Sick leave rules in France at a glance
Statutory rules for France, checked against official government guidance on 15 October 2026.
| Tell your employer | Without delay, by any means; practice is 48 hours if no agreement sets a deadline; send part 3 of the form |
|---|---|
| Self certification | Ask your employer |
| Doctor's certificate needed from | No day threshold stated; the doctor's arrêt de travail is the proof |
| Certificate deadline | 48 hours to the CPAM or MSA; to the employer within 48 hours for the employer top up |
| Waiting days | 3 days; 7 days for the employer top up |
| Employer pays | Top up to 90%, then 66.66%, after 1 year of service |
| State sickness benefit | 50% of the daily base salary, up to €42.97 a day |
| Maximum duration | 12 months over 3 years; 3 years for a long term condition (ALD) |
| Last checked |
Who pays sick pay in France?
In France, employer pay: top up to 90%, then 66.66%, after 1 year of service. State sickness benefit: 50% of the daily base salary, up to €42.97 a day.
- Waiting daysDays 1 to 33 days; 7 days for the employer top up
- State sickness benefitFrom day 450% of the daily base salary, up to €42.97 a day
- EmployerTop up to 90%, then 66.66%, after 1 year of service
- Official body
- CPAM or MSA
- Certificate
- Arrêt de travail
Work out your own figures with the sick pay calculator.
When do you need a doctor's note in France?
In France, a doctor's certificate is needed: no day threshold stated; the doctor's arrêt de travail is the proof.
Self certification. Ask your employer
Certificate deadline. 48 hours to the CPAM or MSA; to the employer within 48 hours for the employer top up
Telling your employer. Without delay, by any means; practice is 48 hours if no agreement sets a deadline; send part 3 of the form
Check your own dates with the "do I need a note" tool, or see how to get a doctor's note in France.
Worked example: 10 days off sick in France
How a 10 day absence runs in France, step by step. No money is worked out here.
| When | What happens | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tell your employer | Without delay, by any means; practice is 48 hours if no agreement sets a deadline; send part 3 of the form |
| Days 1 to 3 | Waiting days | 3 days; 7 days for the employer top up |
| Days 4 to 10 | State sickness benefit | 50% of the daily base salary, up to €42.97 a day |
Maximum duration: 12 months over 3 years; 3 years for a long term condition (ALD)
For your own figures, use the sick pay calculator. It reads the same checked data as this page.
What is different about sick leave in France?
Since 1 January 2026, sending your form late can cut allowances by up to 100%.
Since 1 September 2026, a first prescription is normally limited to 31 days.
What if you work in France but live in another country?
If you work in France and live in another country, you are usually covered by the social security system where you work, so the rules on this page apply.
Report sick by the rule in France (without delay, by any means), and send any certificate to the body that pays you (CPAM or MSA).
If your doctor is in another country, ask the paying body (CPAM or MSA) which format it accepts.
More on working in one country and living in another. Related tool: Fit to fly readiness checklist
Frequently asked questions
The rule for telling your employer in France: without delay, by any means; practice is 48 hours if no agreement sets a deadline; send part 3 of the form.
The certificate deadline in France: 48 hours to the CPAM or MSA; to the employer within 48 hours for the employer top up.
Waiting days in France: 3 days; 7 days for the employer top up.
The maximum duration of sick pay in France: 12 months over 3 years; 3 years for a long term condition (ALD).
Sick leave rules in neighbouring countries
Compare France with Belgium and Spain, or see all 42 countries side by side.
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