Hospital Fees in March 2026: What Changes for Patients

French hospital fees were revised on 1 March 2026. The forfait journalier hospitalier (daily fixed contribution) is set at EUR 20 per day in general medicine and surgery (EUR 15 in psychiatry). The outpatient participation forfaitaire rose to EUR 3 per consultation, capped at EUR 50 per year. Most of these costs are reimbursed by complementary health insurance (mutuelle) - except the EUR 3 forfait that is never reimbursed by complementary coverage.

> **Key takeaways**

> - Forfait journalier: EUR 20 / day (EUR 15 in psychiatry) from 1 March 2026.

> - Participation forfaitaire on medical acts: EUR 3 each, EUR 50 annual cap.

> - Long-stay daily fee: EUR 20 / day, possibly reduced for ALD patients.

> - Mutuelle generally covers the forfait journalier - never the EUR 3 forfait.

> - Pediatric stays, maternity and ALD have specific exemptions.

What are the hospital fees in 2026?

When you are admitted to a French hospital, two categories of out-of-pocket charges typically apply:

The **forfait journalier hospitalier**, a daily fee that covers basic non-medical costs (accommodation, meals). Set by the government via a finance-law decree, it stands at EUR 20 per day in general medicine and surgery and EUR 15 per day in psychiatry from 1 March 2026, per the Direction de la Securite sociale.
The **ticket moderateur**, your statutory share of the medical fees (typically 20 percent in hospital settings), unless you are 100 percent covered (ALD, maternity from the 6th month, work accident).

A third item, the **participation forfaitaire** of EUR 3 per consultation, biological exam or imaging act (EUR 50 annual cap per person), is charged separately. It was raised from EUR 2 to EUR 3 in 2026.

What stays free or fully covered?

Maternity from the 6th month of pregnancy and 12 days post-delivery.
Children under 30 days at birth.
Patients in *affection de longue duree (ALD)* recognised by the assurance maladie (full coverage for the related care).
Beneficiaries of the *Complementaire sante solidaire (CSS)*.
Work-accident and occupational-disease patients.

The exhaustive list is available on ameli.fr.

How mutuelle complementary insurance fits in

The forfait journalier is generally fully reimbursed by all *responsable* mutuelles (contracts respecting the social-security framework), with no time limit since 2009. The ticket moderateur of the medical fees is also typically reimbursed up to 100 percent of the regulated tariff by responsable contracts.

The EUR 3 participation forfaitaire, by contrast, is by law never reimbursed by a complementary health contract - it is intended as a small direct contribution by every insured person. Same rule for the EUR 1 franchise on medicines and EUR 2 on transport, capped at EUR 50 per year together with the forfait of EUR 3.

For details on contracts, see the Assurance Maladie portal on ameli.fr and the Service-Public.fr health insurance page.

Out-of-pocket caps

Several mechanisms protect insured persons against excessive out-of-pocket payments:

The **EUR 50 / year cap** on the EUR 3 and EUR 1 forfaits and franchises (per beneficiary).
The **complementary sante solidaire (CSS)**, free or paying depending on income, that covers most remaining costs.
The **ALD** regime, which removes the ticket moderateur for the affection itself.
The **dispositif tiers-payant**, allowing you to avoid advancing fees in hospital, except for surcharges (chambre individuelle, telephone).

Other charges to watch

Optional services billed on top of the regulated tariffs:

Single room: roughly EUR 60 to EUR 110 per day depending on hospital - often reimbursed only up to a limit by your mutuelle.
Telephone and television: typically EUR 1 to EUR 5 per day, rarely covered.
Companion bed: free for parents of hospitalised children, otherwise EUR 10 to EUR 30 per day.

Ask the hospital admission office for the latest *tarification des services additionnels* before the stay.

Practical advice before a planned admission

Take your Carte Vitale (or ApCV mobile app), updated, plus your mutuelle card.
If a single room is desired, check the *prise en charge* level with your mutuelle in advance.
Bring your *ordonnance* (prescription) and a list of current medicines.
Ask the hospital for a *devis* if any expensive non-reimbursed acts are planned (e.g. costly prosthesis).

For broader 2026 healthcare changes, see our piece on the 100 percent sante 2026 wheelchair and wig reform, the DPE 2026 reform for housing and what changes in March 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the forfait journalier in 2026?

EUR 20 per day in general medicine and surgery, EUR 15 per day in psychiatry, from 1 March 2026 - set by ministerial decree.

Is the EUR 3 forfait reimbursed by a mutuelle?

No. By law, no complementary health contract can reimburse the participation forfaitaire on medical acts. The same applies to the EUR 1 franchise on medicines.

Is there an annual cap on the EUR 3 forfait?

Yes - EUR 50 per year per insured person, combined for participation forfaitaire and franchises (medicines, transport).

Are children exempt from the forfait journalier?

Newborns are exempt for the first 30 days, and a parent companion bed is free for hospitalised children. Older children are subject to the standard fees unless covered by ALD or CSS.

Does the mutuelle cover a single room?

Often partially - most contracts cover EUR 30 to EUR 80 per day. Check your contract's *garantie chambre particuliere* before requesting a single room.

Who decides on the forfait journalier amount?

The forfait journalier is set by ministerial decree following the annual social-security financing law (LFSS). The Service-Public.fr site posts the consolidated amount.

Sources

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. For your personal situation, please consult ameli.fr or your hospital admission office. Updated 28 May 2026.