About Me

Jan 21st 2009

Physiotherapist Living and Working in Les Gets, Morzine and St Jean d’Aulps

Hello, some information about me.  I am a Scottish Chartered Physiotherapist,I have been living and working in Les Gets, Morzine St Jean d’Aulps and in and around Haute Savoie, France for over 3 years now.

I obtained my BSc with Honors Degree in Physiotherapy, in Edinburgh, qualifying in 1996 and worked both within the NHS and private sports injury clinics quickly after qualifying.

I, as with many ex pats here fell in love with Les Gets, a ski resort in the French Alpes, next to Morzine, after a skiing holiday in 2001 and finally made the leap to live and work here in 2005.

The process of Registering my degree in France was laborious, however, eventually I obtained my Authorisation, after yet another dossier to register in the Department of choice, namely Haute Savoie, I received my registration Number.

I spoke some French before coming, however, the first 3 months saw a steep learning curve.  I was lucky to get a job within a local Cabinet, (Physio Clinic) and worked for them as a locum, whilst they were on holiday, that enabled me to get to know the area and of course try out my French on the locals, they were kind and corrected me regularly, but not too severely.

Time has marched on and now nearly 4 years later I work for myself in the Winter season as a domiciliary physio around many of the chalets and apartments within this area, treating mainly ski related injuries and providing Sports Massages for the tourists within their chalets and apartments in Les gets, Morzine and St Jean d’Aulps to name but a few.

I locum the rest of the year in Cabinets all around the area, treating everything from babies with bronchiolite to neurologic patients, virtually all French, occasionally I get to speak english.

Finally, if you feel you need to consult a physiotherapist or would like a sports massage whilst in the area, hopefully you will give me a call.  However, if for some reason you find someone else, please check that your physio is FULLY registered in France as you would not be covered by their insurance otherwise, being registered here means that all our qualifications are up to date and we are fully insured.

A bit of background info, the title “massage” is a protected title here, as is the title “physiotherapist” in Britain now, therefore, only qualified, fully registered physios (Masseur Kinésithérapists) to give them their full title, working in france are allowed to massage or give physio.  I am one of the few Registered here with all the legal bodies, including the Minister de la Santé, the Ordre of Masseur Kinésithérapeut, Departement of Securite Social, ADELLI and the CPAM, lots to do and pay, but you are sure you are fully insured when I treat or massage you, its simple to check, each physio has a unique registration number, beginning with 74 in haute savoie, you can ask to check it with the above organisations or contact the local Doctors Cabinet in Les Gets for a referral. I am also still registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists in Britain, so no problem if you need to claim some insurance back.

42 Responses to “About Me”

  1. Stacey on 24 Jul 2009 at 3:35 am #

    Hi Gail,

    I am a British physio hoping to work in the alps this winter, initially with a massage company and then hopfully finding some physio work too.

    I’d be really grateful if you could let me know how you went about getting registered to work in france, I’ve been searching the internet but its all a bit confusing!

    Do you find that there is enough work for you?

    Thanks – any help would be much appreciated!!

  2. Gail on 03 Aug 2009 at 1:51 pm #

    Hi just checked my blog, To be registered to work in France, firstly you have to send lots of paper work to the Minister de Sante department in France, they have papers to help you and speak english. I had to send detailes of all the hours for my degree over the 4 years and all the courses afterwards. It takes about 6 months at the most.

    When registered with them you can work in France, but need then to register with the department you choose, here is Haute Savoie in Annecy, another dossier and a day visit with all your paperwork, you then get a number to work in France.

    There is plenty of work, but the system here is odd either you are private and work when you want, but you are not allowed to charge what you want! the state sets a meesly 15.30€ per seance! or you can work with hospitals etc, but the salary is even less.

    The one thing for sure is that you are not allowed to do even massage in France, even just in winter, without being a physio or registered in France, they are at the point of starting to take people to court, including the beauticians who massage.

    Hope that helps.

    Gail Heatley

  3. Jacqui on 10 Sep 2009 at 5:39 am #

    Dear Gail,

    I read your blog with great interest about obtaining registration here in France. My application for Permanent work is currently pending, but its taking such a long time and there seems to be only one point of contact who deals with the first stage of recognising my UK qualification in the Paris office. You mentioned that there were some papers and a contact who spoke English that you dealt with -could you by any chance remember who you dealt with and where I could find a copy of the papers? I already have the CSP document – ‘Working in France’ and information from the World confederation website, but a simplified version of the procedure and contacts would be greatly appreciated.

    All the very best for your continued work in the Alps.

    Kind Regards,
    Jacqui

  4. andrea on 12 Sep 2009 at 10:57 pm #

    Dear Andrea,

    I don’t know if there is any official need to speak French to work in France. However, apart from the initial Authorisation de Exercise, obtained from Paris, thereafter, all the contacts for paperwork is done in French, so I think questions might be asked as to how will you work. Working with purely English clients is ok in winter, but will not pay all the charges for the year I think, so some work with French may be necessary.

    Hi Gail, was it a requirement of registration in france that you spoke french already?

  5. Sara on 30 Sep 2009 at 6:00 pm #

    Dear Sara, thanks for your comment, the current organisations to report illegal physios working in France is either the Ordre de Masseurs et Kinésithérapeuts or the Minister de Sante, stating the Department (eg haute savoie) which you are interested in.

    Thanks for your information about working legally as a masseur in France. I am currently aware of a few therapist who are working somewhat illegally in France. For the sake of the therapists like yourself, who do take the time and effort to register and get the correct insurance, I would like to report these therapists to the correct authorities for further investigation. Would you be able to give me some contcat details for the people I would need to speak to please?
    I have had some bad experiences in the past with these therapists and would like very much to stop it happening to somebody else in the future.

    Kind Regards

    Sara

  6. kate on 16 Oct 2009 at 10:20 am #

    Dear Kate,

    Some info for working in Morzine this winter, unfortunately, the system here is such that it is not possible to come to work seasonally. You have to be registered as I have explained earlier. Imagin if someone wanted to do physio in Britain, the organisations they would have to contact. The massage in France is under the same constraints as the physios historically where the only ones allowed to massage. In short if physios do massage in the ski resorts in France, even via British companies as employees, they are still breaking the law and could be deported!

    Hi Gail,

    I’m really interested in working out in Morzine winter 2010-2011, and would be grateful for any information you could give me on clinics I could work in and how to start the french registration process.

    I adore Morzine, and to be able to work as a physiotherapist out there is my idea of heaven!

    Thanking you in anticipation.

    Kate

  7. alfonsogu on 16 Dec 2009 at 6:53 am #

    Hi Gail,

    I´m a Spanish who live in Morzine.
    I require physiotherapy in Mozine because i have a injury in my foot.
    I tried to contact in your phone but is out of service.

    Can you send me a emai, please.

    Thanks

  8. Gail on 18 Dec 2009 at 7:54 am #

    Dear Alfonso,
    Hope you are taking all my advice, hope to see you next on the pistes.

  9. Gail on 18 Dec 2009 at 7:55 am #

    Dear Kate,
    Look on my page for the reply I had forgotten how to reply directly. Gail

  10. Gail on 18 Dec 2009 at 7:55 am #

    Dear Sara,

    Look on my main page, for a reply, I forgot how to reply directly. thnks Gail

  11. Sophie Brewster on 20 Jul 2010 at 5:47 am #

    Finally a bit of info I can use. Planning to start practising this winter in the 3 valleys. Was considering setting up a small Uk based company with just me practising to start with.
    I have ITEC qualifications which is internationally recognised. It’s in Sports and remedial masage as well as Holistic sweedish massage. I’m keen to work along side local GP’s Physio in the area.
    I would like to get myself registered towork and practise correctly. Sounds like it takes time and money so want to start now!! Is it less expensive
    and complicated for a simple Sports and massage therapist?
    Thank you for all your fasinating comments so good to get some guidance at last!! Do you have to apply face to face or can it be done on line? Do you have an physio contacts in 3 valleys? Any help on getting this sone correctly would be awesome.
    Kind regards
    Sophie

  12. katie clough on 22 Jul 2010 at 10:39 am #

    Sophie

    Im actually planning on moving out to france this year to La Tania in the 3 valleys. The main physio company out there are Ski Physio you will find them on line but they employ people as massage therapists themselves. They have been inundated with applications this year. I applied myself but did not get the job so i’m going to work for another chalet/hotel company out there and do some physio for myself self employed. We could help each other out.

  13. Gail on 15 Sep 2010 at 12:05 pm #

    Dear Sophie,

    Remember, in France you will be working illegally if you call yourself a masseur(eus), massage is only legally practiced by physios in France, the beuticians get round this by calling it “body modelling”, there is also an organisation to join to do this, but I don’t know the title, maybe check eny esthetician sites.

  14. Gail on 15 Sep 2010 at 12:06 pm #

    Dear Kate,

    Remember, in France you will be working illegally if you call yourself a masseur(eus), massage is only legally practiced by physios in France, the beuticians get round this by calling it “body modelling”, there is also an organisation to join to do this, but I don’t know the title, maybe check eny esthetician sites.

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  16. Beth on 29 Sep 2010 at 2:58 am #

    Hi Gail,
    I have recently moved to Aix Les Bains. Do you know any english speaking physios in this area? Particularly if UK or australian trained? I have started treatment with a local kinae but my french is not that good, and I’m not sure if its that or just how kinae’s work here but its very different to treatment I had in the UK. Any advice would be most welcome.
    many thanks
    Beth

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  19. Gail on 14 Oct 2010 at 2:15 am #

    Dear Beth,

    Its true the way they work here is quite different from us, I have learned to adapt and do my thing as before, however, I do not force my techniques down the throats of the physios here, its an evolution thing. I find the younger qualified physiot (sorry not ageist), just an observation that the newer qualified are more open to my style of work and are slowly getting newer techniques.

    I don’t know any english speaking physios in your area, i found speaking to the clients inproved my french, speak as much as poss and let the clients educate you in the correct tenses, I let them know its ok to correct me. The kids are great, they teach you alot. Otherwise do a conversational french course, I know Annecy runs courses from one month to years, perhaps in Aix les Bains too. Hope that helps.

    A final work on the taxes/charges, try to keep 47% of your income to cover that, its crazy I know, but you will see the charges are a nightmare, which is why I get on my high horse about people working illegaly.

  20. Kathleen on 18 Oct 2010 at 2:57 pm #

    Hi Gail,
    I am so happy I have found your blog. I am currently putting together my application in order to register in France as a physio (don’t worry not in your neck of the woods so no direct competition!) and worried about the cost of the legal translation required.

    Anyway, I was wondering if you could set me straight on the small matter of translation requirements. So far I have mainly only checked the French translators but the cheapest quote I have had is over €1000 euros! And that is a quote for the ‘dossier’ before I have put in any CPD evidence for the last year…

    I suppose I am wondering if you or anyone else has found a way of doing it more cheaply or if perhaps I am seeking services above the level I require.

    Any thoughts? I would be super grateful for your thoughts on this as am feeling a bit lost about the whole thing.

    Cheers

  21. Gail on 18 Oct 2010 at 4:10 pm #

    Dear Kathleen,

    Glad to be of assistance with the blog. I am not sure which part of your dossier they are wanting to charge so much. I don’t think I got my whole book from uni translated, I think they stipulated the hours we had spend on each subject and what subjects etc, the rest was the letters and if you like certificates, perhaps they have changed though what they are asking. I contacted a guy on the internet in Edinburgh, who translated all and mailed me with it. I then sent all to Paris. I don’t remember it being very expensive, maybe under £200 and that was 5 year ago. So if you are still in Britain, get it done there and perhaps you can scan all to get done on the internet.

    After you should get your Authorisation d’Exercise, it took abour 3 months for mine to come, then once you have decided which department to work in, you should find out where their centre of Administration is, then contact the ADELI and department sociale. There, again you pass a day with your dossier, passport photos, birth certificate, all basically, they stamp and you sign lots, if you have all, they give you your ADELI no. which is your authorisation to work within that department only. After that you will need to get your insurance Professionale to cover you and a judiciale insurance, to cover the clients. After that, the Carpimko, for your retirement (obligatory unfortunately), will contact you to pay lots for that and URSAFF, the government tax organisation will find you first to start paying the charges/taxes. Sounds horrible at first, but basically count 47% of your income to be paid in charges, the rest is yours!

    Hope that doesn’t put you off, but the working system is quite different in France for physios, on one hand we are virtually all liberale, (private), but on the other hand we are not alowed to charge what we want! Welcome to la France!

  22. Sophie on 21 Oct 2010 at 11:32 am #

    Dear Gail and Kate,
    Thanks for the feedback. I called the French embassy in London direct the other week to try and make sure I was working within the law. Apparently I don’t needs a permit or to register to practises in France. Great I thought sounds good so I made them double check with their manager and again it was confirmed.
    As I will be mostly treating Brits abroad I will probably not using the French term for massage. I am always very clear with my clients that I can NOT diagnosis and they should always see a doctor or physio re serious conditions. I would refer to myself as a therapist, if pushed I would say I was more of a sports therapist.

    Seems like a mine field of word usage!
    But as I check with embassy I can’t see what more I can do, I’m train with an international recognised qualification to practice and that all I want to do!
    I would always aim to work fairly with all other professionals and I will introduce myself to skiphysio and any other therapist such as u Kate.
    Perhaps I should check my thesaurus for alternative words to use other than massage. Or perhaps I will just get written confirmation from the French Embassey! Any ideas? Either way I wish you all a fab happy successful season of bumper snow and pleased clients!
    Many thanks
    Sophie

  23. Gail on 21 Oct 2010 at 2:35 pm #

    Dear Sophie,

    I am not sure the regulations for others, I do think you should contact the ministere de sante, its them who deal with all the therapists in France, they should be able to confirm if you have the necessary qualifications for working in france as a tharapist, doing what I suppose is body modeling, which is what the beauty therapist do, if its indeed sports massage, I am afraid it is still only registered physios here who can do it, you need the insurance to cover the patients here, the CSP insurance does not cover physios not living here permanently, I don’t know if your organisation has another insurance. That aside, I don’t think you would be legal to work and not ppay taxes here, it is not a commerce, which is run in britain when its a therapy, please check in france and let me know what you find out.

  24. Sophie on 21 Oct 2010 at 6:06 pm #

    Okay will try again with French regulations.
    I’m ITEC qualified level 4 Sports, the whole reason for doing ITEC was because it is internationally recognised. I double checked with them too. Embassey also confirmed that as I was working for a British reg company and paying taxes that way I would be taxed in France too.

    Thanks for the suggestions Gail

  25. Sophie on 21 Oct 2010 at 6:07 pm #

    Sorry would not be taxed in France

  26. Sophie on 21 Oct 2010 at 6:34 pm #

    Oh sorry I am not a beauty therapist at all. I already have a degree but wanted a trade to travel with thus the re training. A full and seperate Anatomy and Physiology paper was also part of my training. Its required for advance work in things like botox it’s not the basic beauty level but more of an add on required for massage spefic work.

    Actually there were a few physio’s on my massage course as the practical massage training it’s not always included in some degrees these days which seems bizarre. One of the physio guys described it as was like an add on, obviously he didn’ t do the A&P.

    Not sure about the insurance ITEC do recommend an international coverage policy though. Are the Ministry de Sante localised in French regions? Think 3 valleys would be Ancey. Never heard of remodelling as a phrase the Pamper off Piste beautician based business in the Valley does massage for sure!

    Will keep checking and let you know what I find I certainly not the only one in this inbetweeners situation I’m sure!
    Cheers S

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  29. Gail on 25 Oct 2010 at 8:19 am #

    Dear Sophie,

    Its good you are trying to do all to checks. I know pamper off pieste advertise their masseurs as fully qualified in in France, however, that is not correct, they are normally therapists registered in britain and paying tax through a british company. Fiirstly, its not the same tax system for health professionals as commercial enterprises, so thats not legal and secondly, any insurances are therefore, invalid. I remember a reflexologist working in this area was told by her insurance all was ok to practice massage and the accountant also said not problems, howeven they were not qualified to know that the massage was only legal when done by a physio registered here, so she was paying a huge insurance for no cover, in fact, as it was not legal.

    I think the whole problem is that even massage can be detrimental to people if not done correctly and the physios here guarde the therapeutic massage through being a protected title. The other part is that, what happens if people do massage incorrectly and hurt someone, who does the cllient come back too? If the therapists are not working leagally, i.e. not registered within the French health system, how can the client sue someone, I think, in the case of companies like pamper off piste, they would be sued and they would turn around and say the they thought the therapist was fully insured, which they are, but not recognised in France.

    I know we are more open to different types of therapists and massages in Britain and I agree a relaxing massage is not the same clientelle as I have for sports massages, however, in France, any therapist, sports, beauty, any soin(treatment) therapist must be registered within the French organisation to be working legally, even reflexologists etc. I guess its to protect the clients and have some sort of uniformity in the regulations for the soin. I think its only a matter of time before someone is hurt and sues. I have had experience picking up clients after therapists have treated tourists here for injuries, which have turned out to be actually fractured! I know the physio system in Britain well and its rare we see people within hours of an injury, where a Dr hasn’t seen them also, it can be difficult to pick up hairline fractures and other major injuries early, only experience in the field helps there, which I am glad to have accumulated over the past 5 years, one springs to mind is a cracked greater tubercle of the biceps, can’t tell you how many people arrive and say, “no its not fractured but…”, experience can differenciate from a soft tissue trauma.

    Anyway I am rambling, good luck anyway and take care with the authorities here.

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  33. vinoth on 03 Nov 2010 at 7:14 am #

    Hi gail
    i am vinoth.i am an indian physio with 3 years of experience.i can speak french little bit but dnt to read and write fluently.i would like to work in france as a physio.so can u guide me wat are the requirements I need to work there

  34. Gail on 03 Nov 2010 at 10:37 am #

    Dear Vinoth,

    I am not sure what your degree/diploma consists of in India, but the first step is to contact the Ministre de Santé in Paris, they will give you a list of paperwork you need to get for them to check out your qualifications, its a pain to get all and some you need to get translated into French. Once you have sent all to them, its usually under 6months, if all is ok, before you get your Authorisation de Exercise, that is what you need to look for work in any part of France. Once you decide where you would like to work, you have then to take all your papers again to the local centre of Administration for that Departement, then lots more forms and finally you get a stamp with your number to work in that Department, (you can do that in one day if you have all though).

    Hope that helps, if you are thinking of working within the Cabinets or Hospitals in France, you will need a good level of French, I picked up loads working on the job, it depends how much you want it I guess. Working with tourists, you can speak english, but that won’t pay a salary for the year.

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  36. vinoth on 08 Nov 2010 at 1:49 am #

    thanks.thank u very much for ur reply

  37. vinoth on 08 Nov 2010 at 6:01 am #

    Dear gail
    i have a doubt.to work in france whether we need to register the physiotherapy competency examination(pce) which is required in canada.

  38. vinoth on 08 Nov 2010 at 7:27 am #

    Dear gail
    should i have to write any exam to work in france?

  39. Gail on 09 Nov 2010 at 3:45 pm #

    Dear vinoth,

    Sorry, I don’t know if you will need to do a written exam to work in france, I didn’t need to do a written or verbal.

  40. vinoth on 15 Nov 2010 at 7:43 am #

    hi pink,
    can u tell me how to register with a french doctor.

  41. Gail on 15 Nov 2010 at 11:28 am #

    You can register with a doctor by going into the cabinet you want here. However, if you are here for just a short time, you can simply just pay for treatment and claim it from your insurance later. If you are intending to stay in france permanently, you will have to register for a carte vitale when you declare for taxes here and you will have to get a mutual insurance, when you have both all fees or most, paid will be reimbursed, but not before.

    A word for the british/europeans, your E111 will not cover everyday medicine in france, that is only for accidents/hospital urgencies, therefore, you will still have to pay, pisters/helicopters, ambulances, xrays, medicines, room and food in the hospital etc. People often think this card even covers physio! but its to be sure if you were in a car crash etc, the country wouldn’t have to pay for your care, the bill is sent to the NHS in britain, but all the extras are not covered i.e. get a holiday insurance when coming here its not expensive, compaired to x rays!

    Gail

  42. Lapin on 23 Nov 2010 at 10:11 am #

    Hi Sophie and Gail,

    Wow all this makes for great reading!

    But I am still confused.

    So if I advertise to UK only clients and pay UK taxes (I am registered in the UK and you can pay UK taxes if you live in Britain for a minimum of three months each year) I can work in France? Is that correct? Why do they make it so ambiguous? I have been told the old law resectioning massage to Physios has been dropped and that is why beauty therapists can now offer massage, but what about internationally trained therapists like us?

    I have spoken to my insurance company and I am completely covered for the whole season…and they said working in France isn’t a problem…should they know information like this though?

    Gail – please can you explain to me how Pamper off Piste and Massage-Me can operate as a franchise in France, publicly advertising and not incurring the penalties for operating outside French law?

    I have asked French friends to help me with the documents on http://www.ffmbe.fr and even they are confused!

    So ultimately I am very confused still!

    If either of you, or anyone else, can shed any light on this subject….its very much welcome!

    Many thanks!!!