First of all...
What exactly are you looking for?
Getting familiar with
The french healthcare system
We'll tell you everything about it ; how it works, how to benefit from healthcare, how to get reimbursed...
How to get
Supplemental heath insurance
Thanks to our knowledge, our products AND a special video that takes you through everything you need to know!
For a short stay...
Private health insurance
In case you want to skip all the administrative paperwork, some insurance contracts do not depend on the french social security system.
Searching for
Housing accommodation
Looking for your very own student appartment? We give you the best advice about where and how to apply for housing accomodation...
Getting the mandatory
Housing insurance
Since it's an obligation when you rent a place, you need to subscribe this insurance before being aloud to move in. No worries though, we've got what you need.
For your internship
Civil liability insurance
Another very important insurance you'll need! You must give proof of your coverage to your company before starting as an intern. Again, we have come up with a product that should suit you perfectly.
The French healthcare system
How it works
As you know, each country has its own healthcare system. In France, it is called “social security” and every single student can benefit from it. Basically, it provides you with a standard covering for every day-life risks (maternity, disability, death, work accidents, retirement, unemployment...). But the most important part in this system is how it helps you out with all your health fees. All this works thanks to social contribution which is collected by the state.
Have you ever heard about the “social security number”? If you haven’t, no worries, we’ll talk you through its definition. Its aim is to identify every citizen (via information such as age, gender, place of birth…) and enables us to benefit from healthcare. Every time you go to the doctor, your number becomes your identity card. Talking about cards, this number is written down on your “carte vitale”. Now, you may wonder how to get this special number… Well, that’s just what you’re about to discover.
How to get your social security number
First and foremost, there’s only one way to get your social security number. The entire process is done online so you won’t have to get to a place you’ve never heard of. The website you must get on is https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/.
Warning: In order to create your own account, you need an address in France. If you’re living abroad and are planning to travel to France, get yourself accommodation before applying for healthcare.
You just have to follow the steps that are explained to you. Fill in your personal information and upload your documents. Once you’re done with this, you’ll receive a confirmation email.
In the following days after your application, you’ll receive a certificate entitled “attestation de droit”. It is a proof of your belonging to the social security system. If you take a close look at this form, you’ll notice your temporary social security number. That’s because it takes several weeks for social security to check the accuracy of your information and grant you with your rights. Do not worry though, you can use this temporary number as long as you haven’t got the definitive one. It lets you do everything you want. You can click on this link to see what a social security number certificate looks like.
I have a EHIC
If you have a European Health Insurance card, you do not have to get a social security number. But you will receive healthcare reimbursements according to your home country and after your stay. Moreover, this card can only be used with public practitioners. So yes, if you want to prevent yourself from paying extra expenses and wait a long time for reimbursements, get yourself a social security number…
Everything you need to know about the "carte vitale"
The “Carte Vitale” proves your belonging to the French Healthcare system. As stated earlier, you must hand it to the doctor at each and every medical meeting (hospital, general practitioner, treatments …). It can be used everywhere in France.
This card allows you to be reimbursed for your health care costs by benefiting from third party payment at your doctor's and pharmacist's. Third party payment means you do not have to pay social security's part in advance. The doctor sends the bill to the french healthcare system.You'll recieve a special certificate that shows third party payment was applied to you and that you just need to pay the remaining costs (the costs that social security doesn't take care of).
If you have complementary health insurance, you'll just need to send this form to your company so that they can reimburse you.
Did you know ?
Planning on getting complementary health insurance? Then, you'll need a social security number. There is no other way as your supplemental health insurance is linked to your personnal number...
Supplemental health insurance
Social security takes care of up to 70% of your health costs. The remaining 30% is called “the co-payment”. It is what’s left to be paid after reimbursement of social security and before deduction of the flat-rate contribution.You must pay the flat-rate contribution in each medical procedure and consultation (€2 per visit and up to €50 per year and per person).
A supplemental health insurance aims to reimburse all the expenses that social security doesn’t take care of.
- For example: When a student goes to the doctor, social security often reimburses 17,5 euros. As flat-rate contribution costs you 2€, your insurance pays for the remaining 6,5 €…
If you have some health issues, going to the doctor may get quite expensive. In this way, it is essential to have insurance. Moreover, the complementary health insurance can also take care of services that are not refunded at all by social security (osteopathy, vaccines…).
Why you should choose SMENO's insurance...
SMENO commits itself to take care of your health on a regular basis. As we know exactly how your purse may suffer from unexpected expenses, we ought to protect you from anything that can happen to you. In this way, you need a solid complementary health insurance.
That’s why SMENO offers a cheap but strong bundle for all students. If you have a small budget and are looking for insurance with great warranties, our products are meant for you! Starting from 14,34 euros per month, our health insurance makes sure you can study efficiently during your stay. In addition to that, we offer civil liability insurance for free, just in case you harm somebody without meaning it.
Check out
Our famous insurance bundles
In order to match with your expactations, SMENO came up with 3 different insurance bundles. Whatever your health profile, we've got what you need!
Tricky but true
Under certain conditions, health professionals are authorized to charge you with more expensive services. For instance, going to a private hospital can cost you up to three times the standard price... If you require significant medical treatments, you may collapse under all these bills you must pay.
The shocking part is that social security only reimburses fees up to a certain level. If your doctor charges you extra for a visit, it won’t change social security’s reimbursements...If you’re used to going at a place where prices are higher than expectations, insurance may be handy…
For those of you coming to France for a short stay...
Moving to France for several weeks only? No problem, check out our travel Schengen insurance, made for students who will not need a social security number. Even if you stay in France for a short period of time, you need to be protected! Indeed, a mishap happens so fast…(you may fall off a bike, slip on the icy road, go through an appendicitis crises…).
For example : Hospitalisation even for simple observation can hit your savings pretty hard. A simple 5-day stay in the hospital can cost up to €6805.
Our top-up insurance plans to cover this amount. The Travel Schengen substitutes for Health Insurance and complementary health insurance. If you subscribe to it, you will be protected for a bargain !
Starting from €34,60 per month, this insurance covers 100 % of your health expenses and contains significant warranties such as civil liabilities, individual accident and many more...
Choosing your accommodation
When looking for housing opportunities, many different options are available to you. You can choose between public or private accommodation, student residences, leasing an apartment alone or with room-mates, a private room in a family home…
We recommend you to start your search as soon as possible!
The simplest approach is to book accommodation, even temporarly. Having somewhere to drop off your luggage when you arrive allows you to find your feet step by step. Some educational establishments, especially big business schools, have their own search platforms. Do not forget to contact them to see if they have any rooms left!
Where should I start my search?
Choose between our top 3 options!
Welfare Gestion
Discover student housing options in Lille ! Welfare Gestion offers you all kinds of housing options in one of the most living student cities. You can rent a comfortable and convenient place for an affordable price.
If you need any information on the available rooms or flats, you can send your request using their contact form. They'll answer you as fast as possible...
Immojeune
A great company that provides you with the best student accommodation in different big cities. You can rent all types of flats and even find roommates for extra fun!
Immojeune has been working with these past few years to enable students to find convenient places to stay at, and of course, provide them with insurance. Our collaboration has proved to be very beneficial to many students...
CROUS - Regional student assistance office
- Between €400 in Paris and €200 outside of Paris
- Check with your institution's International Relations Department to see if it has a special agreement with the CROUS.
- Find the CROUS for your education authority; each operates its own way and has its own website. The higher learning institution where you are enrolled is part of an education authority. You will have to contact that respective CROUS.
How to apply for student accommodation?
You may be wondering what will be required from you when applying for housing in France. We've got the answer for you...
Documents to apply for housing
- Valid identification/ proof identity
- Student ID card or a certificate of attendance at school (current year)
- Residence permit (VLSTS; residence card) if you are in France with a visa
- Letter from a guarantor and his/her identification
- Certificate of insurance Personal liability insurance
Housing Insurance
In France, having a housing insurance is mandatory when you rent, no matter where you live and what type of flat you live in (studio, residence hall, apartment, private room in family home…). The owner will ask you to be covered in case an accident occurs. It is also a law to be ensured against rental risks.
Housing assurance protects your house, goods and even yourself (through civil liability insurance). How? By granting you with compensations when accidents happen. Here are several examples of risks that are covered : fire, water damage, theft, damage to third parties…
In order to face these risks effectively, SMENO has developed special insurance offers that adapt to your budget as well as the type of accommodation you live in. For each situation, students will find a cheap and reassuring insurance contract that will protect them when needed.
For every contract you subrscibe, warranties are the same*, here's what you are covered in case of:
- Fire & water damage
- Civil liabilities (student, trip, rental, private life)
- Climatic events (natural disasters...)
- Attack and terrorism acts, theft & vandalism
- Damage to digital devices
- Defence recourse
- Broken glass
*Exept for the crous room (a) as theft and vandalism aren't covered
Discover our
Housing insurance options
For a short or long stay, in a student room or a shared flat, SMENO's got just what you need to ensure your living space. Here are all the insurance contracts we provide to you...
Staying for less than a year?
Do not worry! Whether you stay 1 year or 1 month, with our made-to-measure plans, we cover you during the entire length of your stay. SMENO offers permanent (1-year) or temporary (1 to 6 months) insurance solutions…
Civil liability insurance
You’re looking for a civil liabilities insurance? SMENO has just what you need ! When time has come to start a new internship or apply for studies, this form is often required. Don’t worry, we made everything easy for you. But first, let’s take you through what is covered with our product...
It goes without saying that getting insurance is mandatory. The good news is that you won’t have to pay gigantic fees for that. We offer two formulas that both have their advantages. If you need extra information, call us at the following number : 09 72 67 60 00, we speak english!
SMENO’s civil liabilities insurance protects you from several incidents you are responsible for :
- Harming somebody
- Breaking or deteriorating objects owned by your internship company
- Jeopardizing public or private assets (even when they aren’t material objects)
Make the most of your stay!
Even if there is a lot to think about, SMENO is here to take care of you! We have been delighted to help and we wish you a very good stay! If you need further information, please use the contact form.
Questions you often ask
Yes, it is useful to get one if you are going to do an internship or if you want to be protected in the event of a stolen phone, damaged personnal objects…
You must hand him/her a certificate entitled « Attestation de droits ». You shall recieve this document once you've got your own social security number
No, you must pay the “co-payment” (30%) and adapt yourself to the healthcare reimbursements from your country.
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