RAMQ for International Students: The Short Answer
Québec’s public health insurance, run by the RAMQ, covers international students only if they come from one of the 11 countries that have a social security agreement with Québec: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Sweden. These students pay no premium and have no waiting period once they are registered. Everyone else needs their university’s plan or private insurance — McGill’s International Student Health Insurance, for example, costs CAD 1,212 for a single student for 2026–27.
If you are a French student at McGill and registered with RAMQ, you pay no premium for basic health insurance. A Chinese student at McGill is enrolled in McGill’s international student plan instead. This guide explains how RAMQ works, how to register, and what to do if you do not qualify. All figures are as of October 2026.
What Is RAMQ?
RAMQ stands for Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec — Québec’s public health insurance agency. It administers the Québec Health Insurance Plan for residents and, through social security agreements, extends coverage to students from specific countries who stay in Québec temporarily.
For eligible international students, RAMQ is the gateway to doctor visits and hospital care without a premium.
RAMQ issues a Carte d’assurance maladie (health insurance card) to eligible students. You show this card at the doctor or hospital, and the provider bills RAMQ directly.
Which Countries Have Social Security Agreements With Quebec?
Québec has social security agreements with the following 11 countries. Students from these countries can apply for RAMQ coverage:
| Country | Agreement Status |
|---|---|
| Belgium | Active |
| Denmark | Active |
| Finland | Active |
| France | Active |
| Greece | Active |
| Luxembourg | Active |
| Norway | Active |
| Portugal | Active |
| Romania | Active |
| Serbia | Active |
| Sweden | Active |
Important: These are agreements with Québec specifically — not with Canada as a whole. A French student studying in Ontario does not benefit from this agreement. The agreement applies only when you study in Québec.
The agreements work both ways: people insured in a signatory country can use the Québec Health Insurance Plan when they settle in Québec or stay there temporarily to work, study or undergo training — and Québec residents can do the same in the signatory country. Tourists are not eligible.
Am I Eligible for RAMQ as an International Student?
You can register with RAMQ if all of the following apply:
- You are a native of one of the 11 agreement countries listed above and are insured under its social security system
- You hold a study or internship permit for your stay in Québec
- You have an attestation of coverage from your home country’s social security body — you must get it before you leave
- You live in Québec for your studies — you apply after you arrive
Each agreement sets its own conditions, for example on the type of study or the length of your stay. Your home country’s social security body tells you whether you qualify when it issues your attestation. Ask it early — without the attestation, RAMQ cannot register you.
Short language courses on a visitor visa do not qualify — tourists are not eligible for Québec health insurance.
How Does RAMQ Registration Work? (Step-by-Step)
Most students from agreement countries can register and extend their eligibility entirely online.
Step 1: Get Your Documents Before You Leave
You will need:
- Attestation of coverage under your country’s social security plan (issued by your home social security body — get it before departure)
- Study permit
- Passport
- Your Québec address, where RAMQ will send your health card
Pay attention to legibility: unclear copies delay the processing of your application.
Step 2: Apply Online After You Arrive
Apply through RAMQ’s online form for foreign students at ramq.gouv.qc.ca — after you arrive in Québec. Complete all fields, attach the requested documents and send your application.
Step 3: Wait for Processing
You receive an email acknowledging your application and telling you the processing time. During peak periods (for example, at the start of the autumn term), processing can take longer.
Because students from agreement countries are exempt from Québec’s waiting period, your coverage can start as soon as you register. Keep your acknowledgement email: if you need care before your card arrives, ask the clinic whether it can bill RAMQ later, and keep all receipts if you have to pay.
Step 4: Receive Your Letter of Eligibility and Health Card
RAMQ sends your letter of eligibility and your health insurance card separately to the address on your form. The card shows your name and your health insurance number.
Step 5: Extend Your Eligibility
Your eligibility is limited in time. If you extend your studies and your permit, apply online to extend your RAMQ eligibility before it ends.
What Does RAMQ Cover?
RAMQ covers the same core services as other provincial health plans in Canada:
Covered Services
| Service | Covered? |
|---|---|
| Doctor visits (GP) | Yes |
| Specialist visits (with referral) | Yes |
| Emergency room care | Yes |
| Hospital stays | Yes |
| Surgery | Yes |
| Lab tests and blood work | Yes |
| Diagnostic imaging (X-ray, MRI) | Yes — in hospital |
| Prescription drugs | Through a drug insurance plan — see below |
What RAMQ Does NOT Cover
| Service | Covered? |
|---|---|
| Dental care (adults) | No |
| Routine eye exams (adults) | No |
| Glasses or contact lenses | No |
| Physiotherapy (private clinics) | No |
| Psychological therapy (private) | No |
| Ambulance (in most cases) | No |
| Cosmetic procedures | No |
These gaps are the same as in other Canadian provinces. For a detailed breakdown of what Canadian provincial plans exclude, see our guide on provincial coverage gaps and UHIP.
Quebec’s Prescription Drug Insurance Rule
Québec has a mandatory prescription drug insurance rule that other provinces do not have: everyone who has taken up permanent residence in Québec must have prescription drug insurance.
Here is how it works:
- Private group plan first: If you have access to a private group plan — for example through your job, your spouse or your parents — you must join it.
- Public plan otherwise: If you have no access to a private plan, you are covered by RAMQ’s Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan, which covers more than 9,000 prescription drugs on its list. You pay part of the cost of each prescription.
How this rule applies to students who stay in Québec temporarily under a social security agreement is not spelled out on RAMQ’s general pages. Ask RAMQ when you register, and check whether your student association’s group plan includes drug coverage. RAMQ publishes the current amounts for the public plan on ramq.gouv.qc.ca.
What If I Am NOT Eligible for RAMQ?
Students from countries without an agreement with Québec — including China, India, the United States, the UK, Nigeria, the Philippines and most of the world — need a university plan or private health insurance.
University Health Plans
Most Québec universities enrol their international students in a mandatory health insurance plan and add the fee to their student account. Example:
- McGill International Student Health Insurance (IHI): CAD 1,212 for a single student for 2026–27 (CAD 404 per semester), from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027, administered with Medavie Blue Cross
Other universities choose their own insurer and set their own price — check your university’s international student office for this year’s rate.
Exemptions
University plans for international students are usually mandatory. Exemptions are limited: at McGill, for example, students covered by RAMQ can apply for an exemption before a fixed deadline each term. A policy from your home country is generally not enough — ask your university before you buy anything else.
Private Standalone Plans
If your school has no plan of its own (for example, some language schools), you can buy private student insurance. Plans in our catalogue include GuardMe Canada, Manulife CoverMe Student Travel Insurance and Ingle TuGo International Student Insurance. Check with your school that it accepts the plan before you buy.
Use our insurance comparison tool to evaluate your options, or try the Insurance Finder to get a tailored recommendation.
Comparison: RAMQ-Eligible vs Non-Eligible vs University Plan
| Feature | RAMQ-Eligible Student | Non-Eligible (University Plan) | Non-Eligible (Private Plan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | No premium | Set by your university — e.g. McGill CAD 1,212/year (2026–27, single) | Set by the insurer or your school — e.g. GuardMe Canada CAD 704/year (example rate) |
| Doctor visits | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Hospital care | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Prescription drugs | Drug insurance plan — ask RAMQ | Check your plan | Usually a 30-day supply per prescription |
| Dental | Not covered | Check your plan | Usually accidents only |
| Vision | Not covered | Check your plan | Check your plan |
| Coverage start | From registration — no waiting period | From the start of the plan period | From the policy start date |
Bottom line: RAMQ is clearly the cheapest option for eligible students. Everyone else is usually enrolled in their university’s mandatory plan.
RAMQ vs Other Canadian Provinces: How Does Quebec Compare?
Québec stands apart because its public plan covers international students only through social security agreements. Here is a quick comparison with other major study destinations:
| Province | International Student Coverage |
|---|---|
| Quebec | RAMQ (no premium) for 11 agreement countries; university or private plan for everyone else |
| Ontario | No provincial coverage; mandatory UHIP (CAD 948/year) at participating universities |
| British Columbia | MSP after a wait of the rest of the arrival month + 2 months; CAD 75/month health fee (since 2020) |
| Alberta | AHCIP with no premium and no waiting period for students with a 12-month study permit |
| Nova Scotia | Health card for students with a 12+ month study permit, but only from the 1st day of the 13th month |
For the complete province-by-province breakdown, see our Canada student health insurance guide and the Canada country page.
Tips for French-Speaking Students in Quebec
If you are coming from France, Belgium, Luxembourg, or another Francophone country, Québec is a natural fit. A few practical tips:
Language: French is the main language of Québec’s health system. RAMQ’s website and its online registration form are also available in English, but letters, clinics and pharmacies will often use French.
Finding a doctor: Many people in Québec do not have a family doctor (médecin de famille). Once you have your health card, register with the Québec Family Doctor Finder (Guichet d’accès à un médecin de famille, GAMF). While you wait, the Primary Care Access Point (Guichet d’accès à la première ligne, GAP) can assess your health need and refer you to an appropriate professional.
Walk-in clinics: Until you have a family doctor, you can use walk-in clinics (cliniques médicales) that accept RAMQ patients. Expect waits on busy days.
CLSC services: CLSCs (Centres locaux de services communautaires) offer local health and social services, such as nursing care, first-line mental health services and vaccination.
Emergency services: Dial 911 for emergencies. Québec uses the same emergency number as the rest of Canada. ER care is covered by RAMQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use RAMQ if I am on a co-op or internship semester?
Usually yes, as long as you keep a valid study or internship permit and still meet your agreement’s conditions. If your status changes — for example, you switch to a work permit — tell RAMQ, because your eligibility is tied to your permit.
What happens to my RAMQ coverage during summer break?
Your eligibility runs for the period RAMQ grants you, which is tied to your permit and your studies. If you withdraw, graduate or leave Québec for good, your coverage ends — let RAMQ know.
I am from France and I arrive in Quebec. Should I bring my Carte Vitale?
Your French Carte Vitale does not work in Québec — you get a RAMQ health card instead. What you need from France is the attestation of coverage from your social security body, issued before you leave. Keep your Carte Vitale for trips home; for travel in other European countries, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is the card that matters.
Does RAMQ cover mental health services?
Partially. Psychiatrists are covered by RAMQ, but you usually need a referral and waits can be long. Psychologists in private practice are not covered. CLSCs offer first-line mental health services, and many university plans for non-RAMQ students include psychologist sessions.
What do I do if I get sick before my health card arrives?
Students from agreement countries have no waiting period, so you can be covered from registration even before the card arrives. Bring your RAMQ acknowledgement email to the clinic and ask whether it can bill RAMQ later. If you have to pay, keep your receipts and ask RAMQ whether you can be reimbursed.
Can I buy private insurance in addition to RAMQ?
Yes. Private supplemental insurance (for dental, vision, physiotherapy) is allowed even if you have RAMQ. RAMQ covers the basics; supplemental plans cover the extras. Your university’s student association may offer supplemental plans you can join as a RAMQ-covered student.
What if I disagree with a RAMQ decision?
You can ask RAMQ to review its decision. The decision letter explains how to request a review and by when — keep it and act quickly.
Does RAMQ cover travel outside Quebec?
Only to a limited extent. Québec does not take part in the reciprocal billing agreement for physician services that the other provinces use, so a doctor in another province may bill you directly, and you then claim from RAMQ — which pays at Québec rates. Outside Canada, RAMQ pays only limited amounts. For travel abroad, always carry travel insurance.
Summary: Key Facts About RAMQ for International Students (2026)
- Eligible countries (11): Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sweden
- Cost for eligible students: No premium for health insurance
- Waiting period: None for students from agreement countries — coverage from registration
- Before you leave: Get an attestation of coverage from your home country’s social security body
- Registration: Online, after you arrive in Québec
- Cost for non-eligible students: Your university’s plan — e.g. McGill CAD 1,212 for 2026–27 (single)
- Coverage: Doctor visits, hospital, emergency, surgery, diagnostics
- Not covered: Dental, routine vision care, private physiotherapy, private psychologists, ambulance
- Prescription drugs: Québec requires drug insurance for permanent residents — ask RAMQ how it applies to you
Related Articles
- Student Health Insurance in Canada: Complete Guide
- Provincial Coverage & UHIP Gaps
- EHIC & GHIC: EU Students Health Insurance Abroad
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