France to reduce long-term sick leave indemnity duration

New French decrees are set to reduce the maximum duration of daily indemnity payments for certain long-term illnesses (ALD). Effective October 15, 2026, the maximum period for non-exempt ALD cases will decrease from three years to one year.

The application of this rule depends on the timing of the medical leave rather than the severity of the condition. For leave prescribed after October 15, the one-year limit applies immediately. For leave already in progress, a transitional regime exists: those with six months or more of incapacity at the transition date remain under the old three-year rule, while those with less than six months will transition to the new one-year limit once the six-month threshold is reached.

Long-term illnesses that qualify for 100% care coverage (exempting ALD) will maintain the original three-year indemnity period.