France is taking unprecedented steps to ready its civilian health system for the possibility of a large-scale military conflict, with the government instructing hospitals nationwide to prepare for the return of thousands of wounded soldiers by March 2026. The move, which has drawn widespread attention across Europe, comes amid mounting anxieties over regional security and a broader push to strengthen national resilience in the face of multiple threats.
According to reporting by Le Canard enchaîné and confirmed by outlets such as Euronews Health and Metro, the French Ministry of Health sent a letter on July 18, 2025, to regional health authorities. The message was clear: hospitals should brace for a potential "major engagement" and be ready to treat thousands of soldiers—both French and foreign—within a window of just 10 to 180 days should war break out. The directive sets a deadline of March 2026 for this heightened state of readiness.
Health Minister Catherine Vautrin, speaking to the French news channel BFMTV, explained, "It is perfectly normal for the country to anticipate crises and their consequences. This is part of anticipation, just like strategic stockpiling. I was not yet in office when Covid-19 broke out, but let's not forget that at the time we were at a loss for words to describe how unprepared the country was." Her remarks underscore the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, when many health systems around the world struggled to respond quickly and effectively to an unprecedented health emergency.
The government’s letter, first reported by Le Canard enchaîné, urges hospitals to be aware of "limitations in wartime" and to ensure that both French and foreign soldiers could be cared for if a major conflict were to erupt. The plans include not just hospital readiness, but also the establishment of medical centers near key transportation hubs—bus and train stations, airports, and ports—to facilitate the rapid movement and rerouting of wounded foreign soldiers back to their home countries.
While the French government has not specified any particular threat that prompted these measures, the timing has fueled speculation. Tensions have been rising between Russia and NATO-aligned nations, and many observers see France’s actions as part of a broader European effort to prepare for scenarios that, while unlikely, can no longer be dismissed as impossible. According to Metro, Europe is bracing for the possibility of a conflict on a scale not seen in generations, and France’s health system is being brought into the fold of national defense planning in ways not witnessed since the Cold War era.
But the government is adamant that these actions are not a response to any single adversary—certainly not Russian President Vladimir Putin. Instead, officials describe the moves as part of a comprehensive approach to risk management. A spokesperson for the health ministry told Euronews that its job is to prepare for a wide range of "threats that the health care system could face," including epidemics, environmental crises, and "malicious risks." This broad mandate is reflected in the ministry’s instructions to ensure that health professionals are ready to treat military patients in the civilian system if the need arises.
In addition to the hospital preparations, France has released a new 20-page survival guide, developed by the General Secretariat for Defence and National Security (SGDSN). The manual, which has been in the works since 2022, lists 63 measures citizens can take to protect themselves in the event of armed conflict, natural disasters, or other emergencies. It includes practical advice on stockpiling essentials such as water, canned food, batteries, and first aid kits. The guide even provides instructions for dealing with nuclear attacks and encourages citizens to consider joining local defense forces if called upon.
According to Metro, the release of the manual has sparked speculation about France’s motives, especially as it comes alongside a significant increase in defense spending. The country has raised its defense budget from 2% to between 3% and 3.5% of its economic output—a move widely interpreted as a response to the shifting security landscape in Europe. However, officials maintain that the survival guide and the hospital readiness measures are general preparedness efforts, not reactions to any immediate or specific threat.
Health Minister Vautrin emphasized the importance of learning from past crises. "This is part of anticipation, just like strategic stockpiling," she said, reiterating that the country’s previous lack of preparedness during the early days of the pandemic should not be repeated. The government’s approach now is to ensure that, whether the threat comes from war, a pandemic, or an environmental disaster, France’s hospitals and citizens will not be caught off guard.
The preparations are extensive and detailed. Hospitals have been told to plan for the possibility of treating thousands of soldiers over a period of up to six months. Medical staging areas are to be set up at key points of entry and exit—ports, airports, and major train and bus stations—to enable the rapid treatment and, if necessary, the repatriation of foreign soldiers. These measures are designed to prevent the civilian health system from being overwhelmed, as happened in some countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For many French citizens, the government’s actions are both reassuring and unsettling. On one hand, there is comfort in knowing that authorities are not leaving anything to chance. On the other, the very need for such preparations is a stark reminder of the volatile international environment and the unpredictable nature of modern threats. The survival guide’s advice—stock up on food and water, keep batteries and first aid kits handy—feels eerily reminiscent of Cold War-era civil defense drills, yet it is couched in the language of 21st-century resilience.
France’s approach is being closely watched by its European neighbors, some of whom are considering similar measures. The idea of integrating civilian health systems into national defense planning is gaining traction, especially as governments grapple with the lessons of the pandemic and the reality of an increasingly uncertain world.
For now, the French government insists that its plans are simply prudent risk management. "This is part of anticipation," Vautrin said, "just like strategic stockpiling." Whether or not these preparations will ever be put to the test, they represent a significant shift in how France—and perhaps Europe as a whole—thinks about security, resilience, and the role of the civilian sector in times of crisis.
