What help is available if you are a carer in France?

If you care daily for a relative in France who is elderly, disabled, or seriously ill, you are considered an aidant familial (family carer). 

Fortunately, there are several forms of support available through the French system to help you manage this vital role.

Taking leave from work to provide care

Employees with at least one year of service can request congé de proche aidant – carer’s leave – to care for a loved one. 

This leave can last up to three months and is renewable, with a lifetime maximum of one year. In some work sectors, the allowed duration may vary.

You must notify your employer in writing (by letter or email) and provide medical proof of your relative’s disability or loss of independence. 

With your employer’s agreement, this leave may be taken part-time.

Financial support is available during this leave via the allocation journalière du proche aidant (Ajpa) – a daily allowance for caregivers of €65.80, up to 22 days per month.

End-of-life care leave

If your relative is nearing the end of life, you may qualify for congé de solidarité familiale (compassionate family leave). 

This can be taken for up to three months, renewable once. 

A doctor’s certificate is required, and ideally, 15 days’ notice should be given – though urgent cases can begin immediately.

Carers on this leave can receive an allocation journalière d’accompagnement d’une personne en fin de vie (daily allowance for accompanying a person at the end of their life) of €64.41 per day, or €32.21 if working part-time.

Read more: How to stay living in your own home in France when you are dependent

Right to respite for family carers

Carers of people receiving the allocation personnalisée d'autonomie (APA) – a benefit for elderly people needing assistance – have the right to respite care when no one else can step in.

The APA may cover up to €573.77 annually for respite services such as day or night care, temporary accommodation, host family stays (accueil familial), or in-home professional carers. 

This is either included in the APA or added as aide au répit (respite help) if financial limits are exceeded.

If the carer is hospitalised, a one-off allowance of up to €1,139.94 can fund temporary replacement care.

Reevaluating APA support

If circumstances change — either for the carer or the person receiving care — you can request a reassessment of the APA benefit. 

This can be done by the carer, the APA recipient, or a legal representative.

Becoming a paid carer

In some cases, a family carer may become a salaried employee of the person they care for.

If the care recipient is over 70 or receives APA, they will not have to pay social charges. Some other pensioners may also qualify depending on their personal situation.

Salaries paid benefit from a 50% tax credit up to €12,000 plus an extra €1,500 per household member aged over 65 up to a maximum of €15,000. 

The limit is €20,000 if the person is registered disabled (with a carte d'invalidité). 

If you are unsure what support you may be entitled to, contact your local Maison des Solidarités or Caisse d’Allocations Familiales (CAF). They can guide you through applications and eligibility based on your circumstances.