First Application for Social Security Affiliation

If you recently settled in France (for work, study, or any other reason), you must register with social security to benefit from reimbursement of your medical expenses. This can be requested online or via a detailed letter.

This page explains how to request this affiliation, what information to provide, and offers a ready-to-use letter template, plus a tool to automatically generate your personalized letter.

When should you write this letter?

• You recently settled in France and want to register for the first time;
• You started a new job in France;
• You had difficulty registering online;
• You need to clarify your specific administrative situation.

In all these cases, a written letter remains a reliable way to support your request.

Required information to include

• Your first and last name and full address in France;
• The date you arrived or settled in France;
• Your status (employee, student, etc.);
• Documents attached (ID card, proof of address, employment contract or school certificate).

The more complete your file, the faster your request will be processed.

Official letter template

Important note: the letter sent to CPAM must be written in French, as it is a French administration. Below is a template you can use as a basis.

[First name LAST NAME]
[Full address]
[Social security number]

CPAM of [Department]
[CPAM address]

Written in [City], on [Date]

Subject: Social security affiliation request

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am requesting my affiliation with social security, having settled in France since [date].

[...]

→ The complete letter, tailored precisely to your situation and ready to send, is generated automatically in 3 minutes using the tool above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for social security affiliation?

Anyone working or residing stably and legally in France.

How long does it take to accept the affiliation?

Usually a few weeks after receiving the complete file.

Are students eligible for affiliation?

Yes, they're automatically included under the general system for several years now.

What do I do while waiting for my affiliation to be accepted?

You can keep your treatment invoices to request retroactive reimbursement later.

Can I be affiliated without employment?

Yes, under conditions of stable and legal residence in France (PUMA).