Since 1st July, maternity leave for self-employed women has increased from 12 to 15 weeks for those who wish it. If they want, they can now benefit from the same leave duration as employees.
Previously, self-employed women had the possibility of taking a maximum of 12 weeks of maternity leave and receiving 105 service vouchers.
The Minister for the Self-Employed, Eléonore SIMONET, has decided to extend this period by 3 weeks, on an optional basis, and, regarding the granting of service vouchers, the method used is as follows:
- a 3-week extension of maternity leave if the self-employed worker does not make use of the 105 service vouchers
- a 2-week extension of maternity leave if the self-employed worker uses 35 service vouchers
- a 1-week extension of maternity leave if the self-employed worker uses 70 service vouchers
Eléonore SIMONET: "This is about removing an unequal treatment between an employed mother and a self-employed mother. Because a mother is a mother, a baby is a baby, and a child should not have to suffer because of their parents' status. Even if they don't take the 15 weeks, I want them to have the choice to do so or not. "
The measure, which is part of the Minister's SME Plan, came into force on 1st July 2026 for any maternity leave starting from that date.