Hospital Fees in France: What Changes in March 2026

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title: "Hospital Fees in France: What Changes in March 2026",

metaTitle: "Hospital Fees in France: What Changes…",

description: "Hospital stay costs €22/day from March 2026 (was €20). Forfait hospitalier not reimbursed by Sécurité Sociale but covered by most mutuelle plans.",

author: "Sophie Martin",

lastUpdated: "30 April 2026",

canonical: "https://checkeverything.fr/en/blog/hospital-fees-march-2026",

};

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{

"@type": "Question",

"name": "Is the forfait hospitalier charged for day visits (consultations)?",

"acceptedAnswer": {

"@type": "Answer",

"text": "No. It applies only when you spend at least one night in the hospital. Consultations and day procedures without overnight stay are not subject to the daily hospital fee."

}

},

{

"@type": "Question",

"name": "Can I refuse to pay the forfait hospitalier?",

"acceptedAnswer": {

"@type": "Answer",

"text": "No. It is a legally mandated contribution. However, your mutuelle should cover it in full under most plans that qualify as 'responsible contracts'."

}

},

{

"@type": "Question",

"name": "What about emergency admissions — same rate?",

"acceptedAnswer": {

"@type": "Answer",

"text": "Yes. The forfait hospitalier rate is the same regardless of whether admission was planned or via the emergency room. The €22/day (or €16.50 for psychiatric) applies to all overnight stays."

}

},

{

"@type": "Question",

"name": "Are the rates the same in public and private hospitals?",

"acceptedAnswer": {

"@type": "Answer",

"text": "Yes. The forfait hospitalier is a nationally standardised fee set by government decree. It applies equally to public hospitals (hôpitaux publics) and private clinics (cliniques privées). However, private clinics may charge additional fees (dépassements) for specialist care beyond what the tarif conventionné covers."

}

},

{

"@type": "Question",

"name": "I have no mutuelle — how much will I pay?",

"acceptedAnswer": {

"@type": "Answer",

"text": "The forfait hospitalier alone: €22 × 7 = €154 for a week-long stay. Plus any ticket modérateur on the medical acts themselves (typically 20-30% of the Sécurité Sociale tariff). Costs can add up quickly without complementary cover. Consider getting a mutuelle to avoid these out-of-pocket expenses."

}

},

{

"@type": "Question",

"name": "What does my mutuelle cover?",

"acceptedAnswer": {

"@type": "Answer",

"text": "Since 2015, all mutuelles that qualify as 'responsible contracts' must cover the forfait hospitalier in full (minimum €18.21/day, but most cover the full €22). Standard comprehensive plans typically cover the full amount plus some or all of the ticket modérateur. Check your policy or contact your insurer to confirm coverage details."

}

}

]

};