Property tax rise
Property taxes on main and second homes are set to rise again this year, with the final
levels to be confirmed in April after local councils set their rates.
French property taxes are calculated using a property’s theoretical rental value called the VLC and a tax rate set by the council.
VLCs will increase by 3.9% across the board in 2024 but councils have until April 15 to agree their rates, based on budget requirements. They can raise or lower their rates.
Some have already decided, such as Saint-Etienne, which is raising its property tax rates by 15%.
Read more: Tax differences between main and second homes in France
Read more: Taxe foncière explainer: Who pays and the exemptions
Property owner form in 2024
All property owners must complete a Biens Immobiliers declaration by June 30, unless they did so last year and their use of their property has not changed.
The form can be accessed via your personal space on the French tax website.
A paper version will be available this year, with more details of this available shortly.
Read more: Who has to complete the new French property declaration in 2024?
New name for ANTS
The French administrative body Agence nationale des titres sécurisés (ANTS) is now to be known as France Titres.
The service is used, for example, to register a new vehicle, renew a French passport, apply for a driving test or change the address on a French passport or identity card.
It follows other name changes for national services including the new France Travail, which replaced Pôle Emploi at the beginning of the year.
Non-food discounts in shops
Non-food items on sale in shops now face the same restrictions as perishable goods on discounts and special offers after the introduction of a new law.
It means that products including those for personal hygiene, cleaning, beauty, and perfumes cannot be sold with more than a 34% discount. This is already the case for food items.
Livret A 3% rate
The 3% interest rate on France’s most popular state-regulated savings account – the Livret A – will be maintained until at least January 2025, France’s top administrative court has ruled.
This has been the government’s plan since 2023 but a law professor had appealed against it.
Under the usual rules the rate would be re-evaluated every six months using a formula based on the consumer price index, but it was frozen for 18 months last year.
The usual calculations would have seen a rate of 4.1% between August 2023 and January this year – not 3%.
Read more: 3% rate on France’s main regulated savings account to stay this year
Electric car aid reductions
Households with incomes of more than €15,400 per family quotient part from April 1 will receive a maximum of only €4,000 (down from €5,000) as a bonus to help buy or lease a low-polluting vehicle.
Those below this threshold can still receive up to €7,000.
For vans, the maximum amounts are €5,000 and €8,000, depending on income.
Read more: Explained: Electric vehicle grants, maintenance and charging in France
Airbnb camera ban
From April 30, all inside security cameras will be banned in Airbnb properties in France.
Previously, clearly visible security cameras were allowed in areas such as corridors and living rooms, as long as they were mentioned in the advert.
Outside cameras, including doorbell ones, are still allowed.
Read more: Home security cameras: what are the rules in France?
Driving licence swap
The traditional pink, three part French driving licence can now be swapped for a new credit card-format one.
The licence is still valid until January 19, 2033 but it is recommended to swap as soon as possible to avoid delays if there is a rush in the future.
The exchange is free and can be completed online via the ANTS (France Titres) website.
Read more: Driving: When do you need to swap foreign licence for French licence?
Bike aid extended
Subsidies for purchasing bicycles, electric or otherwise, have been extended until 2027
and now include second-hand bikes sold by a professional.
Read more: France extends bike aid scheme and adds second-hand bikes
Licence rule change
Holders of driving licences for automatic cars no longer need to wait three months to take a seven-hour training course to be able to switch to a manual gearbox licence – they can now do so immediately.
You will not need to wait for your licence to be reissued before you can drive a manual car – your automatic licence and the attestation from the training centre will suffice.
Read more: French driving licences: how to check if you have any points
Read more: Driving: When do you need to swap foreign licence for French licence?
Tobacco price rise
The price of tobacco products increased in March for the second month in a row, by between 50 and 75 cents. The price hike includes packets of Lucky Strike, Rothmans and Winfield Reds.
Tool to check your health insurance policy
Consumer body UFC-Que Choisir has launched a new comparison tool for people to use to find out what mutuelle (top up health insurance) policies offer the best value for their needs. You can find it here.
New schools listings
It is now possible to search lycées and collèges to see their 2023 success rates, including the Bac results and how many children obtain a mention.
Read more: New list allows you to search French lycées by 2023 exam results
Report crimes online
Victims of certain crimes, including theft, property damage and fraud, will soon be able to lodge a complaint without going to a police station.
The government has announced that Visioplainte, an online system available up to now only in Sarthe and some towns in Yvelines, will be extended across the country.
Victims can connect to the free service from their homes and set a meeting time with an online agent to record their complaint.
Read more: How to make a police complaint by video link from your home in France
