France to Cap Sick Leave Duration Starting September 2026

France will limit initial sick leave to 31 days and extensions to 62 days starting September 1, 2026, according to a decree published June 13 in the Journal officiel. The measure, established under the 2026 Social Security financing law, applies to prescriptions from doctors, midwives, and dental surgeons, unless a patient’s health status warrants an exception.

How will the new sick leave limits work?

The decree sets a ceiling of 31 days for a first prescription and 62 days for any subsequent extension. These limits apply to various health professionals authorized to prescribe leave, including surgeons-dentists and midwives.

The final law differs from the government’s original proposal. The executive branch initially sought to set limits via decree at 15 days for city doctors and 30 days for hospital settings, but deputies voted to standardize the limit at one month and codify it into law.

Did You Know? Deputies rejected the government’s plan to leave sick leave limits to executive decree, voting instead to write a mandatory one-month limit directly into the law.

Why is the government limiting sick leave?

Rising absenteeism in the private sector since the Covid crisis is a primary driver for the change. A study by the mutuelle Malakoff Humanis found a significant increase in absences, particularly among executives, often linked to mental health issues.

This trend has increased the cost of daily allowances paid by Social Security. Minister of Labor and Solidarity Jean-Pierre Farandou stated in April that these costs reach 18 billion euros and increase by 1 billion euros annually.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the shift toward legislative rather than executive control over these limits suggests a high-stakes tension between immediate fiscal needs and the long-term management of workforce mental health.

What changes are coming for workplace accidents?

A separate decree published June 13 introduces a maximum duration for daily allowances related to professional illnesses or workplace accidents. Starting in 2027, these payments will be capped at four years.

France: Government wants to review rules on sick leave in the civil service

Previously, no maximum duration existed for sick leave, though indicative recommendations were used for certain pathologies. Insured individuals remain subject to a separate ceiling of 360 days of daily allowances over a three-year period.

What may happen next?

Health professionals may need to adjust how they manage long-term patient cases to fit the new 31 and 62-day windows. Because exceptions exist for specific health statuses, there could be a rise in detailed medical justifications to exceed these caps.

The financial impact on the Social Security budget may be monitored to see if the 1 billion euro annual increase cited by Jean-Pierre Farandou slows down after 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the new sick leave limits take effect?
The limits of 31 days for first prescriptions and 62 days for extensions enter into force on September 1, 2026.

Which health professionals must follow these ceilings?
The rules apply to doctors, midwives, and dental surgeons.

Is there a limit on payments for professional illnesses?
Starting in 2027, the maximum duration for daily allowances for workplace accidents or professional illnesses will be four years.

Do you believe standardized sick leave limits will effectively reduce corporate absenteeism?