French Government Approves New Unemployment Insurance Agreement

The revised rules, set to take effect in 2025, introduce changes for seniors, employers, and seasonal workers, while excluding some proposed measures.

The agreement, approved by the government and signed by several unions and employer organizations, will be implemented starting January 1, 2025, with most changes taking effect on April 1, 2025.
Seniors will see the age thresholds for extended unemployment benefits increase by two years, aligning with gradual retirement age changes to reach 64 by 2030.
Employer contributions to unemployment insurance will decrease slightly, from 4.05% to 4% of gross salaries, starting May 2025.
Seasonal workers will benefit from a reduced minimum work requirement of five months, down from six, to qualify for unemployment benefits.
Proposed measures to lower the work requirement for first-time benefit eligibility and reduce benefits for cross-border workers were excluded due to legal and legislative constraints.