A narrower sick-pay limit takes effect for some long-term conditions
From 15 October, daily benefits for non-exempt long-term conditions are generally capped at one year instead of three, with important protections and exclusions.
A new French rule taking effect on 15 October cuts the exceptional maximum period for daily sickness benefits from three years to one year for certain long-term conditions. It applies to so-called non-exempt affections de longue durée, or ALD, which can require more than six months of leave or continuous care but are not covered at 100% by health insurance.
The change does not apply to every person with a long-term illness. Patients with an exempt ALD, generally a serious and costly condition recognised for full statutory coverage of related care, retain a maximum of three years of daily benefits. The reform therefore turns on the administrative classification of the condition, not simply on how long someone feels unable to work.
Transition rules protect some existing leave
For newly prescribed leave from 15 October, the one-year maximum applies immediately. It also applies to ongoing leave that reaches six months after that date. People who were already off work for more than six months on 15 October remain under the previous rule and can continue to qualify for up to three years.
To open a new one-year benefit period for the same illness, the employee must have returned to work for at least a year. Service-Public says the measure covers the general and agricultural schemes, notarial employees and clerks, with a second decree extending parallel provisions to independent workers and several public or special categories.
Health-insurance limits are not the whole employment picture
The two decrees change social-security compensation, not every employment protection or salary-maintenance arrangement. The French Hospital Federation notes that statutory public-sector mechanisms can continue to bind employers even where the health-insurance reimbursement rule changes. Collective agreements and employer coverage may also affect an individual's income.
Because the distinction is technical, a headline saying France has cut all long-term sick leave to one year would be wrong. Non-exempt ALD care remains reimbursed at ordinary rates, while exempt ALD care and its longer benefit window remain separate. A treating doctor or the medical service of the insurance fund can confirm which category applies.
The immediate task for affected workers is to verify classification and transition status rather than infer it from a diagnosis alone. The decree is now in force, but a personal entitlement depends on the start date, duration of current leave, insurance scheme and any additional workplace arrangements. Official guidance should control over general examples.
Sources & context
Reporting and reference material used for this article. Context sources do not independently confirm every news claim.
- Service-Public ↗Primary government guidance, 24 September: scope, effective date, transitions, exclusions and schemes covered.
- Code du travail numérique ↗Primary government employment guidance, accessed 15 October: one-year rule, return-to-work condition and exempt-ALD treatment.
- Mon Parcours Handicap ↗Primary government context, updated for 15 October: distinction between exempt and non-exempt ALD and ordinary reimbursement rates.
- Fédération Hospitalière de France ↗Professional context, updated 22 September: application to public-sector staff and distinction from statutory salary-maintenance rights.
Written for WHIF from the linked material. This article does not claim on-the-ground reporting. Our editorial standards.