The government is taking another step in its health insurance reform. From September 1, 2026, the duration of sick leave will be limited to one month for an initial prescription and two months for each extension, according to a decree published in the Official Journal. This measure, included in the 2026 Social Security financing law, applies to all professionals authorized to prescribe sick leave, including doctors, midwives, and dentists.
Until now, there was no legal limit on the duration of sick leave. The government initially wanted to set stricter limits, with fifteen days for sick leave prescribed by a general practitioner and thirty days following hospitalization. Parliamentarians ultimately reached a compromise by enshrining directly in law a single one-month limit for all first-time prescriptions. Exceptions will still be possible, however, when the patient's health condition medically warrants it.
A response to soaring social security spending
The government justifies this measure by citing the continued increase in the cost of sick leave for the social security system. Daily allowances now represent nearly €18 billion in annual expenses, an amount that has increased by approximately €1 billion each year since the health crisis, according to the Ministry of Labor and Solidarity. However, those insured remain subject to the current cap of 360 days of compensation over a three-year period.
Authorities are particularly concerned about the increasing average duration of sick leave observed over the past several years. A recent study by Malakoff Humanis shows that absenteeism rates in the private sector remain high and that long-term absences are increasing more significantly among managers. Psychological distress, burnout, and mental health issues are now among the main causes of these prolonged absences, a phenomenon that is permanently altering the balance of the labor market.
A second decree, published simultaneously, also establishes a framework for sick leave related to workplace accidents and occupational illnesses. From 2027, daily allowances paid under these provisions will be capped at four years. Through these various measures, the government aims to contain the growth of social spending while maintaining a compensation system for employees facing long-term health problems.
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