On December 26, 2025, France's Ministry of Health and Families announced a delay for the new supplementary birth leave from January 1, 2026, to July 2026, citing technical rollout needs. Parents of children born or adopted from January to May 2026 can access it until year-end. The reform, part of a push against declining birth rates, supplements existing maternity and paternity leaves.
Following recent parliamentary votes advancing the start to January 2026—despite an original July 2027 target—the government has postponed France's new supplementary birth leave to July 2026 for a smoother rollout. Announced by President Emmanuel Macron in January 2024 as 'demographic rearmament,' it offers each parent one or two months of leave, taken simultaneously, alternately, or split.
The ministry explained that 18 months are needed to update employer HR software and social security systems, avoiding delays in payments and extra administrative burden. Compensation will be about 70% of net salary for the first month and 60% for the second, per decree.
An exceptional measure allows parents of children born or adopted January 1 to May 31, 2026, to claim until December 31, 2026. 'The May 31 date covers most situations,' the ministry told AFP.
This addresses France's multi-year birth rate decline by enhancing family flexibility.
