How to get your Social Security Number in France (Guide for Foreign Workers)
Welcome to France! Whether you are relocating for a long-term contract (CDI), a fixed-term mission (CDD), an internship (stage), or launching your freelance activity, settling into the French professional landscape is a major milestone.
To smooth your transition, one administrative step is more important than all the rest: securing your French Social Security Number (numéro de sécurité sociale). Here is everything you need to know to get registered without the stress.
What is the French Social Security Number?
The numéro de sécurité sociale (also called NIR) is a unique, life-long 15-digit identification number issued by the French health insurance system (l'Assurance Maladie). It is your personal master key to life in France. You will need it when:
Starting a job or an internship.
Visiting a doctor or a hospital.
Getting reimbursed for healthcare costs.
Opening a local bank account.
Applying for state housing assistance (CAF).
Registering for maternity/paternity leave or unemployment benefits.
Who Needs to Apply?
If you are working and living in France, and you do not already have a French social security number, you need to apply. This applies to:
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens taking up local employment.
Third-country nationals (Non-EU) holding a valid work permit, talent passport, or student visa.
Students or interns doing paid internships or work-study programs.
How to Get Your Number: The 2 Main Pathways & Where to Apply
Your registration path and where you need to submit your file depend strictly on your employment status.
Option 1: Your Employer Handles It (Salaried CDI / CDD)
If you are joining a French company as a standard salaried employee, your employer will kickstart the process.
Before your first day, your HR department must submit a mandatory Pre-Employment Declaration (Déclaration Préalable à l'Embauche or DPAE) online via due.urssaf.fr or net-entreprises.fr. If the system flags that you do not have an existing number, it automatically alerts the local health insurance fund (CPAM – Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie). HR will then ask you for your civil documents to finalize the creation of your account.
Always ask your HR contact to confirm once they have submitted this.
Option 2: You Apply Yourself (Interns, Freelancers, & Students)
If you are an independent contractor, an intern, or a student, you generally need to submit your application file yourself.
Where to send your file:
Standard expats, interns, and freelancers: You must send your physical paper file by post to the CPAM office corresponding to your place of residence in France. You can find the exact postal address by entering your French zip code on the official ameli.fr website.
International students: You do not apply by mail. You must register completely online via the dedicated digital portal etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr.
Agricultural workers: If your activity falls under agriculture, your application must be addressed to the MSA (Mutualité Sociale Agricole) instead of the CPAM.
Mandatory Document Checklist for Manual Applications
If applying manually via the CPAM, you must gather and post clear copies of:
A completed S1106 Application Form ("Demande d’ouverture des droits à l’assurance maladie", available on ameli.fr).
A valid ID card or Passport.
Your Visa or Residence Permit (titre de séjour), if applicable.
A complete copy of your Birth Certificate showing your parents' names. A certified French translation is required for non-EU citizens unless a standard multilingual European format is provided.
A Proof of Residence in France (e.g., rental contract, recent electricity bill, or an attestation d'hébergement).
Your Employment Contract or Internship Agreement (convention de stage).
Your RIB (French bank details) to route your healthcare reimbursements.
How long does it take? It typically takes 4 to 8 weeks to receive your temporary social security number (numéro provisoire). Your permanent 15-digit number will follow a few months later once your civil status is fully validated.
Can I access healthcare while waiting? Yes! As soon as you receive your temporary number, your coverage under the PUMA (Protection Universelle Maladie) framework is active, and you can be reimbursed for healthcare expenses.
What about the physical card? Once your permanent number is confirmed, you can log into your online account to request your green health insurance card, the Carte Vitale, which automates all medical processing.
FAQ – Quick Answers
Can I apply for a social security number before arriving in France?
No. You must be physically present on French territory and be able to provide a valid French address and local supporting documents.
Do I need a French bank account?
Yes. To receive automated health insurance reimbursements, you must provide a French bank account statement (RIB).
What if I already had a number from a previous stay in France?
In France, your social security number is assigned for life. If you have studied or worked in France before, your historical number remains valid. You can reactivate your active rights by contacting your local CPAM.
Can I apply online?
Only if you are arriving as an international student (via etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr). For first-time employee applicants, freelancers, and interns whose employers do not handle the filing, documents must still be sent via physical mail to the CPAM.
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