Can visitors use public healthcare in Corsica?

Visitors get limited public cover — emergency care is usually available, but routine care often is not. Emergency treatment is available to everyone regardless of status.

Do I need health insurance to travel to Corsica?

It depends on your nationality and visa type; several routes require proof of medical cover. Without cover, emergency care costs €50-200.

How do I see a Doctor in Corsica?

EU citizens: EHIC. SOS Médecins for house calls. Private médecin généraliste clinics. Pharmacies as first-line care (French tradition). Good in Ajaccio and Bastia. Adequate in Porto-Vecchio and Calvi. Limited in mountain interior.

Healthcare in Corsica: Costs & Emergency Numbers

Name: Healthcare in Corsica: Costs & Emergency Numbers
Creator: ViscaCare

Emergency Numbers & Access

In an emergency, call 15 (SAMU — medical)

Call 15 (SAMU) for medical emergencies — French-speaking. GR20 trail injuries are the main tourist emergency — mountain rescue is free (covered by French system) but helicopter evacuation common. SOS Médecins for doctor house calls.

Response time: 10-15 minutes in Ajaccio and Bastia. 20-40+ minutes in mountain interior. Helicopter rescue (hélicoptère de la Sécurité Civile) for mountain/GR20 emergencies.

Cost: Public ER (EHIC): mostly covered. Without insurance: €50-200+ (upfront, reimbursable). Sécurité Sociale covers 70-100% of most costs.

Healthcare System

Corsica benefits from the excellent French healthcare system. Hospital Ajaccio (Hôpital de la Miséricorde) and Hospital Bastia (Centre Hospitalier de Bastia) are the main facilities. SAMU (15) provides emergency medical services. GR20 hiking trail generates significant mountain rescue activity. English is very limited — French essential.

Designed for: French residents and EHIC holders. All French healthcare standards apply.

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GP Access & Costs

EU citizens: EHIC. SOS Médecins for house calls. Private médecin généraliste clinics. Pharmacies as first-line care (French tradition).

Typical wait: SOS Médecins: 1-3 hours. GP appointment: same-day to 2 days. ER: 1-4 hours.

Availability: Good in Ajaccio and Bastia. Adequate in Porto-Vecchio and Calvi. Limited in mountain interior.

GP Visit

GP consultation: €25 (tarif conventionné — 70% reimbursed with EHIC)

Private GP

€25 (standard), €50-80 house call

ER Without Insurance

€50-200

Medication

French pharmacy prices — regulated and affordable. Excellent pharmacies in main towns.

Health insurance is strongly recommended

Pharmacy & Medication

Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-12pm, 2:30-7pm. Pharmacie de garde for after-hours.

OTC: Standard French range — pharmacists highly trained and can prescribe/advise.

Controlled substances: Standard French regulations.

Practical Tips

Hôpital de la Miséricorde (Ajaccio) and CH de Bastia — main hospitals
SOS Médecins for doctor house calls — available in Ajaccio and Bastia areas
GR20 preparation: first aid kit essential, mobile signal poor on trail, register at refuges
French phrases: "J'ai besoin d'un médecin" (I need a doctor), "C'est urgent" (It's urgent)
EHIC provides excellent coverage under French system — most costs reimbursed

Who can get care in Corsica?

Emergency care for anyone

Emergency departments in Corsica treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.

Public system for visitors

Visitors get partial public cover — usually emergencies only, with routine care paid privately.

Seeing a Doctor as a visitor

EU citizens: EHIC. SOS Médecins for house calls. Private médecin généraliste clinics. Pharmacies as first-line care (French tradition). Typical cost: GP consultation: €25 (tarif conventionné — 70% reimbursed with EHIC). SOS Médecins house call: €50-80. Specialist: €50-100. Typical wait: SOS Médecins: 1-3 hours. GP appointment: same-day to 2 days. ER: 1-4 hours.

Insurance needed for entry or visa

It depends on nationality and visa route — several routes require proof of medical cover.

Documents worth having ready

EHIC/GHIC
Passport/ID
French medical phrases
Travel insurance

Local contacts in Corsica

Emergency services

15 (SAMU — medical) / 112 (European) / 18 (fire/rescue) / 114 (SMS emergency for deaf/hearing impaired)

Pharmacies

Mon-Sat 9am-12pm, 2:30-7pm. Pharmacie de garde for after-hours.

Standard French range — pharmacists highly trained and can prescribe/advise.

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What is the emergency number in Corsica?

15 (SAMU — medical) or 112 (European) or 18 (fire/rescue) or 114 (SMS emergency for deaf/hearing impaired) in Corsica. Call 15 (SAMU) for medical emergencies — French-speaking. GR20 trail injuries are the main tourist emergency — mountain rescue is free (covered by French system) but helicopter evacuation common. SOS Médecins for doctor house calls.

How much does a Doctor visit cost in Corsica?

GP consultation: €25 (tarif conventionné — 70% reimbursed with EHIC). SOS Médecins house call: €50-80. Specialist: €50-100. Private consultations: €25 (standard), €50-80 house call.

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Sources: ARS Corse (Agence Régionale de Santé), SAMU 15, French Ministry of Health

Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare

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