France Maternity Leave: Complete Guide

France's Maternity Leave System Overview

France's parental leave framework is built on the Code de la Sécurité Sociale (Social Security Code) and the Code du Travail (Labour Code). The system provides maternity leave, paternity leave, and optional parental leave, with benefits paid by the Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM) through the national social security system.

Maternity Leave (Congé de Maternité)

France's maternity leave duration depends on the number of children you already have and whether it is a multiple birth:

• 1st or 2nd child: 16 weeks (6 weeks before birth, 10 weeks after)
• 3rd child or more: 26 weeks (8 weeks before birth, 18 weeks after)
• Twins: 34 weeks (12 weeks before, 22 weeks after)
• Triplets or more: 46 weeks (24 weeks before, 22 weeks after)

When Leave Must Start

Maternity leave must begin at least 6 weeks before the expected due date (8 weeks for the 3rd child or more). However, you can choose to work up to 3 weeks before the due date, with the remaining pre-birth weeks added to the post-birth period (with a medical certificate). If your baby is born early, the post-birth portion is not reduced—you still receive the full post-bath leave duration.

Maternity Leave Payment (Indemnités Journalières de Maternité)

During maternity leave, CPAM pays indemnités journalières de maternité (daily maternity allowances) based on your average gross earnings:

• Payment rate: 100% of your average daily gross earnings (based on the last 3 months before leave)
• Daily cap (2025): €95.22/day (approximately €2,856/month based on 21 working days)
• Minimum payment: €11.87/day (for those with very low or no income)
• Monthly cap: Approximately €3,830.88 for a 16-week leave at maximum daily rate

Payments are made every 14 days (not monthly) and are subject to social security contributions. Your employer may also provide a supplementary payment (maintien de salaire) to top up the CPAM benefit to your full salary, depending on your collective agreement (convention collective).

Eligibility for Maternity Benefits

To qualify for maternity leave benefits, you must:

• Be affiliated with the French social security system for at least 10 months before the expected date of birth
• Have worked at least 200 hours during the 3 months before the start of maternity leave (for salaried employees)
• Or have contributed at least €1,030 in social security contributions in the 12 months before leave (for self-employed)
• Be up to date with social security contributions

Paternity Leave (Congé de Paternité)

France significantly expanded paternity leave in July 2021, increasing it from 11 days to 25 calendar days. The leave is structured as follows:

• 4 consecutive days: Must be taken immediately after birth (can be taken during the hospital stay)
• 11 additional days: Must be taken within 6 months of birth (can be taken in one block or split)
• Multiple births: Extended to 32 days (18 additional days instead of 11)
• Payment: 100% of earnings, up to the same daily cap as maternity leave (€95.22/day)

Paternity leave is available to the father or the mother's partner (regardless of gender, since 2021). Same-sex couples are entitled to the same benefits. Unlike some countries, French paternity leave is not transferable—only the father/partner can take it.

Parental Leave Options After Maternity Leave

After maternity leave ends, French parents have additional options for extending their time at home:

CLCA (Complément de Libre Choix d'Activité)

CLCA is available to parents who wish to stop working or reduce their hours after maternity leave. Key features:

• Duration: Until the child's 1st birthday (can be shared between parents)
• Payment: €444.46/month (full stop) or €222.23/month (50% reduction of hours, for couples sharing)
• Eligibility: Must have at least 2 children and have contributed to social security for at least 8 quarters in the last 5 years
• Job protection: If employed, you can take congé parental (parental leave) with job protection

COLCA (Complément Optionnel de Libre Choix d'Activité)

COLCA is an alternative for parents of 3+ children who commit to stopping work entirely:

• Duration: Until the child's 3rd birthday (much longer than CLCA)
• Payment: €570.39/month (higher than CLCA, but must fully stop working)
• Eligibility: Must have at least 3 children and meet the same contribution requirements as CLCA
• Commitment: Must commit to stopping all professional activity for the duration

Congé Parental d'Éducation (Parental Education Leave)

This is the job-protected leave (separate from the financial benefits above) that allows employed parents to stop working or reduce hours:

• Duration: Up to the child's 3rd birthday
• Eligibility: Must have at least 1 year of seniority with the same employer
• Notice: Inform employer at least 1 month before the desired start date (2 months for extension)
• Return rights: Must be reinstated to the same or similar position
• Can be taken by either parent: One at a time, or simultaneously if working reduced hours

Additional French Family Benefits

France provides several additional benefits that complement parental leave:

Allocation de Rentrée Scolaire (ARS)

Back-to-school allowance for children aged 6-18: €392.05 per child (for 2025, income-tested)

Allocation de Base (PAJE)

Basic allowance for young children (until age 3): €188.34/month (income-tested, for families with moderate income)

PreParE (Prestation Partagée d'Éducation de l'Enfant)

Since 2015, PreParE replaced CLCA/COLCA as the main parental leave benefit. It is part of the PAJE (Prestation d'Accueil du Jeune Enfant) system and provides:

• 1st child: €444.46/month for up to 6 months (only if you stop working)
• 2nd+ child: €444.46/month until child's 3rd birthday (full stop) or €288.65/month (50% reduction)
• 3rd+ child, COLCA option: €570.39/month until child's 3rd birthday
• Can be shared: Between parents, but only one at a time for the "full stop" option

Childcare Subsidies (CMG)

France also subsidizes childcare through the Complément de Libre Choix du Mode de Garde (CMG), which covers up to 50% of childcare costs for children under 6. This allows parents to return to work while receiving significant childcare support.

Comparison with European Neighbors

Self-Employed Workers in France

Self-employed parents in France are also eligible for maternity and paternity benefits through the Sécurité Sociale des Indépendants (SSI). The benefit structure is similar to salaried employees, though the calculation base differs:

• Maternity leave: 16-26 weeks at 100% of average daily income (based on last 3 years' declarations)
• Paternity leave: 25 days at 100% of average daily income
• PreParE: Same €444.46/month benefit as salaried employees
• Eligibility: Must be affiliated with SSI for at least 10 months before birth and have contributed minimum amounts

How to Apply for Maternity Benefits in France

1. Declare your pregnancy to CPAM as early as possible (using the déclaration de grossesse, typically at 14 weeks)
2. CPAM will send you information about your rights and forms to complete
3. Notify your employer at least 1 month before your planned leave start date
4. Submit your maternity leave declaration to CPAM (form cerfa n° 15412)
5. CPAM calculates your daily allowance based on your last 3 payslips (or 12 months if irregular hours)
6. Payments begin from the first day of leave (weekly or biweekly)
7. For paternity leave, the father/partner submits a separate declaration to CPAM within 1 month of birth