10 changes for everyday life in France in 2025

Several key changes coming in 2025 include the end of copper internet cables, a reduction in electricity bills and the start to AI-integrated phones in France.

Internet 

1: Fibre: Some 200,000 households in 162 communes must switch to fibre, mobile or satellite internet by January 31, as old copper wires are replaced. 

Orange will deactivate landline connections on that date, meaning those who do not have fibre, 4G, 5G or satellite will be without a phone or internet connection. 

It will also deactivate 2G mobile phone connections on that date, with SFR and Bouygues Telecom to follow suit in 2026. 

Read more: How to save money on internet access in France

Electricity

2: Prices: Most French households – those on regulated tariffs or tariffs linked to them – will benefit from a 'significant reduction' in their electricity bills from February 1, says the Commission de régulation de l énergie. 

This is linked to falling market prices and is despite the fact that a tax on electricity consumption, which forms part of people’s bills, is set to rise by about 10% at the same time. 

Bills were reduced in 2022 when this tax was suspended in the midst of the energy crisis.

Off-peak electricity consumption hours are expected to change to better reflect seasonal variations in production and consumption.

3: Linky meters: Homeowners in France who refuse the installation of a Linky smart electricity meter are to start receiving extra charges from Enedis from January. They are currently installed in 90% of households.

Enedis is also set to step up checks on Linky meters to reduce fraud following the increase of ‘hacks’ to artificially reduce a household’s apparent consumption, so reducing bills. 

Communications

4: Letters: La Poste announced that prices for postage of letters and parcels will rise by 6.8% on January 1.

Lettres vertes will rise from €1.29 to €1.39 (+7.8%), international letters from €1.96 to €2.10 (+7.1%), a 20g registered letter from €5.36 to €5.74 (+7.1%), and the price for posting a parcel with Colissimo will rise 5.2% for individuals.

A stamp for a lettre verte cost €0.68 in 2015.

5: Sim cards: Bouygues says it will phase out its prepaid SIM card by June, while Free announced it will begin offering one, although it has not yet revealed the price or the timeline. 

6: AI-integrated iPhones will be available in France by April following the recent launch of Apple Intelligence in the US, which has been described as a “new era” by CEO Tim Cook. 

The US company said that Mac users in the EU can already take advantage of AI tools by switching devices to US English before downloading the macOS Sequoia 15.1 update.

Read more: AI to feature on French iPhones from April 2025

Property

7: Land clearance: From January 1, new occupants of properties that are concerned by mandatory undergrowth clearance rules will be informed of these requirements when they move in – both owners and renters. 

8: Prices: After two years of falling demand for property in France and sellers forced to lower prices, professionals believe the market will start to rise gently – though some areas could still see continuing slight drops early in the year.

As before, however, there are likely to be significant regional variations. 

Property is once again becoming more accessible, with plans to give back wider access to interest-free loans, and mortgage rates predicted to drop to around 3%, after they increased above 4% in 2024.

Other

9: Shops: US Chain Dunkin’ Donuts is to open in France after striking a franchise deal with fast food group QSRP – the first outlet will open in Paris. 

10: Tips: Residents will need a QR code to visit déchetteries (tips) in the Lot, and cut grass and dead leaves will be banned from council tips. 

This is said to be due to overuse of déchetteries by residents and an effort to reduce waste by local authorities.