France offers one of the most generous paternity leave entitlements in Europe: 32 calendar days of paid leave — 28 days of base leave plus 4 additional days for multiple births. The leave is paid at 100% of salary, funded through the social security system, and the employer cannot refuse the request.
This guide covers French paternity leave in 2026: the 32-day entitlement, the pay calculation, employer obligations, the notice requirements, and how paternity leave fits alongside the broader parental leave framework.
Key takeaways
- Fathers are entitled to 32 calendar days of paternity leave (28 days base + 4 days for multiples), under article L1225-35-2 of the French Labour Code.
- The leave is paid at 100% of salary by social security (Sécurité sociale), up to the social security ceiling.
- The leave must be taken within 4 months of the birth or adoption of the child.
- A 4-day minimum applies — the employee cannot take less than 4 consecutive days.
- The leave is mandatory in nature — the employer cannot refuse it, and the employee cannot be penalised for taking it.
- For multiple births, 4 additional days are added (32 days total for twins, 32 days for triplets or more — the base increase applies per multiple).
The statutory entitlement
Article L1225-35-2 of the French Labour Code grants the father 32 calendar days of paternity leave following the birth of a child. The entitlement was increased from 28 to 32 days in 2021, with the additional 4 days covering multiple births.
Key rules:
- The leave is taken in a single block — it cannot be split into separate periods.
- The employee must take at least 4 consecutive days (the initial leave block), with the remaining 24 days taken within 4 months.
- The leave cannot begin before the birth — the earliest start date is the day of birth.
- The leave must be completed within 4 months of the birth.
- The employee must provide a birth certificate to the employer as proof.
- Paternity leave is in addition to the 3-day birth leave (congé de naissance) that all employees are entitled to.
How paternity leave pay works
Paternity leave in France is paid through the social security system, not by the employer. The employee files an attestation with their CPAM (Caisse primaire d’assurance maladie), which processes the payment.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | 32 calendar days (28 base + 4 for multiples) |
| Pay rate | 100% of daily salary (up to social security ceiling) |
| Payment source | Social security (CPAM) |
| Employer obligation | No direct payment — but may be required to provide attestation |
| Social security ceiling (2026) | Approx. EUR 3,864/month (confirm annually) |
The calculation is based on the employee’s daily salary averaged over the 3 months preceding the leave. If the employee’s salary exceeds the social security ceiling, the employer is not legally obligated to pay the difference — though many do through enhanced paternity pay policies.
When the leave must be taken
The 32 days must be used within 4 months of the child’s birth. In practice, most employees take the leave immediately after birth or immediately after the mother’s maternity leave ends.
The law does not specify exactly when within the 4-month window the leave must start, only that it must be completed within that period. However, the initial block of at least 4 consecutive days is typically taken at or around the birth.
Employer obligations
French employers have four core duties around paternity leave:
- Accept the request — paternity leave is a mandatory right and cannot be refused.
- Process the attestation — the employer may need to provide documentation to CPAM for the employee’s benefit claim.
- Maintain employment terms — the employee’s position, seniority, and benefits are protected during the leave.
- Do not penalise the employee for taking paternity leave — this includes in performance reviews, promotions, or contract renewals.
The employer’s role is largely administrative. Social security handles the payment, and the employer’s obligation is to grant the leave and maintain the employment relationship.
Worked example
Marc works for a technology company in Paris. His wife gives birth to twins on 5 September 2026. Marc is entitled to 32 calendar days (28 base + 4 for twins).
Marc takes his 32 days starting on 6 September 2026, completing the leave by 7 October 2026 — within the 4-month window.
His daily salary is EUR 250. Social security pays Marc EUR 250 per day for 32 days = EUR 8,000 (assuming this is within the social security ceiling). His employer does not pay the salary during this period, as social security covers the full amount.
Marc’s employment terms — position, salary, seniority — are fully protected during the 32-day leave.
Common pitfalls
1. Confusing paternity leave with birth leave (congé de naissance)
Birth leave is 3 days of paid leave for all employees, paid by the employer. Paternity leave is 32 days of paid leave, paid by social security. They are separate entitlements and both can be taken.
2. Not tracking the 4-month window
If the employee does not take the leave within 4 months of birth, the entitlement is lost. Employers should track this window and remind employees.
3. Splitting the leave into blocks
The law requires paternity leave to be taken as a single continuous block. The employee cannot take 4 days now and 28 days later — it must be one period.
4. Assuming the employer pays for paternity leave
Social security pays. The employer’s role is to grant the leave and assist with the administrative process. However, if the employee’s salary exceeds the social security ceiling, the employer may choose to top up the difference — this is contractual, not statutory.
For more French context, see our guide to maternity leave in France, the overview of types of leave, and our guide to absence management.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of paternity leave in France?
Fathers receive 32 calendar days (28 base days + 4 additional days for multiple births). The leave must be taken within 4 months of birth.
Can the employer refuse paternity leave?
No. Paternity leave is a mandatory statutory right. The employer cannot refuse it, delay it, or penalise the employee for taking it.
When must paternity leave be taken?
The leave must be taken within 4 months of the birth or adoption. It is taken as a single continuous block of at least 4 consecutive days.
Who pays for paternity leave in France?
Social security (CPAM) pays the employee directly at 100% of the daily salary, up to the social security ceiling. The employer does not pay the salary during paternity leave.
Is paternity leave the same as birth leave?
No. Birth leave (congé de naissance) is 3 days paid by the employer. Paternity leave is 32 days paid by social security. Both are separate entitlements that can be taken by the same employee.
Managing 32-day paternity leave blocks alongside maternity leave, birth leave, and other statutory absences across a French workforce requires precise tracking. A leave management system that handles the 4-month window, social security documentation, and employment protection automatically keeps you compliant.
Sources
- Service-Public.fr — Congé de paternité (primary source)
- Article L1225-35-2, Code du travail
- Ameli.fr — Indemnités journalières de paternité
- URSSAF — Congé de paternité et d’accueil de l’enfant
Last updated: 26 July 2026. This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Social security ceilings and payment rates change annually — confirm current figures with CPAM and the applicable collective bargaining agreement.