French Independent Doctors Stage Ten-Day Strike, Major Protest in Paris Over 2026 Social Security Budget

Nationwide Strike Grips French Healthcare

Independent doctors in France have initiated a ten-day strike, commencing on Monday, January 5, 2026, and scheduled to continue until January 15, 2026. The industrial action, described as unprecedented in scale, is a unified protest against the government's proposed 2026 Social Security budget. Today, Saturday, January 10, 2026, marks a critical point in the mobilization with a major demonstration taking place in Paris.

The strike involves a broad spectrum of healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, specialists, young doctors, and medical interns. Various medical unions, coordinating bodies, and medical students are supporting the movement. The Confederation of French Medical Trade Unions (CSMF) anticipates a high participation rate, with approximately 85% of its members expected to join the strike.

Core Grievances Against the 2026 Budget

At the heart of the dispute are several provisions within the Social Security Financing Law (LFSS) for 2026, which doctors argue threaten the viability of private practice and patient access to care. Key concerns include:

• An insufficient budget to meet growing healthcare needs.
• New powers for the national health insurance fund (CNAM) to regulate doctors' fees and curb 'excessively profitable' extra billing.
• Tighter regulations and increased oversight on sick-leave prescriptions.
• Measures that would allow authorities to unilaterally lower fees for certain medical acts, bypassing established social dialogue.
• Proposals to compel doctors to work in 'medical deserts,' areas experiencing a shortage of medical professionals.
• Concerns that these measures undermine their freedom to practice and professional autonomy.

The 2026 budget notably includes a cap on healthcare spending growth at 1.6%, a significant reduction from the 3.4% seen in 2025.

Impact on Patients and Government Response

The strike has led to widespread disruptions, with many private practices closing, consultations being cancelled or postponed, and operating theatres in private clinics shutting down. This situation is expected to place additional strain on public hospitals, which may see an increase in emergency admissions.

In response, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist has affirmed that the government has implemented measures to ensure continuity of care and mitigate risks to patients. Minister Rist also indicated the possibility of resorting to requisitions, a power allowing the government to compel essential workers back to duty, if necessary. The government maintains that these reforms are crucial for controlling healthcare costs and protecting patients from escalating out-of-pocket expenses, citing an 'exponential increase' in overbilling practices.

Paris Demonstration Underway

Today's major demonstration in Paris commenced with a gathering at Place du Panthéon in the 5th arrondissement, with participants marching towards the Hôtel des Invalides, located near the Ministry of Health in the 7th arrondissement. Organizers anticipate a substantial turnout as doctors voice their opposition to the proposed budget and its perceived impact on the French healthcare system.