Home and daily life: What's new in France in 2026

Property letting rules

# People who let property were expected to be obliged to state the amount of rent they charge in their Biens immobiliers online property-owners’ declaration from 2026. However, it is expected that this will again be optional after MPs debated putting it off. 

The information is intended to feed into a report to parliament on reform of the valeurs locatives cadastrales (VLCs). These are theoretical annual rental figures assigned to properties that are used to calculate local taxes.

They have not been fully overhauled to account for changes in the property market since 1970. Reforms have been planned for years but have been repeatedly delayed.

Package handling fees

An import fee for small parcels from outside the EU is expected to be brought in EU-wide in the course of 2026, possibly of around €2. 

This comes as the bloc looks at ending the exemption that exists on customs duties for parcels whose contents are valued at less than €150.

# France is also making national-law plans to pre-empt this with a €2 to €5 fee on such parcels. 

Postage costs rise 

Postage for letters and parcels is set to rise by an average of 7.4% from January 1.

This includes: lettre verte (normal post) €1.39 to €1.52; Services Plus letter (with tracking) €3.15 to €3.47; international letter (up to 20g) €2.10 to €2.25; registered post letter (up to 20g) €5.74 to €6.11; e-lettre rouge (overnight post, ordered online and printed out by La Poste) €1.49 to €1.60.

The price of sending parcels using the Colissimo service will also rise by an average of 3.4%, regardless of the destination, whether in France or abroad. 

MaPrimeRénov’ to fully reopen

France’s renovation grant scheme will fully reopen early this year, focused on the most poorly-rated (E, F, G) homes and low-income households, and with an emphasis on overall energy-efficiency improvements via several works. 

The maximum amounts available have been lowered.

Partial grants for small renovations (‘monogestes’) remain available until December 2026, though some items no longer qualify.

Cold calls to be banned from August 2026

A new law will prohibit unsolicited marketing calls from August 11, with exceptions only for explicit consumer consent or existing contracts. 

Stricter rules already apply in energy renovation and disabled accessibility sectors, and companies breaking the law risk fines of up to €500,000 and prison terms.

Fines for missed property declarations start in 2026

Property owners in France who fail to complete the Biens immobiliers declaration this year will face a €150 fine per property (this already existed previously, but was not enforced as the system bedded in). This has to be done by June 30, for changes in 2025.

Declarations are only required if there are changes to the property’s status, occupancy, or structure.

2G network to be switched off

The 2G mobile network will be discontinued by SFR and Bouygues Telecom in 2026, affecting older phones, some emergency devices, lifts, and car SOS buttons. 

Users will need to switch to 3G or 4G-compatible devices, while operators stress environmental and efficiency benefits from retiring 2G.