Can I go out while on sick leave?
Yes, but under conditions. While on paid sick leave, you must in principle stay home, with mandatory presence hours: generally 9-11am and 2-4pm, including weekends and holidays. Outside these slots, going out is allowed, unless your doctor has ticked 'outings banned'. The doctor can also allow free outings (no time constraint) if medically justified. You can't leave your department without the CPAM's prior agreement. A check (medical adviser or employer) may verify compliance.
📋 The rules
- Mandatory presence at home: 9-11am and 2-4pm
- Outings allowed outside these hours (unless the doctor bans them)
- Free outings possible if the doctor ticked and justified it
- No leaving the department without CPAM agreement
- Check possible (medical adviser, employer)
🔓 Exceptions
- Free outings noted by the doctor: no imposed hours
- Care, medical exams, summonses: justified outings at any time
- Staying away from home: prior CPAM agreement needed
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Not respecting the presence hours, going out despite a ban or leaving the department without agreement can lead the CPAM to suspend the daily allowances, even seek their repayment. Carrying out an activity (work or not) incompatible with the leave is more serious and can be treated as fraud. On the employer side, a medical counter-visit can also suspend the salary top-up.
📎 Official sources
- Service-Public.fr · Sick leave: the employee's obligations →
- Ameli.fr · Your obligations during sick leave →
- Légifrance · Social Security Code (art. L323-6) →
❓ Frequently asked
Can you go out on sick leave?
Yes, outside the mandatory presence hours (generally 9-11am and 2-4pm), unless the doctor banned outings. The doctor can also allow free outings, with no time constraint, if medically justified.
What are the mandatory presence hours?
Generally 9-11am and 2-4pm, every day, including weekends and holidays. You must be reachable and present at home during these slots, except for care or medical exams.
Can you go on holiday or change address?
Not without the CPAM's prior agreement. Leaving your department during the leave needs the fund's authorisation. Leaving without agreement can suspend your daily allowances.
What's the risk of non-compliance?
Suspension, even repayment, of the daily allowances. Carrying out an activity incompatible with the leave can be treated as fraud. The employer can also, after a counter-visit, suspend the salary top-up.
Who can check on me?
The CPAM's medical adviser can run a check, and the employer can order a medical counter-visit at home. The check verifies the leave's reality and compliance with presence hours and outing conditions.
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