Sick leave is entering a new era, with reforms now rolling out across France, in every department. Following the cap on each prescription which took effect on 1 September 2026, two decrees aim to reduce the maximum compensation period for certain long-term illnesses (ALD) to one year, starting 1 October 2026. The government defends this crackdown as a tool to fight absenteeism: Sébastien Lecornu told Le Parisien on 29 August 2026 that there is “too much abuse” around sick leave.
The backdrop, to be frank, weighs heavily. Over the past decade, expenditure has surged by more than 65% once you tally sick leave, workplace accidents, and occupational illnesses. It’s this financial reality that underpins all the measures rolled out since spring 2025.
Until now, there was no rule setting a maximum duration for a sickness‑absence prescription. That changes. The decree of June 12, 2026 (No. 2026-498) creates article R.162-1-7-1 of the Social Security Code and now caps the duration of each prescription issued from September 1, 2026.
Concretely, an initial prescription can no longer exceed 31 days, and each extension is limited to 62 days. These ceilings apply to prescriptions issued by doctors, midwives, and dentists. They do not apply to Mayotte.
Yes, and that’s essential to avoiding misunderstandings. These caps define the length of each prescription, not the overall duration of the illness. When the health condition justifies it, the clinician may deviate from these limits, providing justification on the discontinuation notice and taking into account recommendations from the Haute Autorité de Santé where they exist. The extension can be signed by the initial prescribing physician, the attending doctor, the midwife, or the dentist, and may still be possible via telemedicine under strict conditions.
The second step carries heavier consequences. Two decrees plan to cut the maximum indemnity period for patients under the ALD non-exonérante status from three years to one year. Those affected by mild depression or musculoskeletal disorders are among the first to be affected.
The measure takes effect on October 1, 2026. Notably, it targets not only new suspensions but also those already underway whose duration will have reached six months by that date.
A non-exempt long-term condition (ALD) is a health issue that requires a work interruption or care lasting more than six months, but does not grant exemption from the remaining charges after the base Social Security reimbursement. For example, this can include a shoulder fracture complicated by an infection, or a reactive depressive disorder following the death of a spouse.
The crucial distinction is with the so-called “exonérante” ALD. That category—which includes certain cancers, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and heart failure—grants 100% coverage under the national health insurance rates and keeps its three-year cap on sick leave. It is therefore the “non-exonérante” conditions that see their indemnity period shortened.
These decisions are part of a broader effort to curb spending. A Malakoff Humanis study published in June 2026 shows that 32% of employees experienced at least one sick leave in 2025, and the absenteeism rate (4.3%) is up 25.5% from 2019. For the first time, mental health issues have become the leading reason for more than 30 days off, surpassing musculoskeletal disorders.
The amount of the daily allowances has also been cut. Since April 1, 2025, the salary used for calculation is capped at 1.4 times the Smic, down from 1.8 previously, meaning roughly €2,613 gross in 2026 for a daily allowance capped at around €42.97. This reduction only affects workers whose income exceeds the threshold.
Other levers are backing the movement. The rules governing sick leave prescribed via teleconsultation were tightened starting in 2024, and the government is proposing a mandatory second medical opinion before the prescription of a sick leave for anxiety-depressive and musculoskeletal disorders. On the front of workplace accidents and occupational diseases, another decree of June 12, 2026 (No. 2026-501) caps the amount paid per claim at four years, for injuries occurring from January 1, 2027 onward.
To verify your situation, the best course is to consult official sources: the Service-Public portal explains how daily allowances are calculated, while the Digital Labour Code sets out the new maximum prescription durations. If you’re unsure about your ALD status, your treating physician and your health insurance fund remain your go-to contacts.
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