The New Parental Leave in France: What Will Change in 2026?

Becoming a parent is one of the biggest moments in life. It is full of joy, love, and big adjustments. But for many families in France, balancing work and caring for a new baby has not been easy. The old parental leave system, often called congé parental d’éducation, gave time off to parents but very little money. Many families could not afford to take it.

That is why the French government is planning a big reform in 2026. A new system, called the “congé de naissance” (birth leave), will soon replace or reshape the old parental leave. Let’s look at what will change, why it matters, and how it might help new parents across France.

A Short History:

The Old Parental Leave

Before 2026, France already offered several types of leave for parents.

The maternity leave lasted about 16 weeks for most mothers.

The paternity leave was 25 days for fathers or partners.

After that, parents could take congé parental d’éducation, up to three years long, but the pay was very low — usually around €400 to €600 per month.

That meant only families with high incomes or strong financial support could afford to stay home for long. Many mothers returned to work sooner than they wanted, while others left their jobs permanently because part-time work and childcare were too expensive.

This system was meant to help parents raise their children, but in reality, it often hurt women’s careers and did not encourage fathers to take part equally in child care.

The Birth of a New Idea

The French government, under President Emmanuel Macron, decided to make the system fairer and more modern. The goal: to create a parental leave that both parents can take, with better pay and shorter duration, so that more people actually use it.

This is how the new “congé de naissance” was born.

The reform is part of the 2026 Social Security Budget (PLFSS 2026) and is expected to become law soon. If all goes as planned, it will start in 2025 or early 2026.

What the New Leave Looks Like

Here’s what we know so far about the new birth leave:

Feature What Will Happen

Duration Each parent will have three months of leave. The two parents can take it one after another or at the same time.

When It must be used during the baby’s first year of life.

Pay The pay will be around 50% of the parent’s salary, with a maximum of about €1,900 per month.

For Whom Available for both parents, including adoptive and same-sex parents.

Goal To replace or simplify the old long parental leave, and to make it financially possible for both parents to stay home for a few months.

Why This Change Matters

The government’s main idea is to help families share child care more equally and to make sure money is not the reason parents skip their time with their babies.

Experts say the new system could bring several benefits:

Better balance for families

Parents will be able to spend more time with their babies during the important first year — without losing all their income.

More equality between men and women

Because fathers can take well-paid leave, it becomes easier for both parents to share the early months. This can reduce gender inequality at work and at home.

Stronger support for working parents

Many parents stop working or move to part-time jobs because of childcare costs. With this reform, they might not need to quit their jobs entirely.

Better start for children

Research shows that babies benefit emotionally and socially when both parents are present during the first months.

What Still Needs to Be Decided

Although the plan sounds positive, some details are not yet final.

Can both parents take the leave at the same time?

The government says yes, but rules about timing may depend on the employer or the baby’s needs.

Will it replace the old long parental leave completely?

Some experts want both systems to exist together — one short and paid, one longer but less paid. The final law will decide this.

Who will pay for it?

Most likely, the national health insurance will handle the payments, but the exact funding and employer obligations are still being discussed.

How It Compares to Other Countries

France’s new system will make it more similar to countries like Sweden or Germany, where both parents are encouraged to take time off.

In Sweden, parents can share up to 480 days of leave, and the pay is around 80% of their income.

Germany offers Elterngeld, a benefit that pays 65–67% of income for up to 14 months if both parents take part.

France is not going that far yet, but the change is a big step toward modern European family policies.

Voices from Families

Many parents welcome the new plan.

Sophie, a mother of two from Lyon, says:

“I couldn’t afford to take long leave after my first baby. If this new system existed earlier, I would have spent more time with her without worrying about money.”

Some fathers are also excited.

Lucas, a 32-year-old engineer, explains:

“When my son was born, my paternity leave was over before I knew it. Three months paid would be perfect — it’s time to give fathers a real role at home.”

Challenges Ahead

Of course, the reform will not solve everything. Employers will need to adjust schedules and workloads. Some small businesses fear losing staff for several months. And if pay levels are too low, families with smaller incomes might still struggle.

Still, many experts believe this is an important cultural shift. It sends a clear message: caring for a child is valuable work — and both parents should have the chance to do it.

Final Thoughts

The new parental leave in France is not just a legal change. It’s a social evolution. For decades, mothers have carried most of the weight of early child care. Now, the government wants to make family time a shared responsibility — and an affordable one.

If the plan succeeds, it could inspire other countries to follow the same path. In the end, giving parents the freedom to spend time with their babies may be one of the smartest investments a nation can make.