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Phone scams, gardening, insurance claims: 5 French practical updates
Our roundup of recent practical articles you may have missed
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Picnic in Paris? Chance to join huge meal on Champs-Elysees
The event could even be record-breaking. You can now apply for your chance to take part
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Many older electrical installations in France have security faults
‘Electrical installations age, like cars, and you need to call an electrician to check them’, the national electrical safety observatory warns
What changes in France in January 2020
'Free' glasses and dentures now available, most households now exempt from taxe d'habitation, and minimum wage rises
Health
France's long-awaited 'free' glasses, dentures and hearing aids policy comes into force. Top-up health insurance providers will be obliged to pay the difference between state reimbursement and the actual cost of the items.
Homeopathic products will be reimbursed at a rate of 15% (compared to 30% previously). As of 2021, homeopathic products will not be reimbursed at all.
Pharmacists can now carry out angina tests to help patients determine which course of treatment is required.
Read more (subscriber article): What’s new in France in 2020: Health
Taxes
Taxe d'habitation will disappear altogether for 80% of main households. The remaining 20% will see bills reduce to zero over the next three years as the tax is phased out.
A total €5bn in income tax cuts, prompted by the gilets jaunes, comes into effect, saving 12million taxpayers €350 a year, while another five million will save €180
Nursery assistants and home helps are subject to a levy at source, payable by their employer, via the website monprelevementalasource.urssaf.fr.
Read more (subscriber article): Taxes and money in France in 2020: What’s new?
Work
The hourly minimum wage in France rises from €10.03 to €10.15 gross, which means the monthly minimum wage for full-time workers rises €15 a month, from €1,204 to €1,219.
Companies with more than 11 employees are required to set up economic and social councils (CSE).
Tax-exempt bonus for employees (known as "Macron"): renewed but subject to the conclusion of a profit-sharing agreement within the company.
Tobacco
The price of a pack of 20 increases €0.10.
Environment
The sale of cotton buds with plastic stems is prohibited.
Low-income households can benefit from a green bonus from national housing agency (ANAH) for energy-saving improvements to their homes.
Courts
The controversial merger of the local and district courts, a key element of the justice reforms voted through in March 2019, comes into effect. Courts will be grouped into 'courts of justice' and will offer what reformers call a "single gateway to justice", with the promise that no site will be closed.
Read more (subscriber article): A new decade begins... what’s new in France in 2020?
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