France Advances Plan To End Free Health Care For Non‑EU Long‑Term Visa Holders

French lawmakers are moving forward with a proposal to require non‑EU long‑term visa holders to pay into France’s public healthcare system, ending the current path to free coverage after three months for qualifying retirees and other residents. The measure has cleared two parliamentary chambers and is framed by sponsors as a fairness and reciprocity move rather than a budget fix. The debate mirrors wider European shifts to restrict migrant access to welfare and healthcare and follows months of protests over spending cuts. Details on required contributions are pending, and rights groups signal potential legal and political pushback.