Strikes in France in May 2025 and how you may be impacted

Major strike action threatens France in two key sectors in May, with doctors and rail workers set to take part in industrial action. 

Below, we review strikes taking place this month and aim to provide updates if new strikes are called or there is more information on current action. 

Doctors – May 1 onwards 

Doctors are striking over a proposal that would see newly-trained doctors limited as to where they can open a new surgery, as MPs look to address ‘medical deserts’. 

Under the proposals new doctors would only be able to open a surgery in areas with a medical professional shortage. In areas with a sufficient level of healthcare professionals, under new rules this would only be allowed when a current doctor retires.

Several unions supporting independent doctors and healthcare professionals have called on members to strike in solidarity with young doctors, leading to the closure of several medical cabinets so far this week.

This includes GP cabinets and other specialist offices.

Strike action began on April 28, and in many cases is ‘unlimited’, meaning there is no official end date in strike and practitioners will close their practice as they wish as part of the strike action. 

The strike may last well into May with the bill expected to be further debated this month, with MPs voting on it once more. 

Depending on the outcome of the bill, strike action could continue and even increase in intensity. 

Urgent medical care is likely to be unaffected during the strike (as striking surgeons will continue to conduct important operations), however standard and lower-level appointments may be harder to come by or cancelled completely. 

Rail workers - May onwards (particularly May 5 - 11) 

Separate rail strikes are set to cause havoc in France, particularly for the May 8 public holiday and subsequent weekend. 

Ticket inspectors began a strike in mid-April that is ongoing until June 2 although disruption has so far been minimal.

Read more: May will be difficult month for train travel in France, warns minister

However, the SUD-Rail union had called for strike action from inspectors to intensify between May 7 and May 11, leading to expected delays and cancellations.

Major unions have also called on drivers to strike on May 7 over work, pay, and retirement conditions. 

The CGT has expanded the call, asking workers under its wing to strike from May 5.

The combination of the two strikes could lead to a ‘black week’ for rail travel, with train travel being severely impacted and potentially cancelled.

The exact level of disruption is not yet known, but it is likely to impact major national routes. 

There is still a chance the strikes will be called off as negotiations are continuing.