Students should obtain insurance before leaving home, including cancellation insurance in case they must change their plans at the last minute. Insurance covers the cost of medical treatment and hospitalization in the event of illness or accident. Insurance should cover 100 percent of actual health care costs as well as dental care.

Normal social benefits for students are obtain through enrolment in the student social security plan, a branch of the general social security system in France.

Students not eligible for the student social security plan have the option of subscribing to guaranteed health coverage: personal insurance available from the Caisse primaire d'assurance maladie (DGR).

This insurance is available in France to any person not covered by a compulsory social security plan, including holders of a residency card valid for more than three months. Note:
- entitlement to benefits commences on the first day of the month following the enrolment date
- premiums are based on the annual income of the taxation household, the university institution attended, and the age and status of the subscriber
- students under 26 years of age registered in an institution accredited for personal insurance must pay 1,050 F for the year
- holders of foreign government scholarships: 1,590 F per quarter
- students who meet none of these conditions must pay on the basis of their declared income. The minimum premium is 3,181 F.