For a European healthcare professional settling in France, it is essential to understand how the retirement system works: contributions, schemes, rights acquired abroad, and procedures to anticipate. This guide explains the basics in simple language to help you plan your career with peace of mind.
The retirement system in brief
The French retirement relies on mandatory contributions paid during active life. They fund rights that will be converted into a pension upon retirement. Two components usually coexist:
- Basic retirement: linked to your salaried contributions (validation of periods/quarters).
- Supplementary retirement: rights usually acquired in the form of points.
Hospital employee, private clinic or liberal practice: what changes
Depending on your mode of practice, contributing organizations and calculation rules may vary:
- Salaried (hospital/private clinic): contributions are deducted directly from the payroll. You acquire rights in the basic and supplementary schemes.
- Liberal practice: contributions are paid to the competent health professional funds. The amounts depend on your professional income.
In all cases, your pay slip or contribution calls specify the amounts and concerned organizations.
Rights acquired abroad (European portability)
If you have worked in one or more European Union countries, the periods contributed abroad can be considered for your rights opening. Each country then calculates its pension share based on the contributed periods on its territory. This prevents "losing" your international career years.
When and how to prepare your retirement
Some useful practices during your settlement and throughout your career in France:
- Keep your proof documents: contracts, pay slips, employer attestations, internship/replacement periods.
- Check your career statement: regularly verify accounted periods and salaries.
- Plan ahead: at the end of your career, prepare the retirement application dossier with both French and foreign documents.
Impact of career choices
Part-time periods, non-contributory leaves, or foreign activity phases can alter the pace of your rights acquisition. On-call duties and shifts are usually included in the salaried contribution base, which can increase your calculation base. The objective: maintain a contributions trajectory coherent with your life plan.
Plan your total income
Your future pension depends on your entire career. To manage your project (mobility, specialty, contract type), start by correctly estimating your current remuneration in France via our salary simulators and explore possible career paths in the doctors in France section. For quick answers on settlement procedures, also check the FAQ.
Quick checklist
- Identify your status (salaried/liberal) and associated funds.
- Keep all proof documents (pay, contracts, periods abroad).
- Periodically check your French career statement.
- Plan coordination with your previous EU activity countries.
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