You state the following: 'In individual terms then yes, I guess it will be too late, but at least you'd be allowed back into the CMU as soon as it was confirmed, instead of waiting until you've been a resident here for five years.' Can you please quote where the French Government/CMU/CPAM has accepted this 5-year rule if, indeed, there is such a rule.? We have close friends who have been permanently resident in France for 12 years and have held Cartes Vitales for well over 5 years already. He is aged 61 and his wife is 55. They have been informed by letter from CMU that they will be granted, as a special case, continuing cover until 31 March 2008 (for which they must pay a contribution) but after that date they MUST purchase private health insurance if they wish to reside permanently in France. They have appealed against this decision, providing all necessary documentation proving their residence here for 12 years. This has not been accepted by CMU who do not recognise any 5-year rule.