France introduces paid birth leave extension to boost demographics

A new "birth leave" will take effect in France on 1 July 2026, adding up to two extra paid months after maternity or paternity leave. Established by the 2025 financing law published on 31 December 2025, the measure targets France’s demographic downturn – the first year since 1945 in which deaths outnumber births. Eligible parents must have at least six months of social‑security affiliation before the leave starts.

The leave is paid by the health‑insurance system, but the daily indemnity is capped at the social‑security ceiling (4 005 € monthly in 2026) and reduced to 70 % of the maximum rate (≈ 72.87 €/day) for the first month and 60 % (≈ 62.41 €/day) for the second. This translates to roughly 2 200 € net in the first month and 1 900 € net in the second, provided the parent earned the ceiling amount in the three months prior. Employers are not required to supplement these benefits.