Social Security budget: MPs vote to tax American retirees residing in France

American retirees living in France achieved a minor miracle: a majority was formed in the National Assembly on Saturday, November 8, during the examination of the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS). With 176 votes in favor and 79 against, the LR, RN, MoDem, and Renaissance (EPR) deputies joined forces with their colleague François Gernigon (Horizons, Maine-et-Loire) to vote for the principle of a "minimum contribution" for foreign retirees who have been issued a French health insurance card (Carte Vitale) for three months after their arrival in France.

The Minister for Public Action and Accounts, Amélie de Montchalin, offered a cautious perspective, stating that the government "was taking this matter very seriously." While the National Rally, through a sub-amendment, hoped to broaden the scope to include all foreign nationals, the Minister defined the boundaries by limiting it to G20 countries. "We plan to revise the existing agreements with these countries to ensure their participation. Because reciprocity is often lacking," she added.

The amendment proposed by Mr. Gernigon initially targeted US citizens holding a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS): often wealthy retirees who receive free social security benefits. The Horizons MP defends it as "a measure of fairness and common sense," even though he is well "aware that it is not American citizens who are going to plug the social security deficit."

By the end of the year, this deficit is expected to reach €23 billion. "This is a downward spiral that undermines citizens' trust in the fairness of our system. National solidarity cannot be a one-way street. When we benefit from our healthcare system, the best in the world, we must also contribute to it," he argued before the National Assembly. "The French people, for their part, contribute every month to keep our system running and to have access to healthcare."

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