Strikes in France in December 2025 and how you may be impacted

Some strike action is expected in the final month of the year, as workers in several sectors remain dissatisfied with the 2026 draft budget. 

A quasi-general strike is planned on Tuesday, December 2, headed by several major unions.

Further protests are possible dependent on the final text of the budget and its eventual approval by Parliament.

Below, we look at the current strike action scheduled for the month. We will add to this article when new action is announced. 

CGT, Solidaires, and teaching unions - December 2 

The CGT and Solidaires unions are encouraging workers from all sectors to walk out on December 2, and are being joined by the FSU teaching union. 

The one-day strike is intended to show union dissatisfaction over the draft text. It will protest cuts in the draft budget, as well as the elimination of thousands of teaching jobs. 

Schools may have classes cancelled on the day, or be shut entirely. Disruption to public transport, outpatient and public hospitals, and public services is possible. 

However, ferry transport and airports are not set to be impacted. 

Doctors in south-east - December 3 onwards

A major strike from doctors backed by several unions is scheduled from January 5, 2026, over cuts included in the 2026 draft budget. 

However, doctors in the south-east will begin action earlier on December 3, before the rest of the country joins at the start of next year. 

Doctors in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments are confirmed to take part. This may extend to others in the area. 

The Collectif médical Sud-Est, Jeunes Médecins, and La Fédération des Médecins de France unions are all backing the action. 

It may therefore be harder to find an appointment, and accompanying administration (such as updating medical dossiers) may not be carried out as part of strike action. 

Teaching assistants for disabled students - December 16

Accompagnants d’Élèves en Situation de Handicap (Teaching Assistants for Disabled Students or AESH) are being urged to walk out by most major unions on December 16. 

Unions argue that assistants face precarious contracts and a lack of stability, in addition to an estimated 50,000 disabled students potentially going without aid from teaching assistants this school year (up from 36,000 in 2024).

The strike will likely impact disabled students, but may also have a knock on effect throughout schools, leading to disruption for all pupils. 

Parents of students who receive AESH help should prepare for services to be unavailable on that day, and may need to arrange alternative provision.