Theme course

Life in French society

Study healthcare, work, school, family life, civil registration, and everyday life in France.

Emergency Numbers

15 — SAMU (medical emergency)

17 — Police

18 — Fire brigade

112 — European emergency number

These numbers are free and available 24/7.

Carte Vitale — Proves your right to health insurance reimbursement.

Primary doctor — Coordinates your care and refers you to specialists. See this doctor first for non-urgent health issues.

Supplementary health insurance — Covers part of what public health insurance does not reimburse.

Emergency room — Only for life-threatening situations or serious injuries.

Compulsory vaccinations — Protect everyone against serious diseases.

Everyone living in France has the right to healthcare coverage.

France Travail — The first step for job seekers. It helps unemployed people find work.

SMIC — The legal minimum wage. Employers must pay at least the SMIC.

35 hours/week — Legal working time.

Undeclared work is illegal.

Women can create businesses on the same basis as men. Foreigners with valid residency can create businesses under certain conditions.

Minors can work from age 16 under special conditions.

School is compulsory for all children living in France, girls and boys, up to age 16.

Structure: primary school → middle school (collège) → secondary school (lycée) → baccalauréat.

Enrolled children must attend regularly.

Children who do not speak French have the right to go to school and receive language support.

Marriage is only legally recognized if celebrated at the mairie (town hall). A religious ceremony alone is not legally valid.

Birth declaration: within 5 days of birth at the mairie.

Parental authority: parents must protect, educate, and provide for their children.

Driver's license: After passing, you need car insurance and a carte grise (registration).

1. Which emergency number calls SAMU?Answer to remember : 15
2. Which emergency number calls the fire brigade?Answer to remember : 18
3. After getting a driving license, what must you do to drive your car?Answer to remember : Insure the vehicle and have a registration certificate
4. Under what conditions is a marriage legally recognized?Answer to remember : It must be celebrated at the town hall
5. When must you declare your child to the civil registry at the town hall?Answer to remember : Within 5 days after birth
6. Undeclared work is:Answer to remember : Illegal and punishable by law

Download the offline guide or continue with the live practice tools below.

Healthcare, employment, education, emergency numbers, civil registration, parenting.