Significant changes are underway for the Vitale card application, transitioning from a physical card to digital access via the France Identité app. This initiative, aiming for widespread availability by 2026, allows users to upload their Vitale card information and generate QR codes for healthcare services. While the digital format is not mandatory, concerns about accessibility for those without smartphones remain. Future developments may include biometric features to enhance security against fraud.
Changes are on the horizon for the Vitale card application. Following tests across various French departments since 2024, it is now becoming more readily accessible via the France Identité app, which acts as the entry point for adding the Vitale card to your smartphone. The process is relatively straightforward but involves several steps.
Transitioning from Physical to Digital
Since its introduction in 1998 as a small plastic card, the Vitale card is now undergoing a significant transformation. Nearly two decades later, it is embracing digitalization, a move announced by the government in 2019. The objective is to create a mobile application compatible with both Android and iOS for this essential document.
The main features of this initiative were officially outlined in a decree released on December 28, 2022, which establishes the timeline for deployment, the personal data accessible through the app, and the operational guidelines. As we approach 2026, the rollout is entering its final phase.
Availability of the Mobile Vitale Card Application
The application is currently accessible on both the App Store for iOS users and Google Play for Android users. Although it can be downloaded immediately, its functionality is limited to those with the new electronic national identity card (CNIe) using the France Identité app or residing in designated departments.
A decree from the Minister of Health dated December 28, 2022, specified that the public should expect access to this application “by December 31, 2025, at the latest.” Therefore, widespread availability is anticipated by 2026.
According to the Health Insurance website, the app’s rollout is part of an ongoing experiment initiated by a 2019 decree, aimed at creating a dedicated application for various health insurance funds. This trial was initially scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2022, but has been extended.
Confidence in the program’s success is evident, as noted by Acteurs Publics in early 2023, despite the ongoing nature of the experiment. Concerns have been raised by the National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (Cnil), highlighting the need for completion before full implementation, as reported by journalist Émile Marzolf.
Testing the Vitale Card Application in Select Departments
The France Identité app serves as a pathway to digitize your Vitale card, with alternative options available in select departments. Initially limited to eight territories, the list has expanded to include twenty-three major administrative regions. This list may grow further by 2025:
During the experimental phase, residents in these areas can scan their Vitale card number to upload it into the application, which then generates a QR Code. This code can be presented to eligible healthcare providers or at pharmacies, depending on the feature’s availability.
Rationale Behind the E-Health Insurance Card
The Ministry of Health supports this initiative based on a sociological trend: a significant portion of the population owns a smartphone, which plays a pivotal role in managing daily tasks such as emails, banking, and administrative processes. However, the physical card will remain available for accessibility purposes.
Nonetheless, the application aims to serve as a key identification and authentication tool for patients within the healthcare system. To ensure its successful adoption, healthcare professionals and pharmacies must be equipped to read the QR codes from the app.
Data Collection by the Vitale Card App
The digital version of the Vitale card will include various personal information:
Is the Mobile Vitale Card Application Mandatory?
No, similar to the identity card and driving license, the Health Insurance authorities emphasize the coexistence of both physical and digital formats. This dematerialized option is akin to transportation methods where paper tickets are used alongside digital passes.
This dual system helps prevent the exclusion of individuals without smartphones—over ten percent of the population, as indicated by the 2021 digital barometer from Crédoc, a figure that continues to decrease annually. These individuals would be unable to download the app on either an iPhone or an Android device.
Looking ahead, the future of the physical Vitale card may be reconsidered, but due to the challenges some individuals face with digital technology—where digital illiteracy affects millions—maintaining a physical version remains crucial.
Possibility of a Biometric Vitale Card
Similar to passports and new national identity cards, the Vitale card could potentially incorporate a module for storing biometric data, such as a digitized photo and fingerprints of the cardholder.
This future application would compare the holder’s identity document photo with an image captured by their smartphone. These two images would be analyzed using biometric templates, which must be deleted within 96 hours after the application is activated.
The topic of a biometric Vitale card resurfaced in the summer of 2022 during discussions surrounding the amended finance law for that year. This legislation allocated 20 million euros to develop a biometric Vitale card system, a project that may eventually converge with the mobile application in the future.
The current mobile application design does not include biometric data beyond the holder’s photo, and there are no plans to incorporate fingerprints. However, if a biometric Vitale card is implemented, this could become necessary.
Supported by right-wing senators, the rationale for this perspective stems from concerns about potential fraud: “using the lowest estimate of surplus Vitale cards in circulation, roughly 2 million cards, it is suggested that fraud could reach up to 6 billion euros.” The higher estimate could even reach 5.3 million cards.
Despite this, such evaluations face significant criticism. Health journalist Vincent Granier highlighted this summer that the extent of this alleged fraud “has never been substantiated” and is “poorly documented.” The number of surplus Vitale cards is likely much lower, making the 6 billion euro fraud figure appear exaggerated.