Source date: 2026-06-02
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From July 1, 2026
Implementation of the additional birth leave: what are the practical arrangements? Published on June 3, 2026 - Service Public / Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister's Office)
The additional birth leave comes into effect on July 1, 2026. Several decrees published in the Official Journal on May 31 clarify the practical arrangements for this new scheme. Service Public explains.
The additional birth leave, created by the 2026 Social Security Financing Act, grants each parent 1 to 2 months of paid leave, which is added to existing leaves (maternity, paternity and child welcome, adoption). It complements these leaves to provide families with more time during the first months of the child's life.
Parents may take this leave simultaneously or alternately, and may split it into two 1-month periods if they wish. It is an individual and personal right that cannot be transferred from one parent to the other. Each parent has their own entitlement.
Announced at the beginning of 2026, this scheme was clarified by several decrees published on May 31, 2026.
What are the eligibility conditions for the additional birth leave?
The additional birth leave must be taken within a maximum period of 9 months following the birth or arrival of the child in the household. It can only begin after the expiration of the maternity, paternity and child welcome, or adoption leaves to which the parent is entitled.
It applies to parents of a child:
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born or adopted on or after January 1, 2026;
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or whose birth was expected on that date.
For parents of children born or adopted between January 1 and June 30, 2026 (or born before January 1 but whose birth was expected on or after January 1, 2026), this 9-month period is calculated starting from July 1, 2026, the date the implementing decrees come into effect (and not from the date of birth). Therefore, the leave must begin no later than March 31, 2027, if you fall within this birth period.
Who is eligible?
The following individuals may benefit from this leave:
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employees in the private sector, subject to meeting the conditions for entitlement to daily allowances from Social Security (activity, affiliation duration, etc.);
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public servants (covering all three branches of the civil service, including military personnel and medical staff), subject to meeting the statutory conditions applicable in their administration.
Also covered are self-employed workers (craftsmen, traders, liberal professions...), employees and non-employees under the agricultural scheme, artist-authors, job seekers, trainees, and second- and third-cycle students in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and midwifery.
How is the additional birth leave compensated?
The additional birth leave is covered by Social Security in the form of daily birth allowances, providing partial income replacement. The compensation rate for employees is:
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70% of the capped salary* in the 1st month;
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60% of the capped salary* in the 2nd month.
*The salary taken into account is capped at the Social Security ceiling (€4,005 in 2026) and is calculated based on the last 3 months of salary preceding the leave.
Find all information on daily allowances related to the additional birth leave on the Ameli website, depending on your status.
What steps need to be taken?
You must inform your employer at least 1 month before the start date of the leave, specifying the start date, duration, and, if you wish to split the leave, the dates of the split periods. This notice period is reduced to 15 days if the leave immediately follows paternity and child welcome leave or adoption leave.
To submit your request, you can:
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send it to your employer by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt;
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hand-deliver it to your employer.
A letter template has been developed by the Ministry of Labour to help you make your request.
Can the allowances for this leave be combined with other benefits?
The scheme strictly limits the possibilities for combining this leave with other benefits.
The additional birth leave cannot be combined:
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with daily allowances paid for illness or work-related accidents;
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with unemployment benefits;
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with the Shared Child Education Benefit (PreParE) for the same period;
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with the Free Choice of Childcare Supplement (CMG) for the child concerned during the leave period;
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the Parental Presence Allowance (AJPP);
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the Carer Daily Allowance (AJPA).
Legal texts and references
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Decree No. 2026-419 of May 30, 2026, relating to the additional birth leave
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Decree No. 2026-425 of May 30, 2026, relating to the additional birth leave
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Decree No. 2026-426 of May 30, 2026, relating to the additional birth leave
See also
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Additional birth leave for private sector employees Service Public
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Additional birth leave in the civil service Service Public
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Creation of an additional birth leave Service Public
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The additional birth leave - Press kit Ministry responsible for health
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Additional birth leave on Ameli Ameli.fr
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Additional birth leave for agricultural employees and self-employed workers Central Fund for Agricultural Social Mutualité (MSA)
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Source: Service-Public particuliers