Overview
- As of November 18, all people affiliated with French social security can activate the Carte Vitale app on iOS and Android, expanding access to roughly 28 million additional users after about 1.8 million early activations.
- Users can onboard via the France Identité app tied to the new national ID or by submitting ID photos and a short facial video that is checked by human operators before activation.
- Validation of a new activation can take up to 48 hours, after which the app generates a QR code or uses NFC for health professionals equipped with compatible readers.
- Authorities stress security and privacy, stating the app requires device unlock or biometrics and contains only reimbursement-related data, not medical records.
- The physical card remains valid and recommended because provider equipment is still uneven, with pharmacists ahead of general practitioners and CNAM offering up to €280 to help doctors acquire compatible hardware.