Health insurance for the first months, before Ameli

French public health cover (Puma) does not start at once. Without a job, your rights open after 3 months of living in France (F34308).

With a job, you are covered once the CPAM accepts your request (F16467).

For a "visiteur" visa, insurance for the whole stay is required (F302).

So take a private insurance that starts on the day you arrive and covers the first months. Your social security number comes through the CPAM: if you were born abroad, you first get a temporary number (numéro d'identification d'attente), and the permanent one after your documents are checked. You need an identity document or residence permit and a full birth certificate with a French translation (F16467).

These steps with your own dates

A free account: add your moving date and town, and the steps get deadlines, a calendar and reminders.