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 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
Original documents or photocopies
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 have your photo taken (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 the applicant's 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 located in Canada.
The type of document you need to attach to your form depends on your situation:
Temporary stay
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 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 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 a college- or university-level educational institution recognized by the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport;
- 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.
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 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.