Money

Money, inheritance, tax, pensions: What's new in France in 2025

European Commission set to decide on French law affecting UK and US wills, potentially altering inheritance plans

Bitcoin crossed €100k – how are cryptocurrency gains taxed in France?

New European regulations on cryptocurrency come into effect this month

Deadline to apply to 2024 French energy aid could be extended – who is eligible and how to apply

Aid can be up to €277 and more than a million households have yet to claim

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Fines levied for failure to declare bank accounts held out of France

Hefty fines can be issued for each account undeclared to tax authorities

Deals available on new electric cars as France’s state bonus set to end

Thousands of euros of discounts are available for many popular 100% electric models

Confirmed: France’s minimum wage will not automatically rise on January 1

Recent increase placed ‘Smic’ above expected inflation levels at the start of the new year

Rise in number of French businesses failing

It means 44,000 jobs will be lost by end of year. We look at what help is available for small business owners

France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?

The country will effectively be without a budget from 2025, with knock-on effects for individuals and companies

Cash, cheque, bank cards: what payment types can a shop legally refuse in France?

There are clear rules on how, when and why businesses can refuse to accept payment

Rules relaxed for French salary-savings scheme

Changes mean workers will be able to get hold of funds in more circumstances

GPs and specialists: List of new fees starting December 2024 in France

Fees will rise for consultations, firstly later this month, and again in July 2025

Pay to park by income: Where in France and how does it work?

Rennes is the most recent city to introduce the system

Can France’s prime d’activité benefit boost income of self-employed?

New ‘help’ service also promises assistance to those with low means

Inheritance alternatives for non-blood relatives in France

Robert Kent of Kentingtons explains the various options alongside traditional inheritance

Extra fees start soon for French homes without Linky smart electricity meter

The meters were first introduced in 2018 but have attracted controversy

Why parking fines in France are now more likely to be cancelled

It comes after France’s highest administrative court found in a driver’s favour

What is ideal calendar donation for French firefighters and postal workers?

There is no set price for the calendars, which are sold in workers’ spare time

Are old euro banknotes still valid in France?

A new series intended to be harder to counterfeit began circulating in 2013

Widespread Linky electricity meter checks on way across France

Enedis is cracking down on ‘illegal hacks’ that have cost €250m in electricity fraud since 2022

Why bank cards are changing in France

The new payment systems aim to make it easier to shop online and to fight fraud

French health minister proposes lower reimbursement of medicine

Patients (or their top-up insurance) will need to pay more if the proposal goes ahead

Where are you paid the most in France (out of Paris)?

A new ranking looks at pay differences and includes an average hourly rate for white- and blue-collar workers by department

Major French bank hits overseas clients with ‘admin fees’ of up to €300 a year

Many second-home owners in the UK and US are affected

What would it mean for France if the euro is weaker than the US dollar?

The exchange rate is at levels not seen since 2022 since the re-election of Donald Trump

Small increase in notaire fees for property buyers expected in France

The fee is expected to generate revenue of €30 million a year to fight against coastal erosion

Taxes, forced heirship and property ownership: Understanding French succession law

Rob Kay, a senior partner at Blevins Franks financial advice group, looks at estate planning

France's 'Livret A' savings rate set to drop

With a predicted decrease to 2.6%, experts question the viability of France's favourite tax-free savings account

How much do people in France spend on Christmas on average?

The Christmas meal and gifts are the largest expenses, with almost 50% worried about cost

Free data leak: is it possible to change French bank account number?

There are different numbers associated with your bank account

When does Black Friday start in France and which shops participate?

The American shopping phenomenon is well and truly part of the French retail calendar

Third online bank to close amid competitive market in France

'Ma French Bank' only opened in 2019. We look at what customers need to do

French parliament approves law to raise taxes on ‘super-dividends’

The tax will apply to companies with €1 billion in sales or more, such as BNP Paribas, Sanofi, LVMH, and Total

Scam email alert for clients of three leading French banks

Fraudsters link to bank’s genuine website at some points, making scam look legitimate

Driver discovers she is subscribed to insurance as she pays French parking fee

She said she had never asked for or wanted the insurance and had to right to be refunded

20 million Free clients subject to data leak: what victims should do

Some customers should inform their bank after information stolen

Does working on a bank holiday in France impact pay?

The company, sector, and collective staff agreements can all affect workers’ entitlement

Heated French budget examination to resume next week

It comes after MPs adjourned after six days of debate at the weekend

Mystery lottery winner of €1m in French Alps has until Friday to claim

The winner has still not come forward, almost two months after their win

What is ‘TIN’ number French bank is requesting?

It is related to taxation, and not social security

How to sell your jewellery or gold in France

The sale of gold is highly regulated in France. We give tips to make the most of the booming market

What people in France earn and own - new official figures

Statistics show households’ ‘gross wealth’ and the effect of inheritance and property

French property and tax: 7 common questions

Rob Kay, Senior Partner at Blevins Franks, reviews costs, taxes, and estate planning for UK nationals

Step-children: French MPs favour new €31,865 gift tax allowance

Amendment also calls to lighten tax on siblings, nephews and nieces - but to tax wealthy direct heirs more

People in France giving more to charity in 2024

The most popular causes are medical research and animal protection

‘Round up’ banking enables people in France to save without realising

The method is seen as a way for shoppers who might normally struggle to save to build up extra cash

French MPs reinforce new budget’s tax rises for wealthy

Three-year limit on tax increases removed, paving way for permanent increase

Property tax deadline is extended in France after website crashes

Thousands logged on simultaneously to pay their taxe foncière bill just before midnight deadline

Inheritance in France: Can lodging a child for low rent cause issues?

The French supreme court has overturned a decision by the court of appeal on what constitutes a ‘gift’ by a parent

Investing in France in an inflationary environment needs much thought

Christopher Davenport of Kentingtons looks at France's exceptional inflation levels in 2022, and whether it is set to become the norm

ATM and parking scam cost British driver €1,000 in south-east France

She was approached by a 'helpful' young man who used a distraction technique to steal her card

Explained: 2024 inheritance tax for family members in France

Any bill also depends on the amount left and the nature of the assets

Var resident leaves €2.5m to his commune - on one condition

The man passed away at the age of 95

Retiree relieved as €160,000 bill from French state is cancelled

The woman was accused of receiving a salary and a pension at the same time

Income tax: the new bands in France for 2025 after revision

The thresholds for 2024 income have been adjusted for inflation

French banks begin to use Wero - the EU rival to Apple Pay

The new payment system is launching for clients at some French banks in October

What to do if you cannot pay a tax bill in France

Options for an extension, or a full rebate, exist

Pension freeze to affect 14 million people in France: who and why

It is estimated that a six-month delay will save the state more than €4 billion by 2025

Is a partial French pension available for working some years in the country?

Pension amounts depend on criteria including how long you worked in France, and your salary

Proposed tax rises on well-off in France: who is deemed wealthy?

The PM is considering several options to raise the billions needed to address the country’s deficit

New telephone law aims to reduce bank fraud in France

The new measures are intended to make official numbers ‘tamper proof’

Feedback: Americans compare cost of living in US to prices in France

The number of US citizens moving to France has tripled since the pandemic

Is it better for partners to have a joint bank account in France?

There are rules to consider about who owns the funds and what happens if the couple separates

Two million over-60s live on less than €1,216 a month in France

Those who live alone are the most affected, says new study

French inheritance tax: current rules and what reforms are proposed

France’s Cour des comptes says a tightening of the financial tools used by some for tax reduction alongside a lowering of rates could create a more balanced system

Visualise: Data on workers’ sick-leave days in France

Sick-leave is costing more and more each year, with authorities keen to reduce strain on healthcare budget

French department trials ‘income scheme’ for young people

The scheme is aiming to help those who do not qualify for any other support

Overdraft fees, pay, ecology: three French banks criticised in new report

Three major banks scored poorly on social and environmental factors including investing in tax havens and deforestation projects, and large staff pay gaps