Laws

LIST: what was kept and what was rejected in French immigration law

Conseil constitutionnel rejected a third of items including an ‘automatic visa’ plan for Britons owning second homes - but approved increasing the level of French needed for certain residency cards

Are people being fined over France’s new obligatory food waste rules?

The new rules came into force on January 1

When will universal phone and tablet charger be obligatory in France?

New electronic devices will have the same charging port, meaning one cable can charge all

news

What happens next for law to ease second-home visits to France?

France’s immigration law, including help for British second-home owners, is been voted definitively but a few steps remain

Weird French laws that are still technically valid in France

Did you know all these things that you are not supposed to do in France?

French state faces legal action for not protecting people from hunters

Two associations say that the ‘unprecedented’ case is calling for no-hunt days and claims that 70% of people in France ‘do not feel safe’ during hunting season

I have a second home in France, what should I do if squatters get in?

We look at how you can help prevent squatters, and what you should do if they still take over your property

Introducing euthanasia in France would be dangerous, say senators

In a report seen as a warning to the government, they also said assisted suicide would be an inappropriate response

How seeing a GP (or rather not) for some issues is changing in France

The legislation aims to make it easier for patients to access certain health professionals without having to get a referral from their doctor first

French privacy: Can I stop someone from taking a photo of my property?

Situations vary, but in some cases photographing a person’s property can be severely punished by law

New law ‘will improve access to healthcare’ in France

MPs in France recently approved a bill which will allow patients to see certain nurses and specialists without being referred by a GP

Noisy neighbours in France: How can I stop a dog barking incessantly?

We look at the law around noise complaints and tell you who to contact to take further action

France’s draft anti-squatter law: If passed, what would it change?

The plans aim to make it easier to evict non-paying tenants and squatters. They would also apply to second homes

I have dual nationality so will French inheritance law be imposed?

We look at whether or not people who have obtained French citizenship can still make use of an EU rule on choice of law

Franco-British man shot by hunter: anger over ‘lenient’ sentence

A friend of victim of accidental killing says hunt organiser should have been given a lifetime ban

How does new UK civil partnership affect rights to my French property?

A reader asks about the rights she and her partner now have over her existing second home

Minimum book delivery fee in France expected to be fixed at €3

Fee for purchases of more than €35 would drop down to one centime, the current status quo, often used by sellers such as Amazon

Incest in France: new report does not call for full ban

The government has been advised, however, to pass a law introducing the automatic removal of parental authority from parents committing incest

French law on contrôles techniques for motorbikes and mopeds repealed

The decree would have imposed the requirement from January 1. Environmental groups ask for an earlier start date, motorbiker groups are against the idea

France bans pesticide use in more places, including private residences

The new decree extends the ban to sites including allotments, hotel gardens, amusement parks, healthcare establishments and campsites

Plan for '2-for-1' deals in French supermarkets axed after backlash

Producers reacted negatively to a suggestion from the Economy Ministry that the deals could help with rising costs

Abad leaves, Schiappa returns… meet France’s reshuffled new ministers

Bruno Le Maire and Gérald Darmanin retain their posts but others including Disability and Solidarity Minister Damien Abad, accused of attempted rape, are out

Laws, national defence: what is the role of the French prime minister?

Élisabeth Borne has just been named head of government. We look at what her duties will be and how her job differs from the president’s

French cancer expertise will help Europe’s fight against the disease

However, an inconsistent approach to tobacco and alcohol consumption across Europe threatens to hold up progress

No court case yet over law impacting some foreign law wills in France

Lawyers expect a challenge to new rule which gives forced heirship rights to children where a foreign legal system was chosen to apply to the will

Who can I complain to about ugly, illegal advertising boards?

Ugly billboards are still in place at the entrance to my town despite new laws. Can we take action? MP

Does law ban dogs from restaurants and cafés?

We went to a café and were told by the owner that there is a law that now prohibits dogs from restaurants (even outside) and anywhere food is being served. If the establishment is found to have allowed dogs in they will be fined €250. Is this true? S.E.

What can we do about our neighbour's deafening woodcutter?

When a neighbour situation goes above and beyond 'normal' behaviour, it is best to make contact informally but legal steps can be taken

Campervans with trailers: are there special French rules for over 70s?

A campervan driver with a French driving licence seeks advice on what weight of trailer he can tow and if there are any extra rules related to age

Rules for cutting your lawn in France on public holidays and Sundays

There is a reason you do not hear the permanent background drone of lawnmowers and hedge trimmers - and what to do if your neighbour does not respect the rules

Can I walk my dog on hunting land in France?

There are a few national rules to bear in mind when dog walking in France and specific local rules may also apply

Do ‘trade descriptions’ laws exist against selling items under weight?

The general principle is that the quantity sold should be at least equal to that advertised and the legal tolerances are higher for items sold in small quantities than for larger volumes

Am I allowed to wash my car on the street outside my house in France?

A little-known French environmental law prohibits residents from cleaning their car while it is parked on a street, and those who ignore it could theoretically be fined

Is my French car insurance invalidated if I don’t have snow tyres?

In certain areas of France, all vehicles must be fitted with snow tyres or chains from this month until the end of March

French heat pump firm fined €460,000 for home cold calling despite ban

Almatys called hundreds of thousands of households, ignoring a 2020 law which prohibits this practice

French MP proposes law to give 16-year-olds right to vote and drive

The idea of extending the voting age has long been backed by left-wing politicians in France, but some see this latest move as ‘political opportunism’ aimed at attracting young voters to the governing party ahead of next year’s presidential elections

Eight changes for residents in France from October 2021

October brings changing clocks, new rules for travel from France to the UK, and changes for workers and jobseekers, as well as an extension to the deadline for holding Brexit Withdrawal Agreement residency cards

France debates whether to impose minimum book cost delivery

If passed, the law would be intended to help independent bookshops compete against the low-to-free delivery prices offered by retail giants such as Amazon and Fnac

One-year grace period granted over mandatory winter tyres in France

Drivers without snow tyres or chains will not be punished this year despite the tyres becoming a legal requirement on many roads from November 1

Landowner in France left with €40,000 costs after squatters evicted

Multiple families occupied the site in Nantes for more than a year before leaving in August. We look at new laws around squatting in France and what to do if it happens to you

Growers in France say EU’s labelling plans may destroy lavender fields

Under the draft EU regulation, the 600-plus chemical molecules found in lavender could be potentially relabelled as dangerous, threatening the future of the industry

Nice, Cannes and nearby towns bring in Crit'Air pollution car stickers

Six communes of the Alpes-Maritimes join other parts of the country imposing traffic restrictions based on mandatory Crit'Air certificates for all vehicles

CCTV trial in French town issues 1,700 parking fines in six months

‘Vidéo-verbalisation’ was launched to crack down on problem parking in Tours and allows more traffic offences to be punished with parking attendants working remotely

Priest murder case: What is a 'leave France' OQTF order?

A man suspected of murdering a priest in west France earlier this week had previously been asked to leave the country three times via an Obligation de quitter la France (OQTF) order. We explain.

Animal rights group's bid to ban bullfighting in south of France fails

Judges said the practice was cruel but there is enough local interest to justify continuing the 100-year-old tradition

France approves bill to extend Covid health pass but with changes

Date to be set on August 5 for the new rules to become law. Changes to the bill include order that workers in certain jobs will be suspended without pay – not sacked – if they do not get vaccinated

French champagne makers call for Russia boycott over new wine law

Trade body demands European action after Vladimir Putin signs law restricting use of the ‘champagne’ label to Russian sparkling wines

France plans new laws for people who donate their body to science

The current system is under regulated, says an MP. It comes after a Paris university was found to be storing corpses in ‘improper conditions’

What are the rules in France for carrying bicycles on the car roof?

There are strict rules and certain standards that have to be met for transporting cycles outside cars in France

TV viewers in France sue Canal Plus for refund over forced upgrade

Consumer association brings legal action against French pay-TV broadcaster saying ‘opt-out’ sales practices are also being adopted by other firms including telephone service operators and insurers

France border controls criticised after fatal police worker stabbing

New law to be presented this week to allow for increased use of computer algorithms to detect potential threats among internet users

French MPs back more cycling aid including for electric bikes

Extra help to be available to anyone looking to buy an eco-friendly electric bicycle after politicians vote unanimously for additions to major environment bill

'Kafkaesque' row over 22 illegal wind turbines in south France

Developer failed to get environmental authorisation for the 125-metre-high turbines but prefecture hopes firm can secure this soon and stay

Lockdown still needed for vaccinated people French court rules

The argument that people who are fully vaccinated should not have to follow lockdown rules was rejected.

What’s new for residents in France in April 2021

It is tax declaration time, while other changes this month affect internet rules, the bicycle repair scheme, gas prices, help with energy bills, and the winter eviction truce

Nurse denied French nationality for working too much to try again

Lawyers argue authorities are ignoring changes to government rules brought in during the pandemic after frontline worker's overtime meant he had worked 60-hour weeks

French court says marital sex 'duty', wife puts case to ECHR

An appeals court said the woman’s decision not to have sex with her husband constituted a violation of the obligations of marriage, making her solely responsible for their divorce

French mayors impose stricter rules for pesticides on farms

Ten communes have introduced new local regulations against pesticide use

Friends of man killed by hunters fight to change French law

Six women, all friends of Morgan Keane, are campaigning for the hunting laws in France to change to make the countryside safer for everyone

€15,000 fine for Paris Airbnb landlord upheld by court

Courts have ruled against property owners’ right to rent out second homes in cities in France without informing local authorities. More fines for other rule-breakers are expected

France plans new laws to protect minors against sex offences

The government is debating a raft of new laws following high-profile incest accusations which sparked national debate earlier this year

French MPs propose lighter regulation for CBD industry

A new report says current laws should be changed to improve safety for consumers of the cannabis-based product and allow growth in the French market

Formal call to end racial profiling by police in France

Six associations have issued a formal notice against the French government, calling for ‘deep reforms’ to end the ‘discriminatory practice’

French law for animal wellbeing to be debated in parliament

New legislation against dog abandonment and more will be discussed in the Assemblée nationale from today, as Parc Asterix retires its famous performing dolphins

Surprise fly-tipping find for mayor in northeast France

What the Grand-Est mayor saw allowed him to identify who had dumped the rubbish

Local anti-pesticide laws not allowed in France

The Conseil d’Etat has said mayors do not have the authority to ban the use of the chemicals in their communes

Covid-19 France: Could places refuse unvaccinated people?

As France considers introducing a law allowing greater freedom of movement for people with the Covid-19 vaccine, experts debate whether doing so is legal

What’s new in France from January 1, 2021?

The start of the new year sees changes in France concerning January sales, rising gas prices and Brexit

France Covid: Investigation opens into 200-guest wedding

The event was held on private property in Maine-et-Loire last week, despite Covid restrictions. A 100-person party near Tours is also being investigated

French motoring groups challenge speed bump safety

Judicial investigation opens after associations complain that hundreds of thousands of traffic-calming measures are dangerous

Russians jailed for attack on England fan at Euro 2016

French court jails two men after attack left England supporter permanently disabled

Claiming for delayed flights easier under new French law

The Cour de cassation has given a new ruling to help travellers in France get reimbursed for late and cancelled flights

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

MPs consider new law against French accent discrimination

The law has been put forward to stop the ‘centralisation’ of language in France and bring credibility to regional differences in pronunciation

Must French court appoint will executor as per English Law?

John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query on English inheritance laws when living in France