This July 1, the brand new additional birth leave officially comes into force. Duration, conditions and procedures: here is everything you need to know about this now active measure.
The whole new additional birth leave officially comes into force on July 1, 2026. Intended to offer time to parents after the arrival of a newborn, this system allows each working parent to take one to two months off while benefiting from compensation from Social Security. Here is what you need to know about the rules and practical arrangements now active.
New birth leave: from when, for whom?
The entry into force of the new birth leave takes place at 1er July 2026. This measure retroactively concerns all children born or adopted since January 1. For children born during this first semester, parents have until March 31, 2027 to trigger their leave. For babies born from today, leave must begin within 9 months of birth.
How long is the new birth leave?
Each parent will be able to take birth leave of up to two months. “Each parent may take the leave simultaneously or alternately with the other“. In addition, the leave may be divided into two one-month periods, but must still be used within a limit of nine months after the birth of the child. So, “parents of children born between January 1 and July 1 will be able to take this new birth leave until April 2027” confirmed the Minister of Health and Families.
Who can benefit from the new birth leave?
Parents whose children were born on or after January 1, 2026 will be able to benefit from this new birth leave, in addition to maternity leave (16 weeks) and paternity leave (28 days). It is also accessible to all employees whether they are mothers, fathers, or adopters.
How much will be the birth leave?
The remuneration will decrease between the first and second months. So, the compensation will be 70% of the net salary for the first month, then 60% for the second month. Please note, however, that this calculation is indexed to the monthly Social Security ceiling (which is €4,005). Health Insurance also specifies that birth leave will not be “cannot be combined simultaneously with CAF services additional childcare or parental leave.
Birth leave must be requested from the employer by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt or delivered by hand against receipt. one month before the start of the leave. This period is, however, reduced to 15 days if the leave follows immediately after maternity, paternity or adoption leave. Furthermore, if the desired duration is equal to two months, the maximum authorized, it should also be specified whether or not the leave will be split into two one-month periods).
You will also need to provide proof of birth (birth certificate, medical proof, etc.). Health Insurance will then pay the compensation (70% of net salary the first month, then 60% the second month). Thus, employers will have to accept this birth leave, in compliance with the legal system, without penalty for employees.
And parental leave?
The new leave does not immediately replace parental leave : the two devices will initially coexist. However, the government is considering longer-term parental leave reforms, but any deletion or reduction will be delicate given the stakes. Concretely, this new leave aims to correct inequality: today, parental leave is widely used by women and little by men. By offering paid, non-transferable leave to each parent, the system encourages them to share more care and presence with the newborn. In addition, the higher amount will make this leave more attractive than current parental leave, which is often insufficient to compensate for a loss of income.
