France to increase annual healthcare out-of-pocket caps in 2026

A new decree has established that starting October 1, 2026, the annual caps on medical franchises and flat-rate contributions in France will increase from €50 to €70.

These out-of-pocket costs include fixed amounts deducted from healthcare reimbursements, such as €1 for boxes of medication or paramedical acts, €4 for sanitary transport, and €2 for medical consultations, radiology exams, or biological analyses.

Exemptions from these charges apply to minors under 18, beneficiaries of the Complémentaire santé solidaire (C2S), beneficiaries of the Aide médicale de l’État (AME), pregnant women for maternity care, war invalids, and victims of terrorist acts. Notably, individuals with long-term illnesses (ALD) are not exempt and must pay these fees. The government had initially considered doubling the caps to €100 to address the Social Security deficit, but the increase was limited to €70 following opposition from various associations.