Reimbursed Period Underwear: Eligibility Criteria Starting October 2026

Starting October 1, 2026, reimbursement for reusable menstrual protections will finally become a reality. The measure will apply to people under 26 and to recipients of the Complémentaire Santé Solidaire, or C2S.

Attention toutefois : toutes les culottes menstruelles vendues en pharmacie ne seront pas remboursées. Le dispositif repose sur des critères précis de sécurité, de composition et de référencement.

 

Who will be eligible for reimbursement of menstrual underwear?

Two categories of people will be able to benefit from this new coverage:

• insured individuals who have their periods and are under 26 years old, with no income condition;
• recipients of the Complémentaire Santé Solidaire, or C2S, with no age limit.

For those under 26, the reimbursement will therefore cover young people up to and including 25 years old. No minimum age is set by the texts.

The order that organizes the system was signed on August 6, 2026. It was published in the Official Journal on August 7. Its entry into force is set for October 1, 2026.(1)

What will be the amount of the reimbursement?

The level of coverage will depend on the insured person’s situation.

A 55–65% reimbursement for those under 26

For those under 26, the National Health Insurance will reimburse between 55% and 65% of the regulated rate. The remainder may potentially be covered by the complementary health insurance.

So the reimbursement will not automatically be full. It will be necessary to check the terms of one’s mutual insurance contract.

100% coverage with the C2S

Recipients of the Complémentaire Santé Solidaire will enjoy 100% coverage, with no age condition.

The decree also sets the maximum public sale prices:

• €19 including tax for a reusable period panty;
• €15.80 including tax for a menstrual cup.

These amounts also form the basis for reimbursement. An eligible panty cannot be sold for more than €19 under the scheme.(1)

Two menstrual protections reimbursed per year

Each beneficiary can obtain reimbursement for two products in total per annual period. It is therefore not two panties plus two cups.

The counter will start on the date of the first purchase. It will then renew on the same date each year.

For example, a first protection delivered on October 10, 2026 will open a period running through October 9, 2027. A new quota will be available starting October 10, 2027.

This precision is important: the calculation will not follow the calendar year.(2)

Which products will actually be reimbursable?

The reimbursement will be limited to two categories:

• reusable menstrual underwear;
• reusable menstrual cups.

Disposable sanitary pads, tampons, disposable pads, panty liners and menstrual discs will remain excluded.

Strict criteria for menstrual underwear

To be listed, a panty must have at least three layers. The skin-contact layer must particularly be made of organic cotton or lyocell.

The entire product must be certified Oeko-Tex Standard 100, class I or II. Real-world gynecological and dermatological tests will also be required.

Absorption capacity must exceed 12 ml. Each manufacturer must offer at least one 20 ml absorbing model. Durability must be tested after at least 52 wash cycles.

Finally, a range of at least eight sizes must be available, including a size suitable for teenagers.

Healthcare requirements for menstrual cups

Cups must be entirely made of platinum-cured medical silicone or medical-grade thermoplastic elastomer.

Colorants, silver ions and other additives will be prohibited. The products must bear the European Ecolabel or have passed several biocompatibility tests.

Two sizes must be offered: one with a maximum capacity of 20 ml, and the other between 20 and 30 ml.

Will all period underwear sold in pharmacies be reimbursed?

No. Merely being sold in a pharmacy will not make a product eligible.

Each manufacturer must request listing. Each reference will then receive an individual identification code. These codes will be published by the relevant ministries and by the National Health Insurance.

As of August 10, 2026, the decree defines the categories, the technical criteria and the price ceilings. The full list of brands and references with an individual code remains to be monitored.

How to request reimbursement at the pharmacy?

From October 1 onward, the process should be straightforward:

1. go to a pharmacy;
2. request the underwear or cups listed among reimbursable references;
3. present your up-to-date Carte Vitale;
4. present, if necessary, your C2S entitlement attestation;
5. check the amount covered and any remaining balance.

No prescription should be required. Pharmacy distribution will be mandatory during a transitional period, at the latest until December 31, 2028.(2)

Two panties per year, is that really enough?

The two-product limit will help reduce upfront costs. It may, however, be insufficient to rely exclusively on period underwear.

A complete rotation generally requires several models. It allows switching protections according to flow and letting each panty dry properly after washing.

The Anses specifically emphasizes the importance of having several panties to rotate regularly.(3)

So the reimbursement can help start one’s kit or fill it in, but it will not necessarily fund all protections needed for a full cycle.

Panty or cup: which should you choose?

The menstrual panty is worn like underwear. It can be more reassuring for teenagers or people who prefer not to use internal protection.

The menstrual cup collects the flow inside the vagina. It is compact and can be used for many years, but it requires an adjustment period.

To limit the risk of toxic shock syndrome, Anses recommends not keeping an internal protection in place for more than six hours. It also advises against using a menstrual cup at night.(4)

In any case, always follow the instructions, care guidelines and wear-time recommendations.

A boost against menstrual poverty

This reimbursement should reduce the cost of access to reusable protections. Their purchase price remains often higher than that of disposable products.

Over several years, a cup or panties that are well maintained can become more economical. They also help reduce the amount of waste generated each month.

However, the scheme has several limits. People aged 26 or older will remain excluded if they do not qualify for C2S. Washable pads will not be reimbursed, and the quota is limited to two products.

It is therefore a concrete but partial step forward in the fight against menstrual poverty.