We have healthcare cover again!

I mentioned before that healthcare in France is not like in the UK where everyone qualifies to receive it. You have to contribute to the system before you are covered. Another difference is that the state doesn't cover 100% anyway, but that is another riviting topic. We were covered for the first two years because the UK paid as we had full NI contributions. As we don't work in France we are not paying the French NI equivelent so we had to apply to be allowed to make contributions and join the system in a different way. Since 2007, France has been denying this to citizens of other EU countries until they have been resident for 5 years. However this is slowly changing as it is against EU rules. 

I spoke to a help line to find out what the criteria for acceptance are, they said it was decided on a case by case basis so we just had to apply and see.

We did and we have been accepted - so we are covered again. Hurrah!