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France Delays Family-Allowance Top-Up to Age 18 for New Cases, Effective Today

The government says the shift will finance a July launch of paid birth leave through projected social-security savings.

Overview

  • Under a decree now in force, the age for the family-allowance increase moves from 14 to 18 for future beneficiaries, with no change for families already receiving the top-up.
  • The removal of four years of the add-on cuts up to €75.90 per month, or about €900 per year, per teenager, reaching roughly €3,600 over four years for the lowest-income households.
  • Government estimates point to €210 million in savings in 2026, rising to €1.2 billion annually within four years, with about 5.1 million families affected over time.
  • The savings are earmarked for a new congé de naissance starting July 1, giving each parent two months off paid at 70% of net salary for the first month then 60%, with a full‑year cost near €600 million.
  • Family associations, the HCFEA’s family council and the Cnaf board oppose the change, saying it concentrates losses on large and modest households as births fell to 644,000 in 2025.