Aid reductionAdoptedSocial security and healthcareNational
Maximum benefit period for long-term sick leave cut from 3 years to 1 year
The extended period during which long-term sick leave can be compensated falls from 3 years to 1 year, except for exempting long-term conditions, for sick leave prescribed from 15 October 2026.
Measure originators
InitiatorEPR
Stéphanie Rist
Ensemble pour la République
Impact on public finances
Brings in 600 m €/yr2028 estimate · Social security
A positive amount is revenue or savings for public finances; a negative amount is a cost or lost revenue.
Effective date
15 October 2026
Measure impact
Only exempting long-term conditions (ALD) (Article L.160-14, 3° and 4°, of the Social Security Code) keep the 3-year period; non-exempting ALDs move to 1 year. The rule also applies to ongoing sick leave that reaches 6 months. The decree also strengthens penalties for prescription abuse.
Official references
Law number: Décret n° 2026-866 du 16 septembre 2026
Official Journal: JORF n° 218 du 18 septembre 2026
Sources
18 September 2026
Procedure timeline
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