Health Insurance

Alan vs SideCare:
which health insurance referral to choose in 2026?

1 free month on one side, up to €400 on the other — but these two offers target completely different profiles. Here's the breakdown.

PH

By the Parrainage Hub team

Published 20 July 2026 — referral bonus experts since 2024

In summary:

Looking for a health insurance referral bonus in France? Two names consistently come up: Alan and SideCare. But comparing them directly would be misleading — these platforms don't serve the same market.

Alan is a digital health insurer built for freelancers and self-employed workers. SideCare (formerly Hoggo) is a group health insurance broker for company founders who have employees to cover. If you're a solo freelancer, that's Alan. If you run a team, that's SideCare — or both.

Note: both offers are available to French residents only. In this comparison, we break down each referral programme in detail — bonus amount, eligibility, sign-up process, and which profile each offer genuinely suits in 2026.

At a glance

Criteria Alan SideCare
Primary target Freelancers, self-employed, sole traders SME founders with employees
Referral bonus 1 free month €100 to €400 depending on headcount
Type of service Direct insurer Multi-insurer broker
Referral process Direct link, self-serve sign-up Email invitation via referrer
Day-to-day management Mobile app Web platform
Madelin tax deduction (FR) Yes (self-employed) N/A (group contract)

Alan: the benchmark for freelancers in France

The Alan referral is one of the simplest to activate in the French health insurance space. No code to enter, no manual form to fill in: click the referral link and complete your sign-up in 5 minutes. The free month is automatically deducted from your first payments.

What sets Alan apart from traditional French mutuelles is claims transparency. The app shows in real time what is covered, what isn't, and reimbursements often arrive the same day. For a freelancer who wants no accounting surprises, that matters. Plans are also eligible for France's Madelin scheme, meaning premiums are tax-deductible for self-employed workers (TNS status).

Strengths

  • 1 free month from day one via referral
  • 100% online, same-day reimbursements
  • Madelin-compatible for tax deduction (self-employed)
  • Alan handles switching from your previous insurer

Limitations

  • Bonus value in euros varies by plan (not a fixed amount)
  • Not designed for mandatory group coverage of employees

Who is it for? Freelancers, self-employed professionals, micro-entrepreneurs, single-member company founders (SASU, EURL) — any self-employed profile wanting a no-paperwork health insurance with an entry bonus.

SideCare: the broker for companies

The SideCare referral works differently: you need to contact a referrer, who then sends you an official invitation by email. It's not a self-serve code — it's a process initiated by the referrer. In exchange, the bonus is substantial: between €100 and €400 depending on the size of your team.

SideCare is not an insurer; it's a broker. Its value lies in comparing multiple insurance companies to find the best group health contract for your employees, while automating HR admin tasks (enrolment, opt-out certificates, attestations). For a company founder spending time on these processes, that's a real gain.

The referral bonus is paid once the contract is validated. With 5 employees, expect a bonus in the lower range; with 20 or more, you approach the €400 ceiling. Exact conditions depend on the current campaign — always verify before signing up.

Strengths

  • Bonus up to €400, among the highest in the French insurance market
  • Compares multiple insurers — not tied to a single carrier
  • Automated HR admin (enrolments, opt-outs)

Limitations

  • Not self-serve: requires a referrer to initiate the invitation
  • No benefit if you have no employees to cover
  • The €400 ceiling requires a meaningful headcount

Who is it for? SME founders, HR managers or office managers in France looking to set up or optimise mandatory group health coverage for employees, with a multi-insurer comparison included.

Can you use both Alan and SideCare at the same time?

Yes — and for a company founder, this is actually the optimal setup:

  • SideCare for the mandatory group health contract covering your employees (referral bonus €100–400)
  • Alan for your own personal coverage as a self-employed founder (1 free month via referral)

Note: the two offers are fully independent contracts. Using them simultaneously creates no conflict — you're signing up to two separate products for distinct needs.

Our verdict: match offer to profile

Despite this article's framing, Alan and SideCare aren't really competing. They solve different problems, with different referral mechanics.

If you're a freelancer or self-employed in France, go with the Alan referral: self-serve process, 1 free month, a well-designed app, fast reimbursements, and Madelin tax benefits. It's the most well-adapted digital health insurance for that profile in France.

If you run an SME with employees, the SideCare referral makes sense for its substantial bonus and multi-insurer comparison capability. The process is less autonomous, but the potential €400 gain justifies the extra step.

In both cases, read the official conditions before subscribing — amounts and terms can change. For a broader view of how referral bonuses work in France, see our guide to bank referral bonuses or our article on how to avoid referral scams.

Freelancers & Self-employed

Alan Referral

1 free month on your health insurance

See the offer

SME founders

SideCare Referral

Up to €400 depending on headcount

See the offer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Alan referral bonus in 2026?
The Alan referral bonus gives new subscribers 1 free month of health insurance when signing up via a referral link. The exact euro value depends on the plan chosen — higher-tier plans yield a more valuable free month.
What is the SideCare referral bonus in 2026?
SideCare offers a referral bonus ranging from €100 to €400 depending on the number of employees enrolled at sign-up. The bonus is paid once the contract is validated.
Alan or SideCare: which is better for a freelancer in France?
Alan is built for freelancers: fully online sign-up, 1 free month via referral, app-based management, and Madelin tax deductibility for self-employed workers. SideCare targets companies with employees and is not suitable for individual health coverage.
Alan or SideCare: which is better for an SME in France?
SideCare is better suited to SMEs as a broker that compares group health contracts and automates HR admin (enrolments, opt-outs). Alan is a strong option for very small teams or founder-operators wanting personal coverage.
How do I use the Alan referral?
Use the referral link directly — no code to enter manually. The 1 free month is automatically applied to your first payments after sign-up.
How does the SideCare referral work?
The SideCare referral works by invitation: contact a referrer, who sends you an official invitation by email. There is no public code to enter on the site.
Can I use both Alan and SideCare referrals at the same time?
Yes. Alan covers the founder's personal health insurance; SideCare covers the group plan for employees. They are independent contracts with no conflict between them.
Are there conditions to receive the Alan and SideCare referral bonuses?
Yes. For Alan, you must be a new customer signing up via a valid referral link (valid as of 20 July 2026 — check official conditions on alan.com). For SideCare, your company must be a new client and the bonus varies by headcount.

Information based on official sources. Verify conditions before subscribing.
Alan official referral conditions  ·  SideCare official referral conditions