France announced Tuesday that it will expand access to sustainable menstrual products by reimbursing reusable cups and underwear for eligible young women and low-income groups. The move, aimed at tackling period poverty, is expected to benefit millions once implemented through the country’s social security system from the upcoming academic year.

Issued on: 17/04/2026 - 01:37Modified: 17/04/2026 - 07:33

France's social security is to reimburse the cost of reusable menstrual cups and underwear for women under the age of 26 or battling poverty, the government said Thursday.

The move to tackle period poverty is expected to help 6.7 million people – almost a tenth of France's population of 69 million – from the start of the next academic year in the autumn, it says.

Women under 26 with a state health insurance card, as well as women of all ages who benefit from special healthcare support due to their limited income, will be able to get their money back after buying these products in a pharmacy.

Parliament approved the measure as part of the country's social security budget for 2024.

But there was no decree to order implementation, causing anger among feminist groups and companies making the sustainable sanitary items.

A survey of 4,000 women in France in November showed one in ten used alternatives to mainstream period products such as ripped up clothes due to tight budgets, according to French charity Dons Solidaires.

France in 2016 reduced sales tax on period products from 20 per cent to 5.5 per cent.

In 2020, Scotland became the first country in the world to sign into law free universal access to period products in public buildings.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Keywords for this article

The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.