How do paternity leave and paternity pay work in France?

In this article, we will cover:

Paternity leave and pay entitlement and duration

In case of multiple births

Paternity leave extensions

What documents do I need as an employee?

Employees' steps to request and process paternity leave

How is paternity leave paid?

Paternity leave and pay entitlement and duration

Fathers or partners (cohabitants) of a child’s mother are entitled to twenty-eight (28) days of Paternity Leave. This leave consists of two periods:

First period of paternity leave

The first period of Paternity Leave consists of 3 consecutive mandatory days immediately following the birth, during which the employee must refrain from working.

Second period of paternity leave

The second period of Paternity Leave extends for a duration of 25 calendar days, consisting of 4 compulsory days and 21 optional days.

Note: Calendar days are all days in a calendar spanning from January 1 to December 31, including public holidays and non-working days).

In case of multiple births

In the event of multiple births, a first leave period of 4 consecutive mandatory days immediately following the birth. The second leave period can be extended to 28 calendar days, for a total of 32 days of paternity leave.

Extensions

If the child requires immediate hospitalization after birth, the initial 4-day paternity leave can be extended upon the employee's request. This extension covers the entire hospitalization period and can last up to a maximum of 30 days.

What documents do I need as an employee?

• If the employee is the father of the child:
  1. a full copy of the child's birth certificate
  2. or a copy of the updated family record book
  3. or, where applicable, a copy of the child's recognition certificate
• If the employee is not the father of the child but shares a life with the mother, through marriage, civil solidarity pact, or cohabitation:
  1. Copy of the child's birth certificate.

One of the following documents should be provided to establish the relationship with the child's mother:

1. Marriage certificate
2. or copy of the PACS (civil solidarity pact)
3. or Certificate of cohabitation, dated within a year. If not available, a signed sworn declaration of marital status signed by the child's mother.

If required, CPAM might request these documents to process your request.

Employees' steps to request and process paternity leave

1. The employee must notify the employer of their request at least 1 month before the date on which they plan to take their paternity leave.
2. Create a paternity leave request on the Remote platform and upload both the supporting documentation described above.
3. Ensure that the request is approved by your employer on the platform.
4. Once the leave has been approved by your employer, notify us via email at help@remote.com.
5. After processing this leave, Remote will make a declaration to CPAM so that you can receive the compensation directly from CPAM.

How is paternity leave paid?

Once Remote processes the paternity leave and declares it to Social Security, Social Security will pay the allowances directly to the employee. The maximum amount for paternity IJSS is €95.22 per day in 2023. The IJSS paternity maximum amount is €95.22 per day in 2023.

Note: Remote is responsible solely for making the salary declaration, known as "attestation de salaire," to facilitate compensation from CPAM. All other processes related to your benefit claim must be initiated directly by you with CPAM.