You’re preparing your internship abroad and wondering what to do if you get sick while you’re there?

Good news: if you’re going to a country in the European Union, you are covered. As long as you have the right card in your suitcase.

This card is the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). It is free, valid for several years, and essential before you leave.

Here’s everything you need to know to request it in 15 days, stress-free.

The myth to forget: “my French health insurance card is enough in Europe”

This is the number one mistake students make when going abroad for an internship.

No, your French carte vitale does not work outside France. To access healthcare under the same conditions as local residents in your host country, you need the EHIC.

Spoiler: it is free and you can apply for it online in 2 minutes.

1. What exactly is the EHIC?

The European Health Insurance Card is the equivalent of your French health insurance card… but at European level.

What it allows you to do:

• Receive healthcare in all EU countries + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
• Access healthcare at the same rates as local residents
• Avoid paying costs upfront or significantly reduce them

Key things to remember:

• It is free
• It is personal and issued individually
• It is valid for several years, check the expiry date on your card
• You should request it at least 15 days before your departure

As the European Union’s official Your Europe portal explains, the EHIC is valid in 31 European countries.

2. How do you use it once you’re abroad?

It’s simple. Show your EHIC with an ID document:

• At the doctor’s
• At the hospital
• At the pharmacy, depending on the country

You will then receive healthcare under the same conditions as local residents.

Be careful:

• The EHIC does not cover everything. Some healthcare services may cost you more than in France
• You can request additional reimbursement from your French health insurance provider when you return
• For countries outside the EU such as the US or Asia, the EHIC does not work. You need proper international insurance

3. How to request it: 3 possible methods

🥇 Online, the fastest option

• Log in to your Ameli.fr account
• Go to “Mes demandes” → “Commander une carte européenne d’assurance maladie”
• Immediate confirmation

🏢 At an Assurance Maladie office

• Go to any CPAM office
• ID required
• Immediate response

📞 By phone

• Call 3646, free number
• Provide your social security number

Delivery time: your card arrives within 15 days by post, at the address listed on your Ameli account.

4. Leaving in less than 15 days? Don’t panic

Forgot to request it in time? There is a temporary solution.

• Log in to Ameli.fr
• Go to “Mes attestations”
• Download the provisional replacement certificate

This certificate is valid for 3 months and works exactly like the EHIC. Print it or keep it on your phone.

As the European Commission points out, this temporary document guarantees you the same healthcare rights as the physical EHIC.

5. No EHIC and no certificate? Use form S3125

If you have paid for your healthcare out of pocket because you had neither the EHIC nor the certificate, all is not lost.

What to do when you return:

• Collect all detailed invoices for your healthcare expenses
• Download and fill in form S3125 on Ameli.fr
• Send everything to your CPAM
• You will be reimbursed according to the current French rates, which may sometimes be lower than the actual cost

Tip: always keep all medical documents and receipts when abroad.

6. Going further: should you get additional insurance?

The EHIC is a basic foundation, but it does not cover everything.

We recommend taking out international student insurance if:

• You are going away for more than 3 months
• You practise risky activities such as sport, diving or skiing
• You want to be covered for repatriation
• You want to avoid paying costs upfront

Specialised providers such as Chapka, ACS, Mondial Care and AVA offer student packages starting from €25 to €40 per month.

Why choose Stud&Globe to support you?

Because we don’t leave you on your own once your internship is signed.

In concrete terms, we help you:

• Find your internship abroad
• Get guidance on the EHIC, insurance and administrative steps
• Prepare your internship agreement and documents
• Get support before, during and after your departure

You leave with peace of mind. You enjoy the experience. You come back with real international experience.

Ready to leave with peace of mind?

15 days for your EHIC. A few clicks. No excuses.

And if you haven’t found your internship yet, we’ll take care of it.

So, what are you waiting for?