Agreements with other countries
The Québec government has entered into reciprocal social security agreements, which include a health component, with the following countries:
- Belgium;
- Denmark;
- Finland;
- France;
- Greece;
- Luxembourg;
- Norway;
- Portugal; and
- Sweden.
The provisions of those agreements concern temporary workers, students, employees who are detached Detached worker
Workers carrying out activities in a different country than the one where their employer is located. They remain subject to their employer. from their employers and, in certain cases, the spouse Spouse
Two persons (of the opposite sex or the same sex) are considered spouses if they are married and have entered into a civil union, or have been living together for 12 months (separations of less than 90 days do not interrupt the 12-month period), or are living together (regardless of for how long) and together have had or have adopted a child. and dependants accompanying them.
The purpose of these agreements is to promote mobility between Québec and signatory countries. Among other things, they:
- allow persons to be covered by the health insurance plan offered in those countries;
- save the persons from having to go through a waiting period before becoming eligible for that country's health insurance coverage.
Before leaving Québec
Temporary workers and students must get an attestation of affiliation with the Québec Health Insurance Plan. To obtain it, contact the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec.
Detached workers must obtain a certificate of coverage
from the Régie des rentes du Québec. Certain countries will require, in addition, an attestation of coverage with the Québec Health Insurance Plan.
Upon arrival in the host country
The attestation of affiliation or certificate of coverage must be presented to the host country's social security organization, accompanied, where applicable, by the documents required under the legislation of that country.
Further information
The social security agreements in effect include a pension component. Some of these agreements also contain provisions concerning industrial accidents and occupational diseases. For further information, go to the websites of the Régie des rentes du Québec and the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (French only).
For the full texts of these social security agreements, visit the website of the Ministère des Relations internationales.