Decree no. 2026-503 of 12 June 2026
A decree of 12 June 2026 has adjusted the rules on occupational health visits during and after sick leave, in two respects.
First, the pre-return medical visit (visite de préreprise) – an optional visit designed to help employees on sick leave of more than 30 days stay in work – has been reorganised. Unless the worker objects, the occupational physician (médecin du travail) must now inform the employer that such a visit is being arranged, and of any recommendations made (for example, workstation adjustments, redeployment proposals or training to aid a return) ; the employer must still be informed if no recommendations are issued. The aim is to ensure that measures supporting the employee’s return can be put in place in good time.
Second, the decree creates a new exemption from the return-to-work medical visit (visite de reprise), which is otherwise compulsory after, among other things, maternity leave or a lengthy absence. The return visit is no longer required where both of the following conditions are met :
- the employee had a pre-return visit within the 30 days before actually returning to work ; and
- at that visit, the occupational physician concluded that no individual measures to adjust the workstation or working time were needed.
These conditions are cumulative, and the exemption does not apply if the occupational physician, the employer or the employee asks for a return visit to be held.
The new rules apply to sick leave certificates issued from 15 June 2026.
