France
France guarantees a statutory minimum of 5 weeks of paid annual leave (25 working days / 30 calendar days) accrued at 2.5 days per month worked. The Labour Code strictly regulates sick leave, maternity, paternity (28 days since 2021) and special leaves.
Disclaimer: This country guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we update it regularly, it may not reflect ongoing regulatory changes. Illizeo SA accepts no liability for actions taken or not taken based on this content.
Annual paid leave
Labour Code L. 3141-35 weeks minimum (L. 3141-3). Accrual 2.5 days/month. Reference period: June 1 – May 31 (unless agreement). Compensation: either salary maintenance or 1/10th rule.
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual paid leave | 25 jours ouvrés | Salary maintenance or 1/10th | Cap 30 calendar days |
| Accrual | 2,5 j/mois | 100% | Over 12 months |
| Carry-over | No unless agreement | — | Balance May 31 |
| 5th week | 5 j | 100% | No splitting < 12 days |
Public holidays
11 holidays (+2 Alsace-Moselle)11 official public holidays (Jan 1, Easter, May 1, May 8, Ascension, Pentecost, July 14, Assumption, All Saints, Nov 11, Christmas). Alsace-Moselle: +2 days (Good Friday, Dec 26). Only May 1 is mandatorily paid and off for all.
| Day | Date | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1er janvier | New Year’s Day | Paid | — |
| March-April | Easter Monday | Paid | Movable |
| 1er mai | Labour Day | Mandatory off | L. 3133-4 |
| 8 mai | V-E Day | Paid | — |
| May (Easter+40) | Ascension | Paid | Thursday |
| May-Jun | Pentecost Monday | Varies (Solidarity Day) | — |
| 14 juillet | Bastille Day | Paid | — |
| 15 août | Assomption | Paid | — |
| 1er novembre | All Saints | Paid | — |
| 11 novembre | Armistice | Paid | — |
| 25 décembre | Christmas | Paid | — |
Sick leave
3-day waiting + 50% IJSSLegal waiting period: 3 days (except long-term illness). IJSS (Social Security daily allowances) paid by CPAM at 50% of daily base salary (cap 1.8 minimum wage), employer top-up based on seniority (1978 monthly law, collective agreements).
| Scenario | Waiting | Pay | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sick leave < 6 months | 3 j | 50% IJSS + top-up | 360 days max over 3 yrs |
| Long-term illness (ALD) | 0 days | 50% IJSS | 3 yrs max |
| Workplace accident | 0 days | 60% d1-28, 80% after | No limit |
| Therapeutic part-time | — | Salary + partial IJSS | 12 months max |
Maternity, paternity, parental
Mat. 16 wks · Pat. 28 daysMaternity 16 weeks minimum (1st-2nd child), 26 weeks from 3rd child, 34/46 weeks for twins/triplets. Paternity 28 days since 2021 (7 mandatory + 21 splittable, within 6 months). Adoption 16/22 weeks. Parental leave until child’s 3rd birthday.
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity (1st-2nd child) | 16 wks (6+10) | 100% capped IJSS | Cap ~€3,666/month 2024 |
| Maternity (3rd+) | 26 wks | 100% IJSS | — |
| Twins | 34 wks | 100% IJSS | — |
| Paternity | 28 days (7 mandatory) | 100% IJSS | Within 6 months |
| Adoption | 16/22 wks | 100% IJSS | Sharing possible |
| Parental | Until age 3 | CAF PreParE allowance | Full/part-time |
Special leaves
Labour Code L. 3142Family event leaves (Labour Code L. 3142): marriage/PACS 4 days, birth 3 days, child marriage 1 day, spouse death 3 days, child death 5-12 days (by age), parent death 3 days. Special leaves: sick child 3 days/year (5 if <1 yr or 3 children), caregiver, training, moving (per collective agreement).
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage / Civil Union | 4 days | 100% | L. 3142-4 |
| Birth / Adoption | 3 days | 100% | Spouse |
| Spouse death | 3 days | 100% | — |
| Child death (< 25) | 12 days (+8 bereavement) | 100% | Since 2020 |
| Parent death | 3 days | 100% | — |
| Sick child < 16 | 3 days/yr (5 if <1) | Unpaid unless CA | — |
| Caregiver | 3 months renewable | AJPA allowance | — |
| Moving | Per agreement | — | — |
Information current as of last update. This guide does not replace local legal advice. For specific situations, consult a labor lawyer in the relevant country.
Centralize France absence management
Illizeo automatically applies French Labour Code rules (accrual, splitting, solidarity day, IJSS, 28-day paternity, family events) with approval workflows.
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