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

Property letting rules

# Landlords 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 now expected that this will again be optional, after MPs debated delaying the measure.

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

These 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 postponed.

Import fee on small parcels from outside the EU

An import fee for small parcels from outside the EU is to be brought in EU-wide from July 1, increasing the per-parcel charge from €2 to €3. This comes as the bloc moves to end the exemption on customs duties for parcels with contents valued at under €150.

France has also been examining national-law options in this area, but the confirmed change for 2026 is the EU-wide fee.

Postage costs rise

Postage prices for letters and parcels have risen by an average of 7.4% from January 1.

This includes:

• Lettre verte (standard post): €1.39 → €1.52

• Services Plus letter (with tracking): €3.15 → €3.47

• International letter (up to 20g): €2.10 → €2.25

• Registered letter (up to 20g): €5.74 → €6.11

• E-lettre rouge (overnight post ordered online and printed by La Poste): €1.49 → €1.60

The price of sending parcels using the Colissimo service has also risen by an average of 3.4%, regardless of destination, whether within France or abroad.

MaPrimeRénov’ fully reopens

France’s renovation grant scheme will fully reopen early this year, with a focus on the most poorly rated homes (DPEs of E, F and G) and low-income households.

There is an emphasis on overall energy-efficiency improvements carried out through several works at once. Maximum grant amounts have been lowered.

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

Cold calls to be banned from August

A new law will prohibit unsolicited marketing calls from August 11, with exceptions only where consumers have given explicit consent to receive calls or where there is an existing contract.

Stricter rules already apply in the energy renovation and disabled accessibility sectors. Companies / owners that breach the rules risk fines of up to €500,000 and prison sentences.

Fines for missed property declarations

Property owners who fail to complete the Biens immobiliers declaration will face a €150 fine per property. This penalty existed previously but was not enforced to date while the system was bedding in.

Declarations must be completed by June 30 for any changes made in 2025, and are required only if there has been a change to a property’s status, occupancy or structure.

2G mobile network switched off

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

Users will need to switch to 3G- or 4G-compatible devices. Operators say retiring 2G will bring environmental and efficiency benefits.

Cigarette price rises

Some cigarette brands have risen in price by 10 to 50 cents since January 1.

The largest increases (50 cents) apply to Marlboro Red and Gold, Camel, and Winston Blue. Gauloises blondes increased by 10 cents.