No longer need a prescription, all these French people can consult physiotherapists without seeing a doctor first

As part of an experiment, direct access to physiotherapists is being expanded in part of France.

No need to go to the doctor! In France, several laws allow patients to see a physiotherapist without a prescription, subject to certain conditions. The most recent, a decree published in the Official Journal on June 6, 2025, established a 5-year experiment that expands direct access to certain physiotherapists in 20 departments.

The physiotherapists concerned are those who practice in a CPTS (territorial professional health community). This includes professionals who do not practice within a structure. Physiotherapists who practice in one of the departments concerned and who wish to participate in the experiment must declare their participation. The list of authorized physiotherapists will be published on the websites of the regional health agencies of the departments where they practice.

The number of sessions will be limited to 8 if the patient "has not had a prior medical diagnosis" according to the decree of June 27, 2024 specifying the conditions of the experiment. The patient will thus be referred to a doctor "whenever a diagnosis or medical opinion proves necessary." However, for patients who have already had a medical diagnosis, the number of sessions will not be limited. The session report must be sent to the patient and their attending physician as part of the shared medical file. If these conditions are met, the sessions will be covered by Health Insurance as is the case with a prescription, according to the National Order of Physiotherapists .

The 20 departments affected by the experiment are: Aude, Deux-Sèvres, Côtes d'Armor, Gers, Haute-Corse, Haut-Rhin, Isère, Loiret, Martinique, Mayotte, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Nord, Réunion, Rhône, Seine-Maritime, Tarn, Var, Vendée, Yonne and Yvelines.

This experiment should simplify the care pathway and save time for both patients and doctors. It will also allow for faster treatment, increasing the chances of recovery. For the leading physiotherapists' union, the FFMKR , "this is another step towards widespread direct access to physiotherapy."

Since a law published in May 2023, it has already been possible to visit a physiotherapist working in facilities such as hospitals and other healthcare establishments anywhere in France without a prescription. The number of sessions is also limited to eight without a medical diagnosis.