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The French marathon where runners eat cheese and drink wine along the route
The Olympics put the focus on serious sport, but the Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc in the south of the country is offering a little light relief
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Who can I appoint as my power of attorney in France
Antonia Ridley-Hughes of Ashtons Legal, answers a reader query
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Rules for medical certificates and sport in France
Rules are different for adults and children and were recently changed
New laws and changes in France: December 2020
Extension of help to buy scheme, fixed Bank fees for some and more - here is what is changing in France this month
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1. Help to buy
A scheme to help people on lower incomes buy newer, more environmentally-friendly cars has been extended. The scheme, which was due to end on January 1 and offers up to €7,000 for anyone buying a hybrid or electric vehicle, will now run until June 30.
The prime paid for scrapping an older vehicle for a new one will remain unchanged, though diesel hybrid cars will be excluded from January 1. 2:
2. Taxe d’habitation
For most households in France, taxe d’habitation is a thing of the past.
For some who still have to pay it, such as many second home owners, the deadline for physical payments to be paid is December 15.
Online payments must be made by midnight on December 20 – accounts will be debited on December 28. Payment by mobile phone has the same December 20 deadline, as long as the QR code on notices has been flashed and registered by December 1. Notices arrived in mid-November.
3. Bank fees fixed
Vulnerable clients have had bank fees capped at €25 for three months, or €20 if they use a “vulnerable client” offer from their bank.
Customers will be considered vulnerable in certain circumstances, listed on the government’s service public site.
4. Trêve hivernale
Winter laws ensuring renters’ rights during cold weather began – as always – on November 1. Tenants cannot be evicted until March 31, 2021, except:
- If the home is subject to an arrêté de péril, meaning it is dangerous to live in;
- If the eviction is the result of a rehoming organised to better correspond to a renting family’s needs;
- If the home is occupied by squatters. During this period, gas and electricity suppliers cannot cut services.
Dates for your diary
December 19 Schools, collèges and lycées close for the Christmas holidays. Reopen: Monday, January 4, 2021.
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