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.

The SUD-Rail union called for strike action from inspectors to intensify between May 7 and May 11, leading many to expect 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.

Despite fears that a combination of the two strikes could lead to a ‘black week’ for rail travel, with train travel being severely impacted and potentially cancelled, disruption seems minimal. 

At the start of the main period of strike action (May 5), no high-speed services were affected, with only regional TER trains facing disruption. 

Some TGVs may be affected between May 9 and 11, but the SNCF believes all passengers will be able to take train to their destination on the intended day of travel.

 Read more:  TGVs, local trains: What is expected impact of French rail strikes in May?

Public sector workerss (airports, schools, hospitals, administrations) - May 13 and 15 

A call for public sector workers across France to walk out on Tuesday May 13 and May 15 will cause disruption in several sectors.

This includes travel, with regional airports in the south of France seeing cancellations on May 13. 

Public services are also facing delays, although disruption is minimal in the education and health sectors. 

Read more: Several French airports hit by public sector worker strike today

Lidl employees - May 15 onwards 

Four major unions are calling for an unlimited strike by employees at Lidl over degrading work conditions, including mandatory Sunday and public holiday shifts.

Employees are being urged to strike on Thursday - Sunday throughout the action. There is no scheduled end date, meaning it is unclear how long strikes will last. 

The supermarket chain may see disruption on the affected days, leading to fewer staff working and potentially even stores being closed.

Read more: Lidl supermarket workers in France to strike on Thursdays - Sundays

Farmers - May 26 onwards

Several farmers unions are planning major protests from Monday May 26 onwards, as debates on a controversial farming bill begin in the Assemblée nationale. 

Farmers are in favour of the bill - which would cut back on regulations in areas such as pesticide usage and factory farming - but have been angered over several amendments included by parliamentary commissions.

They are expected to block roads - including around the capital - and converge on town halls in agricultural vehicles.

Read more: French farmers threaten roadblocks and other protest action at end of May