Repatriation to France from abroad: the guide

You’re away on a trip and suddenly you have an accident: how can you be repatriated and return to France? What steps do you need to take before you leave to qualify for repatriation? How do you manage a repatriation operation in the event of an illness such as COVID-19? How do you return a loved one’s remains to France? We’ll guide you and answer your questions.

The different reasons for repatriation to France?

Repatriation to France is possible in three specific cases, grouped into two categories:

Repatriation for medical reasons

In the event of accident or illness in the country where you are, it is possible, subject to medical advice and the absence of competent medical facilities on site, to be repatriated to receive the necessary treatment in France.

Funeral repatriation

In extreme cases, the death of a French citizen abroad often involves repatriation of the deceased’s body for burial in France.

Medical repatriation or RAPASAN

RAPASAN, as distinct from medical evacuation (EVASAN), is the early repatriation of a person to his or her country or city of origin to receive medical care that cannot be provided locally. Medical repatriation can be either medicalized or non-medicalized. Medical repatriation involves medical personnel accompanying the patient. Medical repatriation can be carried out by ambulance, train or plane.

Medical repatriation to France: what conditions must be met?

To benefit from medical repatriation, several conditions must be met. There are two main ones:

the patient’s condition: state of health, risks, etc.
the medical infrastructures available in the host country: are they adapted to the patient’s condition or not? Is there a mortal risk or not?

If the local doctor in charge of the patient considers, in agreement with the French medical authority consulted at the time of the repatriation request, that the risks for the patient are less, the medical repatriation will not take place.

N.B.: If you are traveling within the European Union and hold a European Health Insurance Card, you should be aware that unforeseen and medically necessary treatment, such as hospitalization, may be covered. This means you don’t have to be repatriated.

How is medical repatriation from abroad covered?

There are several ways in which the cost of medical repatriation from abroad can be covered:

Repatriation/travel insurance

If you take out repatriation-assistance insurance before leaving on a trip abroad, you’ll be covered for repatriation if necessary. However, not all costs are covered, so be sure to check before you leave. Moreover, repatriation may be refused in certain countries deemed too dangerous.

Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs

In the event of indigence, a national may request that repatriation for medical reasons be paid for by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. Under no circumstances is this an obligation on the part of the French government, and this action is carried out free of charge in very special cases.

Credit card

Bank cards often include medical repatriation insurance in their contracts. Check the options defined in the contract to find out which expenses are covered and at what level.

Social security or mutual insurance

When you’re abroad, the French social security system doesn’t play a direct role in covering the cost of repatriation. You may, after the fact, be reimbursed for the cost of certain treatments, but nothing is guaranteed. You should contact your health insurance provider once you have returned to France. Your mutual insurance company or health insurance company may also be involved in reimbursing medical repatriation costs.

In this case, the cost of medical repatriation is the patient’s responsibility. By taking out insurance, you can avoid any financial setbacks and travel with peace of mind.

How much does medical repatriation from abroad cost?

The price of a RAPASAN depends on various criteria (country of care, need for a medical flight or not, medical staff accompanying the patient or not, etc.) but overall, we can put the cost at around €40,000.

Funeral repatriation

Funeral repatriation is the repatriation of a deceased person to the country of burial. To be authorized, repatriation requires special administrative procedures and standardized transport conditions.

Funeral repatriation to France: what administrative procedures are involved?

In order to repatriate a loved one who has died abroad, there are a number of administrative formalities to be completed:

Notify the local authorities of the death
Notify the consular authorities of the death
Obtain a death certificate
Obtain authorization to close the coffin

Funeral repatriation to France: what are the conditions for air transport?

As with any funeral repatriation, it is absolutely forbidden to transport a body by one’s own means. For a transfer of remains to France, the deceased must be placed in an airtight coffin and conservation care must be carried out. Please note: certain standards concerning repatriation of remains depend on the country and airline concerned.

How long does it take for a funeral to be repatriated to France?

French law allows burial between 2 and 6 days after death. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

What about funeral repatriation from abroad?

Funeral repatriation can be covered by two types of insurance:

travel insurance
funeral insurance

In this case, it’s a good idea to find out which policies the deceased has taken out. They cover certain expenses, but not necessarily the full cost of repatriation.

What is the cost of repatriation from abroad to France?

The cost of repatriating a body to France varies between €2,000 and €5,000. Many factors influence the overall price (choice of coffin, its weight, the journey between the place of death and the destination, the ceremony, etc.).

Repatriation to France due to COVID-19

How do you repatriate a COVID-19 patient to France? In this situation, repatriation is by medical flight. The medical aircraft is equipped with a Covid bubble and appropriate medical equipment. The patient is also supervised by expert medical staff.

How much does a COVID-19 medical repatriation to France cost?

This type of repatriation costs between €20,000 and €30,000.

Repatriation to France with AEROAFFAIRES

Thanks to our team of experts available 24/7, you can get all the answers to your questions about our repatriation programs: medical, funeral or COVID-19 cases. Contact us on +33 1 44 09 91 82 or get a quote online.

See also our articles on repatriation to Morocco, repatriation to Morocco and repatriation to Algeria.