Source date: 2026-06-17

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New procedures for pre-return and return-to-work visits Published on June 18, 2026 - Entreprendre Service Public / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The decree concerning pre-return and return-to-work visits following sick leave was published on June 14. Entreprendre Service Public explains.

When must a pre-return visit take place?

The pre-return visit allows for anticipating and supporting an employee during sick leave. However, it is not mandatory.

It can be requested by:

• the occupational health physician;

• the treating physician;

• the medical advisor of social security organizations;

• the employee themselves.

Following this visit, the physician may recommend adjustments or accommodations, reclassification measures, or the implementation of professional training.

When must a return-to-work visit take place?

The return-to-work visit is a medical examination allowing for the assessment of the employee's health status. It must be conducted by the occupational health physician on the day of returning to work or within the following 8 days. It is the employer's responsibility to request the date of the return-to-work visit from the prevention and occupational health service.

It must take place in the following cases:

• after maternity leave;

• after an absence of at least 30 days due to a work accident;

• after an absence of at least 60 days due to illness or non-work-related accident;

• following an absence due to an occupational disease.

The physician may recommend adjustments to the workstation, assess whether professional activity is compatible with the employee's health status, or issue an opinion of unfitness.

Any employee on sick leave for more than 30 days is entitled to request a pre-return visit.

What are the new procedures for pre-return and return-to-work visits?

The decree on the procedures for pre-return and return-to-work visits introduces several changes.

Thus, the employer must now be informed by the Prevention and Occupational Health Service (SPST) of the organization of a pre-return visit, even if there is no recommendation from the occupational health physician. Nevertheless, the worker may object if they wish.

Furthermore, unless requested by the occupational health physician, the employer, or the worker, a return-to-work visit is not required if the following two conditions are met:

• the worker already had a pre-return visit within the 30 days preceding their return to work;

• during the pre-return visit, the occupational health physician stated that "no individual measures for adjustment, adaptation, or transformation of the workstation, nor any measures for adjusting working hours were necessary for the return."

However, even if the conditions for exemption are met, the employer, the occupational health physician, or the employee retain the right to request a return-to-work visit.

These new provisions apply to sick leaves issued starting June 15, 2026.

Legal texts and references

• Decree No. 2026-503 of June 12, 2026, regarding the procedures for pre-return and return-to-work visits

• Article L4624-2 of the Labor Code

• Article L4624-2-4 of the Labor Code

• Article L4624-2-3 of the Labor Code

• Article R4624-29 of the Labor Code

See also

• Occupational disease: employee's return to work Service Public

• Sick leave: employee's return to work Service Public

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Source: Service-Public professionals