France to reform sick leave and long-term illness benefits

New regulations regarding sick leave in France are set to introduce significant changes to the duration of daily allowances for certain employees. Starting October 15, 2026, individuals on sick leave for long-term conditions (ALD) that do not qualify for 100% coverage by the Health Insurance (Assurance Maladie) will see their maximum compensation period reduced from three years to one year.

However, the reform maintains distinctions for specific cases. Employees with 'exonérantes' ALDs—those involving serious pathologies that grant 100% coverage for related care—will continue to receive benefits for up to three years.

The rules will apply to sick leave prescribed on or after October 15, 2026, and will also affect ongoing leaves that reach the six-month mark after that date. Conversely, employees who have already been on sick leave for more than six months by October 15, 2026, will remain under the previous system, allowing for up to three years of indemnification.

Additionally, for most standard sick leave prescriptions, the initial period is limited to 31 days to ensure recent clinical examinations justify the duration and to manage long-term absences through regular re-evaluations.