🇵🇫 French Polynesia Healthcare Guide
Centre Hospitalier de la Polynesie Francaise in Papeete on Tahiti is the territory's main facility and provides a standard of care consistent with France. The outer islands — Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, the Tuamotus — have small infirmaries that handle minor issues, but anything serious requires an air transfer to Tahiti. The healthcare system operates in French, so having your medical history and medication list in French before you arrive covers both the clinical encounter and any pharmacy interaction on outer islands where English is less common.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 112
- Healthcare system: mixed
- Average GP visit: $60 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: medium
Healthcare overview
Centre Hospitalier de la Polynésie française (CHPF) in Papeete, Tahiti is the territory’s main hospital and the only facility with specialist departments. As a French overseas collectivity, French healthcare standards apply, though EHIC is not accepted here. Bora Bora, Moorea, and Rangiroa have small clinics. The remote Tuamotu and Marquesas atolls are among the most medically isolated places on Earth, with clinics staffed by nurses and visiting doctors.
Extreme atoll remoteness
Tuamotu and Marquesas atolls have nurse-staffed clinics only. Medical evacuation to Papeete can take hours by air, weather permitting.
French standards, no EHIC
French Polynesia follows French medical protocols but is not part of the EU. EHIC is not accepted; visitors pay out of pocket.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Papeete’s pharmacies follow French pharmaceutical standards and carry most standard medications. Outer island pharmacies are very limited or nonexistent. Carry your full medication supply for any travel beyond Tahiti, and include a buffer for weather delays that can strand visitors on remote atolls for days.
Weather delay buffer
Inter-island flights in French Polynesia are frequently delayed or cancelled. Carry extra medication to cover 3–5 days of unexpected delays.
Tips for travellers
CHPF in Papeete covers most specialist needs, but complex conditions are referred to hospitals in mainland France (Paris, Bordeaux) or occasionally Auckland. Having your treatment plan accessible in French helps Papeete’s specialists continue your care or prepare transfer documentation. For visitors on remote atolls, having records accessible offline covers the connectivity gap.
Mainland France referrals
For complex specialist care, French Polynesia refers to mainland French hospitals. The flight to Paris is 20+ hours, so complete documentation matters.