Dental treatment in Spain for French patients: what you need to know

More and more French patients cross the border for their dental treatment, particularly for implants and prostheses. The decision raises fair questions: how follow-up works, who makes the diagnosis, and what happens if a problem appears once you are back home.

Here is what is worth knowing before you decide, explained from a practice in La Jonquera, just across the border.

Why French patients seek treatment in Spain

The first reason is geography. From Le Perthus, Perpignan or the wider Pyrénées-Orientales, La Jonquera is closer than many French practices. For treatment requiring several appointments, that distance matters more than it would for a single consultation.

The second is the cost of treatments not fully covered in France, such as implants. The third, often overlooked, is waiting times: getting an appointment quickly to start lengthy treatment makes a real difference once a tooth has already been lost.

Language and follow-up: the two real questions

These are the concerns that come up most, and rightly so. Dental treatment requires understanding exactly what is being proposed, what you are signing and what you will need to do afterwards.

In our case the team is French-speaking and the practice has treated French patients since 1999. Prostheses are made in French laboratories, and diagnosis relies on 3D imaging with computer-assisted planning, which lets us show you concretely the state of your mouth and what is planned.

We do not provide orthodontics: our work is implants, prostheses and rehabilitation.

What to check before choosing a practice, here or anywhere

Some questions are worth asking, whatever the country:

• Who carries out the diagnosis, and based on which examination.
• Where the prostheses are made.
• Exactly what the estimate covers, and what it leaves out.
• How many appointments the treatment requires, and over what period.

A serious practice answers these questions plainly and gives you a written, itemised estimate.

Reimbursement by the French social security system

Treatment received in another European Union country may be submitted for reimbursement to your health insurance fund. The process uses form S3125C, which we provide with an itemised list of the procedures carried out.

The amount reimbursed depends on your circumstances and on the reference rates applied by your fund, not on what you paid here. Check with your CPAM and your top-up insurer before starting.

We set out the whole process, how treatment unfolds and our rates on our rates and reimbursements page.

See our rates and how treatment works

Once treatment is in place

An implant needs simple but consistent daily care. We explain this in detail in our article on looking after dental implants.

Visiting us in La Jonquera

The practice is at Carrer Major 132, 17700 La Jonquera, a few minutes from the border.

We see patients by appointment only. You can book by phone on +34 660 903 355, via WhatsApp or by email at dental.lajonquera@gmail.com. We confirm the day and time. You can also use our contact page.

Opening hours: Tuesday 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, Wednesday to Friday 9:30 am to 7:00 pm. Closed Saturday to Monday.

Frequently asked questions

Is dental treatment carried out in Spain reimbursed in France?

It may be submitted for reimbursement to your health insurance fund, using form S3125C which we provide. The amount depends on your fund’s reference rates and your circumstances, not on what you paid here. Check with your CPAM before starting.

Do you need to speak Spanish to be treated in La Jonquera?

No. Our team is French-speaking and has treated French patients since 1999.

How many appointments does a dental implant require?

Several: an initial examination with 3D imaging, placing the implant, a healing period, then fitting the prosthesis. The details are on our rates and treatment page.

Can you come without an appointment?

No. We see patients by appointment only, so we can give each person the time they need.

Where are the prostheses made?

In French laboratories the practice works with.