French MPs Approve Limits on Sick Leave Duration in 2026 Social Security Budget Reform

The French National Assembly's social affairs committee has approved a reform to limit prescribed sick leave durations as part of the 2026 Social Security budget. Under the new proposal, the maximum duration for a sick leave prescribed by city doctors will be set at 15 days, and 30 days for hospital stays, with possible extensions capped at two months subject to medical justification. Currently, no maximum duration exists, though some recommendations are in place for particular conditions.

The reform aims to curb the rising costs of daily sickness indemnities, which are already limited to 360 days over three years, and to encourage more regular patient monitoring, according to Thibault Bazin, the report’s author and general rapporteur. However, some deputies, including Ségolène Amiot (LFI), have voiced concerns about potential disruptions to the patient-doctor relationship and the implications for employers needing to plan workforce replacements. Additionally, an amendment was adopted to ban renewing sick leave via telemedicine except when justified.

The government also seeks to make the medical evaluation before returning to work after maternity leave optional, a move that has drawn criticism for potential legal issues and the challenge posed by a shortage of occupational doctors. The committee's decision, pending confirmation in the full Assembly next week, reflects ongoing debates balancing social protection and cost control within France's healthcare system.