Mandatory Health Insurance

Under Québec law, all international students must hold valid health and hospital insurance coverage throughout their stay.¹

Depending on your country of origin, different options are available to you:

1. Social Security Agreements

Québec has signed social security agreements with the following 11 countries:

• Belgium

• Denmark

• Finland

• France and its territories

• Greece

• Luxembourg

• Norway

• Portugal

• Romania

• Serbia

• Sweden

Students from these countries may register with Québec’s health insurance and benefit free of charge from the coverage offered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ), provided they are affiliated with their home country’s social security system.²

Depending on your country of origin, you must bring a completed affiliation form with you to Québec. You can find the proper form here: Pursue studies or undergo training in Québec.

Please note: The following are not covered: Dental care, eye exams, prescription medications*, purchase of eyeglasses or contact lenses.

* Exceptions :

• International students from the 11 countries are covered under the Québec prescription drug plan until the day before their 18th birthday.
• From age 18 and up, only students from France and Belgium continue to be eligible for prescription drug coverage, under the specific agreement with Québec.

To be exempt from the cégep’s group insurance plan for international students, you must provide proof of your RAMQ registration to your cégep.

2. Scholarship Recipients from the Ministry of Higher Education

Students who have received a scholarship from Québec’s Ministry of Higher Education can register for RAMQ and benefit from its free coverage.

To register with RAMQ:

• Call RAMQ to receive your personalized registration form

• Mail in your completed form and all required documents

Please note:
Dental care, eye exams, prescription medications, and the purchase of glasses or contact lenses are not covered.

You must also provide proof of RAMQ registration to your cégep to be exempt from the group insurance plan for international students.

3. Group Insurance Plan for International Students

If your country is not listed under point 1, you are required to join your cégep’s group health and hospital insurance plan for international students.¹ No foreign insurance will be accepted by these cégeps. The annual premium for this plan (valid from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025) is $816 CAD.

The plan’s terms and covered services are detailed in the insurer’s brochure.

Exceptions:
This requirement does not apply to the following cégeps:

• Champlain College

• Dawson College

• Cégep de Granby

• Heritage College

• Collège Lionel-Groulx

• Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu

<sup>1. Under the regulations of Québec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI), and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
2. Under reciprocal social security agreements.</sup>