1. Tax return changes possible from July 31
You will have until midnight on December 4 to inform the French tax authorities of any errors on your latest avis d’imposition (tax assessment).
You can correct the declaration for 2023 income (made this spring) via your personal space on the French tax site, once the service opens on July 31.
Once the changes have been accepted, you will receive a new, corrected avis.
Any repayments due should be credited to your bank account in July, scheduled to arrive on July 24 or July 31.
If you do not receive an expected refund (you will have been informed by email if you are set to receive one)) contact the tax officials.
2. No electricity bill hike
More than 22 million homes and businesses will not see an increase in electricity bills in August, contrary to expectations.
Fees charged by Enedis to other electricity providers for the use of the grid were set to rise by 4.8%, leading to a knock-on 1% rise in electricity bills for households.
The government decided to delay the measure to “ensure stability” for consumers.
Read more: Millions of French homes escape August electricity price rise
3. Changes to energy efficiency audits
Properties smaller than 40m² now have different assessment rules for energy audits (diagnostic de performance énergétique, or DPE).
This includes a new weighting coefficient for hot water production so smaller properties are not unfairly penalised in comparison to larger ones.
The aim is also to raise these properties out of F and G categories to help unblock the rental supply market, where homes that perform poorly are being incrementally banned.
4. Drugs withdrawn over efficiency concerns
Seven generic drugs have been withdrawn after a European medical review found they were not subject to sufficient checks into their effectiveness compared to the equivalent main brand.
They include certain batches of Laboratoire Almus France’s anti-diabetes medicine metformin, as well as some batches of Laboratoire Arrow’s anti-schizophrenia drug olanzapine and HIV medication nevirapine (search the drug name at ansm.sante.fr).
The batches are not considered dangerous and people with a stock at home can continue to take them.
More drugs may be concerned in the future, and the ones withdrawn may return to the market if producers submit new test data on their efficiency.
Read more: Seven medicines used in France withdrawn over irregularities
5. Contactless limit increased, but PIN still required
You can now make contactless payments for amounts of more than €50 after an update to regulations.
However, you will still have to enter a PIN number on the card reader you tap your card on for payments over this amount, even if you do not need to physically put your card into the machine.
If you do not wish to allow contactless payments, you can ask your bank to deactivate it.
Read more: Fraudsters target bank cards in your pocket in new scam in France
6. New agreements on motorcycle licence swaps
All UK motorcyclists swapping their licence following a move to France can now retain their right to ride large ‘category A’ vehicles following an agreement between French and UK authorities.
The issue mainly affected drivers who received their licence before 1974, when licences were digitised, and all categories received before this date on UK licences were marked as being obtained on the same day, which French authorities did not accept as authentic.
The changes can also be made retroactively for those who have switched from a UK to a French licence but lost their category ‘A’ licence.
Read more: UK motorcycle licence deal reached with French authorities
7. Energy cheques
If you have not received a chèque énergie, paid to several million lower-income households to help cover electricity and gas bills, and believe you are entitled to it, you can now apply at: chequeenergie2024.asp-public.fr.
To apply, you will need your avis d’imposition for 2022 income (submitted in 2023), a piece of ID, and an energy bill less than three months old, in a digital format.
If successful, you will receive it within a month.
8. Dengue fever alert
Around 90% of French departments are now on high alert for dengue fever.
The first native case of dengue fever – that is, when it is caught in France rather than brought back from abroad – in 2024 has been confirmed in Hérault.
Dengue fever is spread by tiger mosquitoes, now found in all French regions, biting an infected person and transmitting it to another in a bite.
Read more: ‘Native’ case of dengue fever in Hérault, first in France in 2024
9. Insurance tax rise
A 60 centimes rise in the so-called ‘attack’ tax on home and car insurance policies is set to come into force, increasing from €5.90 to €6.50 annually.
The money is used to compensate victims of terrorism via the Fonds de garantie des victimes des actes de terrorisme et d'autres infractions.
10. New ‘green’ savings account for under-21s
A new savings account for under-21s is available, which can be opened from birth. You can deposit up to €22,950 in the account (the same amount as in a Livret A) which cannot be taken out until the child reaches majority.
Called the Plan d’épargne avenir climat (PEAC), it encourages parents to set aside long-term savings for children and also helps fund low-carbon projects.
Read more: New French bank savings account for under-21s: rules and interest rate
11. Motorbike traffic experiment extended
A three-year experiment officially allowing motorcyclists to advance between queues of cars to avoid traffic has been extended to September 14.
The trial, which is being carried out in 21 departments, had been due to end in August, 2024.
It has, however, been halted in lanes reserved for the Olympics.
12. Instruments by rail
Large musical instruments are allowed on SNCF trains until September 8.
Normally banned due to their size, rules are being relaxed to make it easier for musicians to travel to festivals held around France this summer.
13. Interest on savings
The interest rate for LEPs (Livret d'épargne populaire, a tax-free regulated savings accounts for people on lower incomes) is 4% from August 1.
This is down on the previous 5% but is still almost double inflation (2.2%).
Interest on the Livret A tax-free savings account, open to any French resident, is still 3%, and will remain at this level until at least January 2025.
14. Unmarked radar cars in more locations
Unmarked cars are set to patrol more French regions in the coming months, monitoring drivers’ speeds with radars and using invisible infrared technology to flash drivers if speeding.
They will be deployed in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and Occitanie regions.
The new roll-out will mean that only Corsica and Ile-de-France will not be patrolled by these speed camera cars, but they are likely to be included in the coming years.
There are about 400 such cars at present, and it is estimated that each car brings in €194,000 per year for the state in fines.
