Author: David Hampshire

France has a comprehensive social security (sécurité sociale) system covering healthcare, injuries at work, family allowances, unemployment insurance, and old age (pensions), invalidity and death benefits.  France spends more on ‘welfare’ than almost any other EU country: over 30 per cent of GDP.  Continue reading “French Social Security System”

Excerpted from “Buying a Home in France “  
A ‘new’ house is generally defined as one built in the last five years, which is also the legal definition. Although new properties may lack the charm and character of older buildings, they offer attractive financial and other advantages:  Continue reading “Buying a Home in France”

France’s emergency medical services are among the best in the world but may operate in a slightly different way from those you’re used to.  The action to take in a medical emergency depends on the degree of urgency.  Continue reading “Health Emergencies in France”

Excerpted from “Buying a Home in France ”
Traditionally, the French expect to care for elderly relatives within the family unit (indeed adults are legally obliged to provide for their parents in old age, according to their means), so retirement homes (résidence pour retraités/seniors) are less common than in many other Western countries, although they’re becoming more usual: there are now around 5,000 retirement homes. Continue reading “French retirement homes”

France has an excellent, although expensive, national health system.  If you qualify for healthcare under the national health system, you and your family are entitled to subsidized or (in certain cases) free medical and dental treatment.  Benefits include general and specialist care, hospitalization, laboratory services, medicines, dental care, maternity care, appliances and transportation.  Those who don’t automatically qualify can contribute voluntarily or take out private health insurance. Continue reading “The French National Health System”