How to Apply for a Quebec Health Card (RAMQ)

Editorial review: August 2026. Rates, documents and procedures may change. Before leaving home or paying a fee, confirm the requirements with the responsible institution.

Who is eligible for RAMQ?

To be eligible for the Quebec health card, you must be authorized to remain in Canada, establish primary residence in the province and not be absent from Quebec for 183 days or more in the first 12 months of settling there.

To legally settle in Quebec, you must be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, have a work permit valid for more than six months, or participate in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program or the Temporary Foreign Worker program for residents of Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico or Salvador.

Students wishing to apply for health insurance coverage must receive a scholarship from the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur du Québec or come from one of the countries that have a social security agreement with Quebec, which are listed in the following topic.

Children of immigrants in Quebec have easier access to health insurance

On September 22, 2021, a law came into force that extends health coverage and social services to children traveling to countries with precarious (or temporary) immigration status. This group includes workers, students and visitors.

When does coverage start?

There is a waiting period of up to three months for health coverage in Quebec for newcomers to the province or anyone settling elsewhere in Canada.

This applies to you as well as your accompanying spouse and any dependents you have. The province suggests you obtain coverage from private health insurance to cover you and your family during the waiting period.

However, there is no wait time for anyone moving to Quebec from any of the following countries, as the province has a social security agreement with these countries:

• Belgium
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Greece
• Luxembourg
• Norway
• Portugal
• Romania
• Sweden

Unfortunately, Brazil is not part of this list. Therefore, unless you have dual citizenship linked to one of these countries, you will need to wait the three months.

In practice, what this means for Brazilians: take out private health insurance to cover the first three months and do this before boarding. It’s a cost that many people forget to include in their spreadsheet and that can turn into a debt of tens of thousands of dollars if something happens in between. A consultation at a private clinic in Montreal costs a few hundred dollars; a hospitalization, for much more.

A detail that helps: the grace period counts from your arrival, not from the date on which the card is ready. That’s why it’s worth signing up to RAMQ in the first 15 days, the sooner you get in line, the sooner the coverage starts to take effect.

Health coverage in Quebec

Quebec residents are eligible for health care under the RAMQ, which makes access to free coverage easier for residents who qualify. You will need to apply for a valid Health Insurance Card to receive health benefits. Quebec residents must also have prescription drug insurance coverage, which is available through the Public Plan of Prescription Drug Insurance of RAMQ or through private health insurance benefits.

Pay attention to this point, because it catches a lot of people by surprise: enrolling in RAMQ medication insurance is automatic if you don’t have private coverage through your employer. And it is not free, the premium is charged on your income tax return, calculated according to family income. By 2026, the maximum annual premium will reach approximately $740 CAD per adult. If your employer offers a drug plan, you are required to join it and are automatically excluded from the public plan.Read also: “Service tariffs and minimum wage in Quebec: Updates 2026”

Banner Site Link to TikTok Voce no Quebec Health System in Quebec

What is covered by RAMQ?

The public health plan in Quebec covers the full cost of the following medically necessary services in hospitals, medical clinics, pharmacies and CLSCs (centre local de services communautaires):

• Medical examinations and visits to a family doctor or general practitioner;
• Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures;
• Psychiatric care;
• Surgery and anesthetic;
• Vaccines under the Quebec Immunization Program; 
• Vasectomy;
• Certain radiology services that are provided by a physician;
• Opto Servicesmetrics for children aged 17 and under, or adults aged 65 and over;
• Reimbursement of up to $250 for glasses or contact lenses for children under 18;
• Annual and emergency dental exam, x-rays, fillings, tooth or root extractions and endodontics for children under 10;
• Certain oral surgeries performed in a hospital, except for tooth or root extractions, except for children under age 10 or individuals receiving financial assistance;

What is not covered by RAMQ?

The Quebec Health Insurance Plan does not cover medical services that are not related to the prevention and cure of illness or disease. Services that do not fall into this category must be paid for out of pocket, including:

• Cosmetic services;
• Medical examinations for employment or insurance purposes;
• Cost of a missed medical appointment;
• Ambulance transport;
• Complementary or alternative medical treatments, such as chiropractor, acupuncture, physiotherapy and occupational therapist;
• Audiologist;
• Psychologist;
• Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography;
• Ultrasound performed by any doctor other than a radiologist;
• Services from medical professionals who do not participate in the province’s public health plan;

Is a Quebec health card valid in Ontario or other provinces?

Having a valid Quebec health card does not mean you are automatically covered for health care in Ontario or other provinces in Canada. A doctor can accept a Quebec health card in Ontario as they will be reimbursed for their services under the RAMQ.

However, they may refuse to accept your card. In this situation, you would be required to pay the doctor or hospital fees and request a refund through RAMQ. Your RAMQ refund may take up to three months.

Can you have a health card in two provinces?

Health cards and publicly funded health cards are the responsibility of each province or territory within Canada. Therefore, you cannot have two health cards valid in two provinces simultaneously, as you can only be a resident of one province at a time.

What documents are needed to apply for RAMQ?

Once you move to Quebec, you can enroll in the Health Insurance Plan as long as you meet the necessary eligibility requirements. You will need two original or certified copies of identification to apply. Any documents not in English or French will need to be translated.

You will need the following documents to apply:* Original or certified copy of proof of Canadian citizenship (e.g. Canadian passport, certificate of Canadian citizenship or birth certificate) OR

• Original or certified copy of proof of legal right to be in Canada (e.g. Permanent Resident Card, Canada entry document issued by Canadian immigration authorities)
• Original or certified copy of the Quebec selection certificate, if applicable.
• An additional part of original identification, such as:
  • Quebec Health Insurance Card or health card from another province;
  • Quebec driver’s license or driver’s license from another province;
  • Birth certificate issued by Canada;
  • Passport;
  • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship;
  • Document issued by Canadian or Quebec immigration authorities;

One of the pieces of identification must have your photo on it.

Read also: “How to get your driver’s license in Quebec: Complete Guide”

How to apply for a Quebec health card

The province of Quebec suggests applying for the RAMQ within 15 days of entering the province to avoid delays. You will need to fill out an application form for the health insurance plan.

In-person appointments are no longer required to apply for a Quebec health card. Here’s how you can register for an appointment online depending on your situation:

• Newcomer to Quebec: Book an appointment online with an agent to call back at your convenience.
• Re-registration after an extended absence from Québec: Book an appointment online with an agent to call back at your convenience.
• Registration of a foreign student or intern: Complete the form required for your online situation.

Once your application has been processed, a letter will be sent to you indicating the date from which you are eligible to receive the Quebec Health Insurance Plan. Your card will be sent to you within 14 days of this date.

How long does it take to get a RAMQ card?

You will receive your card within 14 to 30 days of signing up.

If you have any questions about the Quebec Health Insurance Plan, you can find help at your nearest community agency or newcomer service. Alternatively, contact RAMQ at 418-646-4636, ​​514-864-3411 or at 1-800-561-9749.

Important tip! I imagine you are wondering why do this process over the phone, since as Brazilians, using the telephone to resolve bureaucratic issues linked to public services has not made much sense for some time in Brazil, especially in a first world country, but believe me when I say they use the telephone to resolve everything. So my advice is, if you are not ready or confident to communicate in French, ask someone for help, as services in English are more limited due to the limited number of bilingual employees in the Quebec government.

Well, that’s what I had to say today. I hope this information helped once again. Want more tips like these? Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates about life in Canada and your first steps as a newcomer.

See you in the next post! 😉