Temporary Stay – Social Security Agreements

The Québec government has entered into, with certain countries, reciprocal social security agreements providing for healthcare coverage. These countries are:

• Belgium;
• Denmark;
• Finland;
• France;
• Greece;
• Luxembourg;
• Norway;
• Portugal;
• Sweden.

Under these agreements, temporary workers, students and detached workers may be eligible for the Québec Health Insurance Plan and benefit from the provisions of those agreements.

The purpose of these social security agreements is to promote mobility between Québec and the signatory countries. Among other things, they save persons arriving from outside Canada from having to wait for up to three months before becoming eligible for the Health Insurance Plan;

Here is how to register for the Health Insurance Plan.

Step 1: Fill out the registration form

First, obtain the required form from the Régie de l'assurance maladie.

Next, check the information appearing on the form and make corrections if necessary. Be sure to sign the form.

Step2: Attach the required documents

To be covered by the plan and to benefit from the provisions of a social security agreement, you must attach certain documents to your registration form.

After duplicating them, the Régie will return any original documents to you within 30 days, but you won't receive them at the same time as your Health Insurance Card.

Instead of an original document, you may submit a certified true copy from the issuing organization.

Temporary workers

Persons in Québec for work purposes must attach to their form the following documents:

• proof of insurance, or a certificate of affiliation with the health plan of their country of origin (these persons can find out what document to provide by contacting their country's social security organization);
• the original of their employment authorization issued by the Canadian immigration authorities.

Detached workers

Detached workers in Québec temporarily must attach to their form the following documents:

• a certificate of coverage issued by the organization administering the social security plan with which they are affiliated;
• the original of their employment authorization issued by the Canadian immigration authorities.

Students

Persons in Québec temporarily to pursue studies must attach to their form the following documents:

• proof of insurance, or a certificate of affiliation with the health plan of their country of origin (these persons can find out what document to provide by contacting their country's social security organization);
• their Québec acceptance certificate;
• an attestation of full-time enrolment at the educational institution attended;
• in the case of students from France, proof of French citizenship.

Spouses and dependants accompanying temporary workers, detached workers or students

These persons can be registered for the Health Insurance Plan and benefit from the provisions of a social security agreement. However, their name must appear on the proof of insurance, certificate of affiliation with the health plan of the country of origin or certificate of coverage submitted to the Régie by the worker or student they are accompanying. Spouses and dependants must attach to their form the originals of documents issued by the Canadian immigration authorities.

Before leaving your country

Remember to check whether the name of your spouse and that of your dependants can appear on your proof of insurance, certificate of affiliation with the health plan of your country of origin or your certificate of coverage.

Step 3: Have your photo taken

To obtain a Health Insurance Card, you must in most cases provide your signature and a photo meeting specifications established by the government. The section on photo and signature explains who must have their photo taken and what the procedure is.

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.