#2026-498France caps sick leave prescriptions eligible for daily benefits
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This decree limits how long a doctor, dentist, or midwife can initially prescribe sick leave that qualifies for daily social security benefits. From 1 September 2026, a first sick leave prescription can cover up to 31 days, and an extension can cover up to 62 days. The change affects patients, healthcare professionals, employers, and payroll or HR teams handling sickness absence. Longer absences will need to be managed through renewed extensions rather than a single open-ended prescription. The caps will not apply in Mayotte.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Sets a 31-day cap for an initial sick leave prescription eligible for daily benefits
- Sets a 62-day cap for extensions of sick leave eligible for daily benefits
- Applies to prescriptions and extensions issued from 1 September 2026, except in Mayotte
Obligations
What this law requires
For sick leave prescriptions established from 1 September 2026, doctors, dental surgeons, and midwives must not issue an initial work-stoppage prescription exceeding 31 days when the leave is intended to give rise to daily social security benefits.
For sick leave extensions established from 1 September 2026, doctors, dental surgeons, and midwives must not issue an extension exceeding 62 days when the leave is intended to give rise to daily social security benefits.
Healthcare and benefits administration processes must apply the 31-day cap for first sick leave prescriptions and the 62-day cap for extensions only to prescriptions and extensions established on or after 1 September 2026, and must not apply these caps in Mayotte.