The system for mandatory childhood medical examinations in France is changing from the start of 2025, marking a significant shift in how children’s health is monitored from birth to the age of 16.
Currently, children in France undergo 14 required medical examinations within their first three years of life. This will be reduced to 13 under new guidelines set out by the French government, which will come into effect on 1st January.
The examination to be excluded is typically conducted between the third week and the end of the first month of a newborn’s life. Instead, the early check-ups will focus on the first few weeks and months, with assessments taking place within the first eight days after birth, during the second week, and then monthly from the second to the fourth months. Health authorities believe this revised schedule will continue to provide sufficient coverage of critical developmental milestones.
In addition to the adjustments in early childhood, the new regulations introduce an extra examination for children during their seventh year. This brings the total number of check-ups between ages seven and 16 to four, compared to the current three.
These later assessments are designed to address the increasingly complex health needs of school-aged children and teens, focusing not just on physical health but also on mental well-being. Doctors will now screen for conditions such as anxiety and depression during these visits—a state-level recognition of the importance of mental health in a child’s overall development.
Each mandatory examination will provide a comprehensive evaluation of a child’s physical and psychological development and see healthcare professionals assess growth charts, psychomotor skills such as walking and grasping, and psycho-affective development, while also reviewing vaccination records to ensure they are up to date.
Parents and guardians play a crucial role in ensuring children attend these mandatory appointments. By law, they are required to present their child for these examinations, which can be conducted by the child’s regular doctor or another qualified physician of their choice. Importantly, these check-ups are fully reimbursed by health insurance, with no upfront payment required, except in cases where fees exceed standard rates.
These changes reflect a more targeted approach to children’s healthcare, balancing the need for close monitoring in infancy with increased attention to the later stages of childhood. By adapting the schedule, health authorities aim to provide a more effective framework for ensuring children’s health and well-being as they grow.
For more information on these changes, click here.
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