Health insurance for retiring abroad

With private first-euro insurers, the age limit for subscribing is most often between 65 and 75, depending on the insurer and the plan; beyond that, only the CFE (Caisse des Français de l’Étranger, the French state fund for citizens abroad) remains open, with no age limit and no medical questionnaire. Once you have subscribed before the limit, the policy generally renews for life. Timing therefore matters more than price: subscribing at 64 opens options that no longer exist at 71.

With a private insurer, rarely without conditions: diabetes, treated hypertension or a history of cancer are excluded, surcharged, or accepted case by case after a questionnaire. The CFE, on the other hand, covers pre-existing conditions with no questionnaire, on the basis of French rates. The mixed plan, the CFE as a base with a first-euro top-up on top, is the arrangement that best covers a retiree already under medical follow-up.

In a country where care costs less than in France, such as Morocco or Thailand outside Bangkok’s large private hospitals, it covers a real share of the bill. In an expensive country, it reimburses on the French basis and leaves an out-of-pocket cost of 60 to 85%. A first-euro top-up on the CFE closes that gap, and you keep the fund’s advantages: no questionnaire, continuity of rights on your return.

A retiree who returns regains their rights to French health cover, but a waiting period and proof of residence may apply depending on the situation. A CFE member keeps their rights without interruption. Private policies generally cover temporary stays in France during the term of the policy, but not a permanent move back: plan the cancellation ahead of time so you do not pay for two types of cover at once.

It all depends on age, country and the arrangement chosen. As a ballpark figure, a couple aged 65 settled in Portugal or Thailand often falls between €300 and €700 a month for full first-euro cover, and noticeably less on a mixed plan if the CFE takes the base. These are not firm rates: the comparator gives a personalised range in three questions, and Mustapha draws up the exact quote within 24 hours.