The Daily Populous Sunday November 9th, 2025 evening edition
Authored by lemonde.fr and submitted by pyeri

American retirees living in France achieved something of a minor miracle on Saturday, November 8: getting a large majority of the Assemblée Nationale to agree on a measure. As lawmakers debated next year's social security budget, parties from the center to the far right backed a proposal from center-right MP François Gernigon to impose a "minimum contribution" on foreign retirees who benefit from universal healthcare coverage after just three months of living in France. The amendment to the social security budget passed with 176 votes in favor and 79 against.

Amélie de Montchalin, the public accounts minister, did not take a side but said the government was "taking this issue very seriously." While the far-right Rassemblement National, through a sub-amendment, had hoped to extend the measure to all foreign nationals, the minister limited the scope to G20 countries. "We have planned to revise the agreements with these countries so that there is this contribution. Because, very often, there is no reciprocal arrangement," she added.

Read more Subscribers only The American retirees who benefit from free French social security

Gernigon's amendment had initially only targeted US citizens who possess a type of long-stay visa that is considered equivalent to a residence permit, known as a VLS-TS. These retirees are often well-off and benefit from France's social security free of charge. The member of the Horizons party described it as "a measure of equity and common sense," though he said he was "well aware that it is not American nationals who will plug the hole" in the social security budget.

By the end of the year, this deficit is expected to reach €23 billion. "This drift undermines citizens' trust in the fairness of our system. National solidarity cannot be one-way. When you benefit from our healthcare system, the best in the world, you should also contribute to it," Gernigon said, speaking before the Assemblée Nationale. "The French, for their part, pay contributions every month to sustain our system and to have access to care."

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myassholealt on November 9th, 2025 at 06:21 UTC »

I’m shocked this isn’t a thing already. They didn’t pay into the system for their working lives. And no doubt they are collecting their SS payments. Social programs only work if people are paying into it.

West_Act_9655 on November 9th, 2025 at 03:52 UTC »

I would think that a person could pay possibly with a large cash contribution or buy private insurance. I don’t think it is fair to have the French tax payer pay for a non citizens health care.

Deadeye1122 on November 9th, 2025 at 03:45 UTC »

I’m a stupid American. Are you telling me that if I move to France I get free healthcare after just three months of being a resident, no matter my age or circumstance?