Corsica Healthcare System Guide
How the healthcare system works in Corsica — emergency numbers, GP access, vaccines, insurance and medical costs for visitors and expats.
Healthcare system overview
Corsica benefits from the excellent French healthcare system. Hospital Ajaccio (Hôpital de la Miséricorde) and Hospital Bastia (Centre Hospitalier de Bastia) are the main facilities. SAMU (15) provides emergency medical services. GR20 hiking trail generates significant mountain rescue activity. English is very limited — French essential.
System type: French NHS (Sécurité Sociale/ARS Corse) — same comprehensive system as mainland France
Emergency numbers & response
Dial: 15 (SAMU — medical) or 112 (European) or 18 (fire/rescue) or 114 (SMS emergency for deaf/hearing impaired)
Typical response time: 10-15 minutes in Ajaccio and Bastia. 20-40+ minutes in mountain interior. Helicopter rescue (hélicoptère de la Sécurité Civile) for mountain/GR20 emergencies.
Costs: Public ER (EHIC): mostly covered. Without insurance: €50-200+ (upfront, reimbursable). Sécurité Sociale covers 70-100% of most costs.
Call 15 (SAMU) for medical emergencies — French-speaking. GR20 trail injuries are the main tourist emergency — mountain rescue is free (covered by French system) but helicopter evacuation common. SOS Médecins for doctor house calls.
Seeing a doctor as a visitor
EU citizens: EHIC. SOS Médecins for house calls. Private médecin généraliste clinics. Pharmacies as first-line care (French tradition).
Typical wait: SOS Médecins: 1-3 hours. GP appointment: same-day to 2 days. ER: 1-4 hours.
Typical cost: GP consultation: €25 (tarif conventionné — 70% reimbursed with EHIC). SOS Médecins house call: €50-80. Specialist: €50-100.
Good in Ajaccio and Bastia. Adequate in Porto-Vecchio and Calvi. Limited in mountain interior.
Vaccines for travel
Recommended: Routine vaccines, Tetanus booster
No special requirements. GR20 hiking injuries and sunburn are main medical concerns.
Insurance & visa health requirements
Insurance required for visa: depends
Public coverage for visitors: limited
Part of France and the EU. Same entry requirements as mainland France.
Documents to prepare:
- EHIC/GHIC
- Passport/ID
- French medical phrases
- Travel insurance
Typical medical costs
Private GP visit: €25 (standard), €50-80 house call
Emergency care without insurance: €50-200
Medication: French pharmacy prices — regulated and affordable. Excellent pharmacies in main towns.
Pharmacies & medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-12pm, 2:30-7pm. Pharmacie de garde for after-hours.
Over the counter: Standard French range — pharmacists highly trained and can prescribe/advise.
Controlled substances: Standard French regulations.
Things that catch visitors out in Corsica
- French is ESSENTIAL — English very limited in Corsican healthcare
- GR20 (one of Europe's toughest trails) generates significant rescue operations — be prepared
- Mountain rescue is FREE (French public system) but helicopter evacuation is common
- Corsica benefits from the full French healthcare system — quality is high
- Interior mountain areas have very limited medical facilities
Practical tips for travellers
- Hôpital de la Miséricorde (Ajaccio) and CH de Bastia — main hospitals
- SOS Médecins for doctor house calls — available in Ajaccio and Bastia areas
- GR20 preparation: first aid kit essential, mobile signal poor on trail, register at refuges
- French phrases: "J'ai besoin d'un médecin" (I need a doctor), "C'est urgent" (It's urgent)
- EHIC provides excellent coverage under French system — most costs reimbursed
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