relied on a carte vitale obtained after three months under current long‑stay visa rules.