What changes in France in December

Gas prices
Regulated gas prices in France have risen for the second month in a row, this time by 0.6%. It followed November's average 3% increase after months of price drops.

The increase works out at 0.1% for customers who use gas solely for cooking, 0.3% for those who use it for cooking and hot water, and 0.6% for homes that have gas central heating.

TER timetables
It may seem moot, with the nationwide rail strike starting on December 5, but from December 15, regional train (TER) timetables are changing. The amendments vary region by region, but in Hauts-de-France for example, it means 80 more TERs will be running daily, assuming services operate as scheduled.

Tax declarations
If you made a mistake or forgot to mention something in your online income declaration this year you have just a few days left to rectify this simply via your online account. Taxpayers can modify income levels, tax reductions and credits or the audiovisual licence by logging on to impots.gouv.fr and clicking on the Corriger / Ma déclaration en ligne link in your personal account until midnight on December 17.

Meanwhile, taxpayers who wish to make changes to their income tax rate this year can do so until December 7. And there's still time to make changes to the outgoing taxe d'habitation declarations on your personal account - until December 15.

Many property owners may have seen a rise in their taxe foncière bill this year. You have until December 31 to file a challenge to the increase - but you can only do so if you believe a mistake has been made.

Electric bikes
Since December 1, anyone living in Île-de-France region has been eligible for a €500 discount if they buy an electric bike, under a schem that was due to launch in February 2020 but has been fast-tracked.