France Proposes New 'Birth Leave' to Replace Parental Leave

The government plans to introduce an 8-month paid birth leave in 2026, aiming to promote gender equality and economic balance within families.

The proposed 'birth leave' would provide four months per parent, allowing both parents to take time off simultaneously after maternity or paternity leave.
This new leave would offer significantly higher compensation compared to the current parental leave, which pays approximately €400 per month.
The initiative seeks to address gender disparities in caregiving, as only 14% of mothers and less than 1% of fathers currently take parental leave.
Discussions with social partners and lawmakers are ongoing, with the government aiming to include the proposal in the next social security funding bill.
Additional measures announced include extending childcare subsidies for single-parent families and promoting individualized income tax rates to support economic equality.