Country-Specific Guides
Select your journey to get detailed bureaucratic requirements
← Back to France Guide
🇫🇷
Social Security Number (Numéro de Sécurité Sociale)
France
Last verified: 2026-02-20
Fees, fines, and deadlines are approximate. Always verify with official sources.
Key Registrations & Procedures
Social Security Number (Numéro de Sécurité Sociale)
Deadline: Apply as soon as you start working or residing in France. Mandatory for healthcare access.
Processing Time: 1–3 months for temporary number. Permanent number (NIR): 3–6 months. Can take longer during peak periods.
Fees: Free
Appointment: No appointment needed — apply by mail or online at ameli.fr.
Required Documents:
- Valid passport or EU/EEA national ID card (certified copy)
- Birth certificate (acte de naissance) — must be translated by a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté) and apostilled
- Proof of address in France (justificatif de domicile — utility bill or rental contract)
- Proof of activity — employment contract (contrat de travail), student enrollment, or proof of stable residence
- RIB (bank account details — Relevé d'Identité Bancaire) for reimbursements
- Completed Cerfa form 15763*02 (for EU citizens not yet employed) or S1 form (from home country if transferring rights)
Where to Do It:
Apply by post or online at ameli.fr. Your local CPAM office handles processing — find yours at ameli.fr by entering your postcode. Paris has CPAM offices per arrondissement.
If You Don't Do It:
Without a social security number you pay full price for medical expenses (no reimbursement). You also may not be able to access French healthcare, receive salary properly (employer needs your number for social contributions), or claim benefits.
Regional Variations: Same national system but processing times vary by CPAM office. Paris and Île-de-France are notoriously slow.
Visit Official Website