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Free fraud service for UK homeowners living in France
Owners are encouraged to sign up for a free monitoring service from HM Land Registry to reduce risk
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New civic tests for foreigners in France launch amid criticism
Applicants for some types of residency cards must now take 45-minute test
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Workers in France can take 17-day break using only eight days of leave in 2026
Favourable calendar for public holidays makes extended May break possible, with five guaranteed long weekends throughout year
Cutback on medicine brands
Patients who refuse a generic medicine in place of a branded one from January 2020 will only be reimbursed based on the price of the generic, according to next year’s social security budget bill.
The rule will apply unless there is a medical justification for it to be waived, for example, if the generic contains an ingredient to which the patient is allergic. Generics cost 40% less on average and the government says money saved can be put to better use, such as for buying innovative medicines to treat childhood cancers. Currently, the only penalty for refusing a generic is you must pay upfront for it and thus do not obtain le tiers payant.
