The measure applies to nearly 38 million insured persons covered by mutual insurers, provident institutions, and private health insurers. These policies cover healthcare costs not reimbursed by the statutory health insurance system.
The objective of the freeze is to protect household purchasing power at a time when complementary health insurance premiums have risen sharply over recent years. Over the past three years alone, cumulative premium increases have approached 25%.
However, the measure has sparked strong resistance from insurers, who argue that it threatens the financial equilibrium of the sector and infringes fundamental economic freedoms.
The price freeze is inseparable from another controversial provision of the 2026 social security budget: the introduction of an exceptional contribution of approximately €1 billion levied on complementary health insurers. The aim is to contribute to restoring social security finances without directly increasing statutory health insurance contributions or taxes on households.
To prevent insurers from mechanically passing this tax on to policyholders, Article 13 of the Loi de financement de la sécurité sociale explicitly prohibits any increase in complementary health insurance premiums in 2026 compared with their 2025 levels.
Although the Constitutional Council validated the measure in December 2025, insurers and mutual insurance federations have been vocal in their opposition, arguing that it is incompatible with existing regulatory frameworks governing solvency and financial balance.
Several organisations have also criticised the timing of the decision, noting that many insurers had already calculated, approved, and communicated their 2026 tariffs before the law was definitively adopted. They argue that the freeze has a de facto retroactive effect, creating legal and operational uncertainty.
Behind the scenes, insurers are reportedly coordinating common lines of response to policyholders and preparing potential legal challenges.
On the consumer side, consumer organisations have urged policyholders who notice an increase to contact their insurer requesting immediate correction and adjustment of payment schedules.
However, experts caution against withholding payment as a form of protest. Suspending contributions may lead to suspension of coverage or recovery proceedings by insurers. Any dispute should be pursued through formal written correspondence, without interrupting payments.
Regardless of the outcome, most analysts agree on one point: if the freeze is strictly applied in 2026, many experts anticipate a significant “catch-up” increase in premiums as early as 2027.
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