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
- Romania, and
- Sweden
The purpose of these social security agreements is to promote mobility between Québec and the signatory countries.
Under these agreements, temporary workers, students and detached workers Detached worker
Workers carrying out activities in a different country than the one where their employer is located. They remain subject to their employer. may be eligible for the Québec Health Insurance Plan and benefit from the provisions of those agreements. Among other things, they save persons arriving from outside Canada from having to wait for up to 3 months before becoming eligible for the Health Insurance Plan.
Registration procedure 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.
Step 2: Attach the required documents
You must attach certain documents to your registration form.
If, as part of the registration process, you go to a service outlet (usually a CLSC) to be authenticated (see step 3), bring the required original documents, along with legible photocopies of both sides of each document. An agent will check the originals and hand them back to you afterwards. The photocopies will be forwarded to the Régie, together with the form.
If you go to one of the Régie's reception desks, only the original documents are required. An agent will check them and hand them back to you afterwards.
If you are one of those people who doesn't need to have their photo taken and you mail your form and required documents, you must send the originals. After duplicating them, the Régie will return them to you within 30 days, but you won't receive them at the same time as your Health Insurance Card.
Instead of original documents, you may submit certified true copies Certified true copy
A copy of an original document that is certified true by a competent authority. Not just a photocopy. Only true certified copies from the organization that issued the original document are accepted by the Régie de l'assurance maladie.
Foreign language documents
Documents written in a language other than French or English must be translated into French (at your expense). The Régie accepts translations done by members of the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec
or by members of companies or organizations recognized by the Conseil des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes du Canada. The Régie also accepts translations done by staff members of foreign states' consulates or embassies.
The type of document you need to attach to your form depends on your situation:
Temporary stay
Temporary worker
If you are in Québec for work purposes, you must attach to your form the following documents:
- proof of insurance, or a certificate of affiliation with the health plan of your country of origin (to find out what document to provide, contact your country's social security organization)
- the original of your employment authorization issued by the Canadian immigration authorities. The authorization must indicate the employer's name and the place of employment
Detached worker
If you are a detached worker Detached worker
Workers carrying out activities in a different country than the one where their employer is located. They remain subject to their employer. in Québec temporarily, attach to your form the following documents:
- a certificate of coverage issued by the organization administering the social security plan with which you are affiliated
- the original of your employment authorization issued by the Canadian immigration authorities. The authorization must indicate the employer's name and the place of employment
Student
Attach to your form the following documents:
- proof of insurance, or a certificate of affiliation with the health plan of their country of origin:
- France (The forms issued by the Caisse des Français à l’étranger (CFE) for use by French students registered as insured persons or dependants of an insured person are accepted):
- Form SE 401-Q-102 (student registered in a study program leading to a diploma)
- Form SE 401-Q-104 (student taking part in a mandatory, unpaid training period)
- Form SE 401-Q-106 (student taking part in an exchange)
- Belgium: Form BE/QUE 128
- Denmark: Denmark health card
- Finland: Form SF/Q 4
- Greece: Form GR/QUE 6
- Luxembourg: Form LUX-QUE 4
- Norway: Attestation issued by the HELFO (health administration) or by NAV (Norwegian national insurance scheme for abroad)
- Portugal: Form POR/QUE 4
- Romania: Form ROU/QUE 106
- Sweden: Attestation issued by a competent institution certifying the student's right to healthcare coverage
- your Québec acceptance certificate
- an attestation of full-time enrolment at a college- or university-level educational institution recognized by the Ministère de l'Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur. French students enroled at the vocational level must attach an attestation of full-time enrolment in a vocational-level educational institution.
Spouse and dependant accompanying a temporary worker, detached worker or student
You can be registered for the Health Insurance Plan and benefit from the provisions of a social security agreement. However, your 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 you are accompanying. Spouses and dependants must attach to their form the originals of documents issued by the Canadian immigration authorities.
Taking up residence in Canada
In addition to the required proof-of-identity documents, you must attach to your form proof of insurance or a certificate of affiliation with the social security plan of your country of origin. To find out what document to provide, contact your country's social security organization. Alternatively, you can call the Régie or visit an office of the Régie, so that an agent can assess your situation.
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.
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.
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 Retraite Québec and the Commission des normes, de l'équité, 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 et de la Francophonie.