Paris – 10.06.2026: A recent study by Malakoff Humanis has identified a clear increase in sick leaves in France since the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly affecting executives. The study found that the absences are longer and often linked to mental health problems. Overall, employee absences increased between 2019 and 2025.
Between 2019 and 2024, the number of paid sick leave cases rose by 10% to 9.1 million. In 2025, health insurance expenditure on sick pay reached 17.9 billion euros, an increase of 7 billion euros compared to 2016. This development places a strain on both the social security system and companies.
The rise in sick leaves is partly explained by economic and demographic factors such as wage growth, minimum wage increases, and population aging. However, there is also an observed increase in the use of sick leave and a lengthening of the average absence duration.
Particularly concerning is that prescribed absences do not always align with health authority recommendations. For example, 71% of days prescribed for common back pain exceed the recommended duration of 5 days.
To counter this situation and maintain the balance of the social security system, the government has developed a strategy with three focal points: prevention, support for affected employees, and control. The aim is to reduce avoidable absences, better assist affected workers, and ensure fair system management.
Measures already implemented include stricter regulations for sick leaves issued via remote consultations, generally limited to three days, as well as securing paper forms to limit fraud. Additionally, health insurance has intensified its controls on insured persons and prescribing doctors. In 2025, nearly 740,000 insured individuals were supported or monitored, and oversight of doctors with atypical prescribing practices continued.
The Social Security Financing Act for 2026 strengthens regulatory methods. Starting 1 September 2026, the duration of sick leaves will be limited to one month for an initial leave and two months for an extension, unless the patient’s health condition requires an exception. Moreover, prescribing doctors must indicate the reasons for the sick leave. Further measures aim to improve medical monitoring and better regulate longer absences.
Controls will also continue in 2026, with particular focus on longer absences, sick leaves via remote consultations, repeated short absences, and cases of medical nomadism. For work accidents and occupational diseases occurring from 2027 onward, the maximum duration for sick pay payments will also be regulated.
These comprehensive measures are intended to help control the rising sick leaves in France and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.