Compensation

Sick leave: reduction in the compensation period for certain long-term leave

Publié le 24 septembre 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

Two texts published in Official journal of the French Republic on 18 september 2026, the duration of compensation for certain employees on long-term work stoppage was amended. This maximum duration increases from 3 to 1 year as of October 15, 2026. Public Service inform you.

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The first decree lowers from 3 to 1 year the maximum derogating period for compensation for work stoppages for certain insured persons. This measure applies to employees witha long-term condition (ALD) which is not 100% covered by the health insurance (i.e. a non-exempt ALD).

The following are concerned: insured persons covered by the general scheme and the agricultural scheme, clerics and notary employees. A second decree extends the provisions to self-employed workers, public officials and magistrates, ministers of religion.

The reduction to 1 year applies to:

  • judgments prescribed from 15 October 2026;
  • to ongoing outages reaching 6 months after 15 October 2026.

In order to benefit from a new compensation period of 1 year for the same illness, the employee must have resumed his work for at least 1 year.

Insured persons who have already been out of work for more than 6 months as of October 15, 2026 remain subject to the old rule and may be compensated for up to 3 years.

The duration of payment of the daily allowances also remains fixed at a maximum of 3 years for insured persons with exempting ALD (condition eligible for 100% coverage by the Health Insurance).

FYI  

An exempt ALD covers a serious illness that has been developing for more than 6 months and requires expensive treatment. Care related to the disease is then covered at the maximum reimbursable. A non-exempt ALD concerns a condition that justifies a discontinuation of more than 6 months but without expensive treatment: care is reimbursed at the usual rates of the Health Insurance. Your doctor or the medical department of your health insurance fund can tell you which category you fall into.

Please note

The text also provides that obtaining a sick leave, not justified by the state of health, may give rise to a financial penalty. This is pronounced by the health insurance fund and is based on Article L. 114-17-1 of the Social Security Code on fraud control. This measure has come into force on 19 september 2026.

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