American retirees living in France achieved something of a minor miracle on Saturday, November 8: getting a large majority of the Assemblée Nationale to agree on a measure. As lawmakers debated next year's social security budget, parties from the center to the far right backed a proposal from center-right MP François Gernigon to impose a "minimum contribution" on foreign retirees who benefit from universal healthcare coverage after just three months of living in France. The amendment to the social security budget passed with 176 votes in favor and 79 against.
Amélie de Montchalin, the public accounts minister, did not take a side but said the government was "taking this issue very seriously." While the far-right Rassemblement National, through a sub-amendment, had hoped to extend the measure to all foreign nationals, the minister limited the scope to G20 countries. "We have planned to revise the agreements with these countries so that there is this contribution. Because, very often, there is no reciprocal arrangement," she added.
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The American retirees who benefit from free French social security
€23 billion deficit
