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France Drafts Decree to Raise Family-Allowance Top-Up Age to 18

The government frames the change as evidence-based savings to finance a new 'congé de naissance'.

Overview

  • The health ministry confirms a proposal to shift the adolescent increase from age 14 to 18, with application targeted for March 2026.
  • Projected savings total about €200 million in 2026, earmarked to support the planned birth leave offering up to two extra months per parent.
  • A DREES study cited by officials questions higher costs at 14 and recommends using 18 as the threshold.
  • The current top-up adds €18.88 to €75.53 per month depending on income, so some households could forgo as much as roughly €2,700 a year.
  • The draft will be reviewed alongside the Social Security budget in hearings this week before parliamentary debate in early November, as family groups voice opposition.