PLFSS 2026: the key measures

Health & Welfare

If the objective remains to guarantee a quality of care, an effort of 7.1 billion euros is requested in 2026 in order to control healthcare expenses. For this, the following measures have been put forward:

Doubling of the amount of fixed contributions and deductibles:

They would increase in 2026 to 2€ per box of medication, 4€ per medical act, 8€ for medical transport with an annual ceiling of 100€. This measure will not apply to minors, pregnant women, and beneficiaries of the Complémentaire Santé Solidaire.

Limitation of the initial duration of sick leave:

No maximum duration of sick leave is currently provided for, despite the existence of reference sheets published by the Health Insurance after consultation with the HAS, which mention indicative durations of sick leave. The project proposes to regulate the possibilities of prescribing sick leave by healthcare professionals, in principle limiting the initial prescription to 15 days in town and 30 days in hospital. It also specifies that the reasons for the sick leave must be stated on the sick leave certificate, for control purposes by the health insurance.

Reform of the ALD (Long-Term Illness) system:

New prevention pathways are being discussed for patients at risk of developing a long-term illness, including services not covered by insurance such as physical activity support or dietary guidance. On this occasion, the criteria for admission to long-term illness would also be reviewed by the High Health Authority. Furthermore, it is suggested to remove the derogatory rules regarding daily allowances currently allowed by the long-term illness scheme, known as "non-exempting." Insured individuals with a condition that requires a work interruption of at least six months, but is not recognized as an exempting long-term illness, will be subject to the common rules regarding daily allowances (maximum of 360 days over 3 years).

Work Accidents and Occupational Diseases (AT-MP)

The project proposes to improve the recognition of occupational diseases as well as the processing times of cases in the region. It is also suggested to limit the period of compensation for temporary incapacity of victims of work-related accidents and occupational diseases to four years for the same incident. After the expiration of a period determined by decree, these victims will transition to permanent disability and will thus benefit from a more suitable regulation for their situation.

Price reductions:

They would be planned as early as the first quarter of 2026 for sectors deemed excessively profitable such as radiotherapy or dialysis. A tax on fee overruns would also be implemented.

Disability and autonomy:

The full reimbursement of wheelchairs would come into effect on December 1, 2025. An additional investment of 100 million euros would be dedicated to intermediate forms of housing (autonomy residences, inclusive housing) for the elderly.

Fight against medical deserts:

The government wishes to create 5,000 France Santé houses by 2027, establish a status for territorial practitioners of ambulatory medicine, and make it mandatory for final year general medicine students to complete a one-year internship in an "under-served" area.

Mental health:

Continuation of the national mental health strategy with funding of 65 million euros.

Extension of the capital access:

Proposal to extend benefits to non-agricultural self-employed workers following a work accident or occupational illness.

Family

Birth leave:

A new parental leave will be introduced in 2027. Better paid, it would last up to 2 months and could be taken by parents simultaneously or alternately.

Family allowances:

The age for the increase in family allowances would gradually be raised from 14 to 18 years for future beneficiaries starting from March 2026. The principle of universality of these allowances would be maintained.

Public early childhood service:

The deployment of the service would continue to offer a quality and accessible childcare solution to every family.