The essentials
France codifies one-month sick leave limit and four-year accident benefit cap into law, effective September 2026.
France has moved to establish sick leave restrictions through legislative action rather than executive decree. Parliament voted to set a one-month limit on initial sick leave prescriptions, with a four-year cap on work accident benefit payments. These measures take effect September 1, 2026.
The French government cited rising Social Security costs as justification for the reform. The country has experienced elevated absenteeism levels persisting since the COVID-19 pandemic, which officials point to as context for the policy shift.
By codifying limits in law, the reforms gain greater permanence than a decree would provide, reflecting a shift toward legislative entrenchment of benefit restrictions.
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Legislative reform moves sick leave rules from decree to statute
France transitioned sick leave policy from executive decree to parliamentary legislation. Parliament voted to establish one-month initial limits and four-year accident benefit caps, taking effect September 1, 2026. This legislative pathway provides greater permanence and democratic grounding than decree-based regulation, representing a formal codification of benefit restrictions.
Fiscal pressures drive France's sick leave policy overhaul
Rising Social Security costs prompted the French government to pursue sick leave reform alongside observed elevated absenteeism persisting since the COVID-19 pandemic. The new framework—one-month initial prescription limits and four-year work accident caps—targets fiscal sustainability through quantified restrictions on benefit duration and scope.