Life in French society

• For a non-urgent problem, first see your primary doctor.
• The Carte Vitale proves your reimbursement rights.
• 15: SAMU, 18: fire brigade, 112: European emergency number.
• Hospital emergency rooms are reserved for serious or life-threatening situations.
• A mutuelle complements the reimbursement of care.

France Travail supports people looking for a job.

A minor may work from age 16 under certain conditions.

The legal working week is 35 hours.

Compulsory vaccinations help protect the population against certain serious diseases.

School is compulsory until age 16.

A child who does not yet speak French well may still attend school with adapted support.

Regular attendance is compulsory.

• After primary school, pupils go to collège, then lycée.
• The diploma at the end of lycée is the baccalauréat.

• A marriage is legally recognized only if celebrated at the mairie.
• A birth must be declared within 5 days.
• After a driving license, you also need insurance and a registration document.

Life in France involves regular procedures: civil status at the mairie, residence permit follow-up, health insurance, children's schooling, housing, and work.

The exam may test basic administrative reflexes: where to declare, within what time limit, and which service to contact.

The French health system relies on health insurance, the Carte Vitale, the primary doctor, and often a mutuelle.

Emergency services are for serious situations. Compulsory vaccinations and medical follow-up help protect everyone.

In France, working legally means declared work, a salary that respects the law, often a contract, and social-protection rights.

The real exam may contrast a normal job with undeclared work, or check that a salary below the SMIC is not acceptable.

• Non-urgent health problem: primary doctor first.
• Serious or life-threatening situation: emergency services / 15 / 18 / 112 depending on the case.
• School is compulsory until age 16.
• Civil marriage at the mairie is required for legal recognition.
• A birth must be declared quickly at the civil registry.

• Do you know when to call 15, 18, or 112 ?
• Do you know what the Carte Vitale is for and what a mutuelle does ?
• Do you know the basics of compulsory schooling, civil marriage, and birth declaration ?
• Can you explain why declared work matters for social rights ?