Operators of France’s private ambulances – which are mostly used for patient transport and non-emergency trips – have announced strike action in April in a long-running dispute about fees.
The largest union representing private ambulances has called a one-day strike on April 8th, saying that between 9am and 8pm, all ambulance transport will be unavailable.
The Chambre Nationale des Services d’Ambulances union announced that members will also be staging demonstrations, including using their vehicles to stage rolling roadblocks.
France has a large network of private ambulances, recognisable by their blue and white livery, which operate non-emergency patient transport such as taking hospital patients home at the end of their stay, or providing pre-arranged trips to a medical appointment for patients who are unable to drive or use public transport.
These ambulances are privately operated on a regional level, in contrast to the state-run SAMU and pompier services, which provide emergency medical treatment and, where appropriate, transport to the hospital.
Patients whose pre-booked trips are affected by the strike will be notified in advance.
“Across France, ambulance companies are operating at a loss, insolvencies are on the rise and closures are coming thick and fast,” said the union.
“In 2025, the number of business failures tripled (reaching 147) compared with the previous year.”
The operators say that reimbursement rates by the public health service are no longer enough to cover their costs. Separately, taxi drivers who also provide transport to medical appointments have been involved in a long-running dispute with the government over mileage rates.
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