Congé maternité Frankreich 2026 — Dauer nach Geburtsrang, IJSS-Berechnung, PreParE, Arbeitgeberaufstockung

• Duration by birth rank and multiple births
• The IJSS daily benefit formula
• CCN employer top-up: where the real money is
• PreParE and resignation strategy

The French congé maternité duration depends on how many children you already have AND whether the new birth is single or multiple. First or second child (single): 16 weeks (6 before birth + 10 after). Third or later child (single): 26 weeks (8 before + 18 after). Twins: 34 weeks (12 before + 22 after). Triplets or more: 46 weeks (24 before + 22 after).

The split between 'before' and 'after' is partly flexible. Pregnant employees can transfer up to 3 weeks of pre-natal leave to post-natal leave with their doctor's approval (the 'report de congé prénatal').

If the actual birth date differs from the expected date, the post-natal portion still gets the full 10/18/22 weeks — only the pre-natal portion adjusts. So if you give birth 1 week early, you don't lose anything.

Indemnité journalière de Sécurité sociale (IJSS) is calculated on the average daily salary of the last 3 months before the leave starts. The formula: total gross salary in the last 3 calendar months ÷ 91.25, then reduced by 21% for CSG/CRDS deductions to get the net daily amount.

The result is capped at the Plafond de la Sécurité sociale (PSS): in 2026, gross PSS = €3,925/month → IJSS daily ceiling ≈ €97/day net. Earners above ~€3,900 gross/month receive the same IJSS as someone at exactly €3,900.

The pre-natal IJSS starts the day the leave officially begins (the 6/8/12-week pre-birth date) and continues uninterrupted through the post-natal period. It is paid monthly by your CPAM into your bank account — usually with a 7-10 day lag.

Most French collective agreements (CCN — Convention Collective Nationale) require the employer to TOP UP the IJSS to maintain 100% of the employee's NORMAL net salary during the congé maternité. Without the CCN top-up, you receive only the IJSS — which is often 60-70% of your real net salary if you earn above the PSS ceiling.

Examples of CCN with maintenance of 100% net during congé maternité: Syntec (IT), Métallurgie (engineering), banque (banking), assurance (insurance), retail (some sectors), most major groups.

Find your CCN by searching 'idcc XXXX' followed by the 4-digit code in your contract. The CCN text on Légifrance specifies the exact formula and any conditions (e.g. minimum tenure of 6 months or 1 year).

PreParE (Prestation partagée d'éducation de l'enfant) is a flat €448/month paid by CAF if you stop working entirely after the congé maternité. Duration: up to 6 months for one child, 12-24 months for second/third etc. It is shared between parents (CAF requires both to take it for the full duration).

PreParE is incompatible with continuing to work part-time AND drawing salary continuation. If you stop working entirely it kicks in. Most parents combine: 16 weeks at 100% via IJSS + CCN top-up → then 6-12 months at €448/month via PreParE → then return to work.

Resignation during pregnancy or congé maternité: you keep IJSS for the duration of the leave, but you LOSE the 10-week post-maternity dismissal protection. Better strategy: negotiate a rupture conventionnelle BEFORE pregnancy or AFTER the protection period ends. The protection makes you very hard to dismiss for 4-5 months around the birth — use this leverage.