Temporary social security number for a foreigner: how to get one

What is the purpose of the NIR and the temporary social security number for a foreigner?

The social security number is a unique number that identifies every person born or resident in France for health insurance. It's also known by the acronym NIR, for the identification number in the National Institute for Statistics and Economics (INSEE) register.

This number has many uses. It allows you:

• Benefit from coverage of your healthcare costs if you live in France on a regular basis.

• Calculate your pension amount.

• Receive daily sick pay in case of illness.

• Access social benefits such as family allowances if you are eligible. 

• Benefit from additional reimbursement of your health costs where you have taken out supplementary insurance.

• Have your employment contract altered by your employer,  so you are declared as an employee for the correct payment of social contributions.

• Create your Ameli account and log on, as well as log on to all French public administration site via the FranceConnect platform.

The temporary social security number for foreigners has the same uses; the only limitation is that it cannot be used to create an Ameli account. 

What do the numbers in my social security number mean?

The 15 numbers that make up a social security number have meanings that give information about the holder:

• The first number denotes the sex: 1 for males and 2 for females

• The second and third numbers denote the year of birth

• The fourth and fifth numbers denote the month of birth

• The sixth and seventh numbers denote the French region of birth; if the holder was born abroad, the number 99 will be used

• The eighth, ninth and 10th numbers make up the INSEE code that identifies the region or country of birth

• The 11th, 12th and 13th numbers denote the registration number for the NIR holder in the civil registry for the month of their birth

• The 14th and 15th numbers denote a security key

As a picture paints a thousand words, this image will help you to understand the meaning of the figures that make up your social security number:

Which documents should be provided to get your social security number?

To request your social security number if you are foreigner residing in France on a regular basis, you must provide two documents for medical coverage:

• An identity document (identity card, passport or residence permit) that allows you to be identified.

• A civil status document (full copy of your birth certificate, or extract of your birth certificate showing your parentage) enabling proof of your identity.

Note: Unless issued in Switzerland or a European Economic Area country, the civil status document must be provided with a certified translation if the document is not in French.

How can you get a social security number for a foreigner? 

If you're now regularly resident in France, you can make an initial request for a social security number for a foreigner. The process for obtaining the social security number depends on your circumstances.

If you're employed, self-employed or a contractor

If you're coming to work in France, your future employer will need to give your social security number on your contract of employment. To obtain a social security number as a foreign employee, you'll have to contact the primary health insurance fund (CPAM) for your area of residence to provide your identity document and evidence of civil status. 

You can find the address for your local CPAM at the site Service-Public.fr.

Note: if you're an employee, have highly skilled worker status, or are a model or language assistant, your future employer can also apply for your health insurance rights via this online platform. You can also obtain your social security number here.

If you're a farmer or agricultural employee

If you're a farmer or agricultural employee, it is the agricultural social security (MSA) for your area of residence that will provide your NIR if you submit the required documents (identity card and proof of civil status).

You'll find the address for your local MSA at the site.

If you're unemployed

If you're a foreigner regularly resident in France, but are unemployed, you need to contact your health insurance fund to obtain your social security number. You'll need to send them your identity document and proof of civil status.

Note: if you are from Switzerland or a European Economic Area Country, your European Health Insurance Card means you are covered by your home country. This means that you do not need a French social security number.

If you're a foreign student

A foreign student must request a social security number if they're from a country outside of the European Economic Area. The application process can then be done online. 

If this is your status, you'll need to provide a certain amount of information and documents required in this situation:

• Proof of enrolment for the current academic year

• Proof of identity

• Proof of marital status

• Your residence permit

• Your bank details (for refund of your medical costs)

• Parental consent if you are under 16

Once you have supplied this information, you'll be given a temporary social security number. Once the request has been processed, usually after a few weeks, final certification of registration for social security on which your NIR will be shown will be issued to you.

Please note: if you're from a member country of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you do not need to request a social security number to study in France. You only need to request a European health insurance card from your welfare provider in your home country.

How can you get a temporary social security number while abroad? 

To obtain your temporary social security number while abroad, you need to apply for registration with the health insurance system by following the procedure given for your case previously in this article. As processing times are often long, you'll be issued a temporary social security number. 

This temporary number will give you the same rights as a final NIR  (reimbursement of healthcare fees, issue of a contract of employment). The only two things that you can't do with a temporary number are create an Ameli account, or get your health insurance card; you'll have to wait for your permanent number for this.

How can you get a social security number for your children?

You may have moved to France with your children; in this case, they must also be registered for social security and in certain cases be issued their own social security number. The situation differs depending on the age of your children.

Applying for social security for a minor child

If your child is under 18 on their arrival in France, they can be added to your own social security number as a beneficiary. To do this, once you've obtained your permanent social security number, you'll have to provide the relevant social security department with the following documents:

• A correctly completed Cerfa 14445*02 form

• A photocopy of your child's identity document (passport or residence permit)

• An identity document confirming your child's identity, as well as a certified translation if the document is not in French

• Your child's certificate of medical examination, issued by the French Office for Immigration and Integration, if they have joined you under the family reunification scheme

Registering a child over 18 for social security

A foreign child, who turns 18, or is already 18 on arrival in France must register for social security and obtain their own NIR. To do this, they will have to contact their local CPAM with the following documents:

• A correctly completed Cerfa 15763*02 form

• A photocopy of their identity document (passport or residence card)

• A civil status document confirming their identity together with a certified translation if the document is not in French

• Proof of employment if they are employed, or proof of residence if unemployed

Where can I find my NIR, or social security number if I'm a foreigner?

You can find your social security number in three places:

• On your health insurance card, where it is given below your name and surname. You should also note that even if you are a foreigner you can still obtain your own health insurance card

• On your certificate of entitlement that can be downloaded from your Ameli account once you have set it up

• On your salary slips if you work in France

Regarding your temporary social security number, you can find this on your temporary certificate issued by the welfare provider, once you have applied for registration with the social security system.

You now have all the information you need to request your temporary social security number as a foreigner residing regularly on French territory. WorldRemit is here to support you during your move to France with a range of free guides to life in France and abroad.

This article has been provided for informational purposes. It may not be considered as legal or financial advice. If you require financial or legal advice, consult an advisor or specialised lawyer.