Reimbursement for Treatment Received Abroad

If you received medical treatment while staying or traveling outside France, you can request partial reimbursement from CPAM according to the rules applied to the country concerned (inside or outside the European Union).

This page explains how to request this reimbursement, 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 received emergency treatment while traveling abroad;
• You need reimbursement for medical costs paid abroad;
• You don't have the European Health Insurance Card (if in Europe);
• You need clarification about rules applied depending on the country.

In all these cases, a written letter remains an effective way to request your reimbursement.

Required information to include

• Your first and last name and social security number;
• The country and place of treatment and its date;
• The invoice amount in local currency and its euro equivalent;
• Documents attached (translated invoice, medical report).

The clearer the invoice and documents, 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: Request for reimbursement of treatment abroad

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am requesting reimbursement for treatment received on [date] in [country], amounting to [amount].

[...]

→ 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

Does reimbursement vary by country?

Yes, rules differ between European Union countries and other countries.

Do I need to translate the invoice?

It's advisable if not in French or English, to facilitate processing.

What is the European Health Insurance Card?

A card that facilitates direct reimbursement in EU countries without upfront payment in some cases.

Does reimbursement cover the full amount paid?

No, usually based on the equivalent French rate, not the actual amount paid abroad.

How long does this reimbursement take?

It can take longer than domestic reimbursements, due to review of foreign documents.