Moving to another country within the European Union is often seen as a smooth and reassuring step. Yet healthcare quickly becomes one of the most sensitive issues for French expatriates. Between different medical systems, unclear contracts and solutions that are not designed for long-term expatriation, many people end up with health cover that does not truly fit their day-to-day reality.
This is precisely why the Santé Libre health insurance plan was designed by EUGEN, a specialist in international health insurance and a member of the IFO Global group, in partnership with Swiss Life. It is a first-euro international health insurance policy, exclusively dedicated to French expatriates living in the European Union, and built to offer freedom, stability and continuity over time.
Living in another European country means dealing with a different healthcare system, varying medical practices and reimbursement levels that are sometimes difficult to anticipate. Many French expatriates only realise later that their health insurance is neither flexible enough nor truly designed for long-term residence abroad.
Common issues include upfront medical costs, difficulty changing countries, lack of long-term visibility, or contracts that evolve with age or health conditions. All of these factors make health insurance a strategic decision from the very beginning of an expatriation project.
Many health insurance policies on the market are designed either for expatriation outside Europe or for short-term situations. As a result, expatriates living long-term within the European Union are often faced with oversized coverage, high premiums, limited portability and a lack of clarity.
These contracts quickly show their limits when personal circumstances change: moving to another EU country, needing regular medical care, or simply wanting long-term stability and predictability.
The Santé Libre plan was specifically created for French expatriates living in the European Union. Its philosophy is straightforward: to provide clear, independent and long-lasting health coverage, without relying on any external system.
Santé Libre is a first-euro health insurance plan. No prior affiliation to any other healthcare system is required. Medical expenses are covered directly according to the policy guarantees, allowing for fast enrolment and immediate use, without administrative complexity.
One of the key advantages of the Santé Libre plan is the complete freedom it offers regarding where you receive medical treatment. You can be treated both in your country of residence and in France, with no restrictions on the type of care.
In practical terms, this means you can receive treatment for an existing medical condition, attend routine medical or dental appointments, undergo dental care, or purchase medical equipment such as hearing aids, either in France or in your country of residence. You are free to choose where you are treated, based on your preferences, habits or the quality of care you are seeking.
Santé Libre fully supports mobility within the European Union. If you move from one EU country to another, your guarantees remain exactly the same and your premiums do not change. No new medical underwriting is required.
This stability is a major advantage for expatriates whose professional or personal lives evolve over time.
Although designed specifically for Europe, the policy also includes worldwide coverage for trips of up to 30 days. Holidays, business travel or short stays outside the European Union are therefore covered, with no additional formalities.
Santé Libre is a lifetime health insurance policy. As long as you remain insured, your coverage continues regardless of age or changes in your health condition.
Another key benefit is that subscription is possible up to the age of 75, which remains rare in the international health insurance market. This allows many senior expatriates to secure reliable, long-term health coverage without age-related exclusions.
The Santé Libre plan offers a high level of flexibility. After the first year, the policy can be cancelled at any time with only one month’s notice. It is also possible to change coverage levels at the beginning of each year to adapt to changes in your personal or family situation.
No healthcare network is imposed. You are free to choose your doctors, specialists and medical facilities, both in your country of residence and in France. This freedom is essential for expatriates who must navigate very different healthcare systems across Europe.
Santé Libre covers all essential medical needs: consultations, hospitalisation, examinations, laboratory tests, medical imaging, routine care, alternative medicine and assistance services. The objective is to provide truly usable coverage on a daily basis, with no grey areas or unpleasant surprises.
The policy is exclusively intended for French expatriates living in a European Union country, as well as bi-national couples, provided that at least one of the insured persons is French.
Several options are available to suit different life situations: SOLO, DUO and FAMILY plans. FAMILY plans include, in particular, maternity care, orthodontics and optical care for children.
Santé Libre benefits from highly competitive pricing compared with general international health insurance policies. This competitiveness is the result of a deliberate positioning: a niche policy specifically designed for French residents in Europe, without unnecessary guarantees or additional costs.
If you are a French expatriate living in the European Union and are looking for stable, flexible and long-term health insurance, the Santé Libre plan may be particularly well suited to your situation. Contact us now if you would like to learn more, receive personalised information or discuss your individual needs.
