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CARTE VITALE

Eight online services which make dealing with French bureaucracy easier

From booking medical appointments to paying your taxes, dealing with the historically difficult French bureaucratic machine has arguably never been easier than it is today - when you can do much of it online.

Published: 20 July 2021 13:18 CEST
Computer pad
This illustration photo shows a computer keyboard in Los Angeles, July 16, 2021. (Photo by Chris Delmas / AFP)

Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of the services you can access online.

Apply for a French driving licence

The rules on driving licences vary depending on where your original licence is from. Britons in France have a special post-Brexit process to deal with – more on that here – and if you’re American it’s even more complicated … you can find the full details here.

Importantly, the process is now handled entirely online by the Agence nationale des titres sécurisés (ANTS) service. It also deals with the vehicle registration process – including the all-important carte grise.

Get a carte vitale

The green carte vitale is your key to French health care. Have one and you’re in the system – you literally are a 14-digit number.

It also contains all the information you need to reimburse healthcare costs and cover you in the event of hospitalisation. You can apply or renew your card via the Assurance Maladie website ameli.fr – you will be asked to enter your postcode to access the appropriate departmental office.

READ ALSO: How to create an Ameli account

Book a medical appointment

You can book appointments with your GP, ophthalmologists and other medical professionals, via the Doctolib website. You can even book an appointment for a Covid-19 vaccination using the site, or through the equally useful Vitemadose website – which connects to the Doctolib site.

Pass sanitaire / EU Covid Certificate

If you have been vaccinated against Covid-19 in France you should have received a document bearing a QR code. 

Once you have the certificate, you can then either print it out or scan it into the French TousAntiCovid app and this creates the pass sanitaire (health pass) which – following President Macron’s July 12th announcement – you will need for a whole range of cultural, sporting and personal activities.

If you don’t have one of these certificates, perhaps because you were one of the earlier tranche of people to be vaccinated, here is what to do.

Pay your taxes

You can make annual tax declarations by setting up a personal account on the the impots.gouv.fr website.

Benefits

The Caisse d’allocations familiales (CAF) is the body charged with administering a range of benefits, including family allowance, and housing benefits. The CAF online portal allows families living in France to access the benefits they are entitled to.

Get a visa

If you need a visa to enter or stay here for an extended period, France’s Visa Wizard is your friend. Not only will it help you find out if you need one, it will guide you through the entire application process.

Carte de séjour 

A hot topic, particularly for British people in France, who should by now have applied for their Brexit Withdrawal Agreement cartes de séjour (residence permit). These documents are proof of your right to live and work in France. 

If, however, you are a Briton living in France and have not yet applied for your carte, the website for applications is still open – despite the fact the deadline has passed.

For people of other nationalities, foreign students at French universities and Britons coming to France after January 1, 2021, the processes are different again. 

For students, you will find information here.

For foreign nationals living and working in France, the information is here.

You can even access more than 900 public and other services online, using a single user ID and passcode combination – as long as you have a French social security number – via the FranceConnect service.

READ ALSO: What is France Connect and how could it make your life simpler?

Of course, some may say this switch online is not altogether a good thing, that we have lost a little of the personal touch along the way. But those who have fought the old bureaucracy and lost may find it easier to handle when the computer says no, rather than the administrator…

Member comments

  1. Ameli requires you to have a social security number in order to create an account, so won’t work for most new arrivals to France to get their Carte Vitale.

    Doctolib is a great site and I used this to book vaccinations but not all doctors use it. Ours does not.

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For members

VISAS

Which European countries offer a ‘digital nomad’ visa?

With the world of work rapidly changing, digital nomad visas are now in high demand as a way to experience life in another country while continuing to work remotely. Here are the European countries that you can obtain one for, and what’s involved.

Published: 10 April 2024 17:25 CEST
Which European countries offer a 'digital nomad' visa?

Many countries have introduced digital nomad visas as a means to attract visitors and boost their economy. 

Generally, to obtain one, those applying need to be able to conduct their work online, to have a contract with a company based outside the country they’re applying to, and to meet a monthly salary level. 

Additionally, applicants will need to prove that they have a minimum level of health insurance, means to support themselves and accommodation organised. 

It’s also important to note that if you are a citizen of an EEA/Schengen country, you may not be able to apply for these visas – you already have the right to live and work in these countries. 

Germany, Austria, Sweden and Switzerland do not currently have offer a ‘digital nomad visa, although there are alternatives. 

France and Denmark also have options for those wanting to work remotely. 

Several European countries, however, now do offer these visas. 

Albania

Albania’s new Unique Permit scheme allows digital nomads to apply for a Type D visa, which is valid for a year, and which can be renewed for up to five years. 

While there are no explicit requirements for a monthly or yearly salary, it has been suggested that a minimum yearly income of €9.024,33 would result in an approval. 

Applications can take up to twelve weeks, and the costs for the visa will vary, based on your country of origin. 

Croatia

Croatia introduced their Digital Nomad Residence Permit in 2021, and it is becoming a popular option for remote workers. 

This visa is valid for a year, and can be renewed – although you’ll have to leave the country for six months before you can reapply. 

A minimum monthly salary of €2.446,69 is required for a successful application. 

The cost of this visa will vary, depending on the country from which you apply. 

Cyprus

Cyprus has an appealing Digital Nomad Visa program, albeit one that is capped – only 500 are available per year. 

Applicants will need to be able to prove a minimum monthly income of €3,500 to receive a visa, and it is valid for one year – renewable for a further two. 

Applicants will need to pay €140 – €70 for the application fee, and €70 for the Alien Registration Certificate. 

Estonia

A trailblazer in attracting remote workers, Estonia’s Digital Nomad Visa is one of Europe’s most desirable. 

This is due to the country’s excellent online infrastructure and support for remote workers, through its E-Residency Card program. 

Applicants can also expect a response to their application within a month – a much shorter waiting period than for several other countries. 

Applicants must pay a €60 application fee, and be able to show evidence of a €4,500 monthly salary. 

Greece

Greece’s Digital Nomad Visa is valid for two years, renewable for another two years.

It costs €75, and you’ll need to be making at least €3,500 a month to be successful when applying. 

Hungary

Hungary’s ‘White Card’ was introduced in 2021 to attract remote workers to the central European country. 

The ‘White Card’ is valid for one year, and can be extended once for a further year. 

Applicants need to be able to show that they’re earning the equivalent of €3,000 a month, and costs €110 to apply for. 

Iceland

Iceland also has a digital nomad visa, although it’s slightly different to many others. 

The country’s Long-term visa for Remote Work is only valid for up to 180 days, although it can be applied for again 90 days after leaving the Schengen zone.

It costs €80.96 to apply, and you will need to be making at least €6.636,13 a month to be successful. 

Italy

Italy’s digital nomad visa is Europe’s newest, effective from April 4th. The initial visa is valid for a year, and there is no upper limit on renewals, as long as the applicant still meets the criteria.

It’s important to know that applicants will need to be earning €28,000 a year to be successful. The visa must be applied for at the nearest consulate, and costs €116.

Malta

Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit is valid for one year and can be renewed a further three times, for a maximum stay of four years. 

Applicants need to show that they are making at least €42,000 a year and the application fee is €300.

Norway

Norway’s digital nomad visa offering is rather unique. 

First, the Digital Nomad Visa is valid for up to two years, and can be reapplied for. Applicants must show an annual income of €35,719 and the application costs €600. 

Then there’s the Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa. While it has much the same requirements as the regular digital nomad visa, successful applicants must also reside within the Svalbard archipelago, within the Arctic Circle. 

Amazingly, there is no expiry date for the Svalbard visa  – it has a lifetime duration. However, you will have to pay Norwegian taxes. 

Both of these visas can be applied for through the official Norwegian government website.

Spain

Although it was only introduced last year, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa programme has already proved successful. 

The initial visa is valid for one year, and it can be renewed for up to five years. 

It costs €80 to apply, and applicants need to show that they’re making a minimum of €2,646 a month. 

Portugal

Portugal’s digital nomad visa program is one of Europe’s most well-known.

Two specific visas specifically cater towards digital nomads. The Temporary Stay Visa is valid for three months and can be renewed up to four times – the maximum stay being a year. 

This visa costs €75 to apply for, and applicants have to show a monthly salary of €3,280.

The Residency Visa is valid for four months, after which it can be reapplied for, lasting two years. 

It costs €80 to apply for, and the income threshold is increased to €3,304. 

Family members can accompany those on a Residency Visa, while on a Temporary Stay visa, they cannot.

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