Reader question: Can foreigners in France get the Covid-19 vaccine?
As France rolls out its Covid-19 vaccination campaign, here's what non-French people need to know about getting the injection.
Question: I am a non-French resident in France and I don't yet have a carte vitale health insurance card. Is the Covid vaccine restricted to French citizens or can I still get vaccinated, and how much will it cost me?
What rights non-French residents in France have when it comes to getting vaccinated for Covid-19 has been a big question among the readers of The Local.
Firstly, there is no limit based on citizenship.
We contacted the French health ministry, who told us: "Everyone residing in France will be invited to get vaccinated according to the prioritisation of groups as outlined in the vaccination campaign."
France has chosen a strict step-by-step vaccination scheme, placing vulnerable groups first in line to get the injection (more below).
What will it cost?
The vaccine will be free to everyone, even those who don't have a carte vitale.
"Seeing as this is a public health issue, unregistered people as well as those in precarious situations [such as the homeless] can get vaccinated for free," the health ministry said, referring to a government decree published on December 31st.
Everyone working or residing in France can get the vaccine for free, even if they aren't registered in the French state health system.
This does not include tourists or second home owners.
What kind of documents should I bring?
There is no mention of whether or not the vaccine centres will demand a proof or residency or other documents. However we would advise non-EU residents to bring either a carte de séjour, the receipt acknowledging their application for a carte de séjour or utility bills.
EU citizens would to wise to bring their passports and a proof of address.
Everyone - French or not - needs to take ID with them when they go to the vaccine centre.
Several readers of The Local have told us that not having a carte vitale caused a certain amount of confusion at the their local vaccine centre, because it is an unusual situation, but all of them received it in the end, one person after showing the French government decree linked to in this article.
When can I get it?
At present, the vaccination scheme is only open to over 75s and people in high risk group with serious health conditions, in addition to some priority groups - residents and staff in Ehpad nursing homes, health workers and emergency workers aged over 50.
Next on the priority list are 65-74 year-olds. They should be given access to the vaccine sometime in February, although the government has not yet set a date.
After that there is a strict order based on priority groups, with vaccines for the general population set to be rolled out out in the spring.
Over-75s and those in high risk groups may however already now book an appointment online, through the medical app Doctolib or call the government's vaccine hotline.
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Question: I am a non-French resident in France and I don't yet have a carte vitale health insurance card. Is the Covid vaccine restricted to French citizens or can I still get vaccinated, and how much will it cost me?
What rights non-French residents in France have when it comes to getting vaccinated for Covid-19 has been a big question among the readers of The Local.
Firstly, there is no limit based on citizenship.
We contacted the French health ministry, who told us: "Everyone residing in France will be invited to get vaccinated according to the prioritisation of groups as outlined in the vaccination campaign."
The vaccine will be free to everyone, even those who don't have a carte vitale.
"Seeing as this is a public health issue, unregistered people as well as those in precarious situations [such as the homeless] can get vaccinated for free," the health ministry said, referring to a government decree published on December 31st.
Everyone working or residing in France can get the vaccine for free, even if they aren't registered in the French state health system.
This does not include tourists or second home owners.
What kind of documents should I bring?
There is no mention of whether or not the vaccine centres will demand a proof or residency or other documents. However we would advise non-EU residents to bring either a carte de séjour, the receipt acknowledging their application for a carte de séjour or utility bills.
After that there is a strict order based on priority groups, with vaccines for the general population set to be rolled out out in the spring.
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