Strike day, forest fires, upcoming tax cuts... new changes in France

1. National strike

Trade unions have called for a day of national strike action to protest against the pensions reform, on Tuesday, June 6.

It is not known which sectors will strike, or whether there will be disruption to trains. Check the SNCF website from 17:00 the day before to see if your train is running.

On June 8, MPs will debate a bill proposed by a centrist group of MPs, aiming to repeal the reform and fix the pension age at 62 as formerly, and to call for a conference on how to ensure the pension system is properly financed in future.

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has claimed it is “unconstitutional”. It is unlikely to succeed but if it did, it would prove embarrassing for the government.

2: Tax cuts plan

President Macron has said he wants to spend €2billion to reduce taxes for middle earners between now and 2027.

The plans have not been formally announced or voted on, but would be aimed at those who earn €1,500 to €2,500 per month before tax – almost half of full-time employees.

Mr Macron did not specify what form the tax cuts would take, but has asked the government to work on proposals.

Read more: Macron’s middle-class tax cut plan: Would you be affected?

3: Food deal extended

France’s trimestre anti-inflation (anti-inflation quarter) price protection measures will be extended beyond June 15, the government has said.

The voluntary scheme has seen several supermarkets lower prices on a selection of daily goods, from fruit and vegetables to hygiene products, by 5% to 7%.

The new end date is not yet known but Système U has said it will maintain the offer until the end of the year.

4: Covid vaccine

At-risk populations have until June 16 to get the latest Covid vaccine booster.

Those eligible include people who are over the age of 80, are immunocompromised, live in a care home, regardless of age, or are at risk of suffering from serious forms of Covid.

Authorities recommend these people receive a booster injection twice a year, in spring and autumn. You must wait six months after your last dose.

You can make an appointment with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse, or via sante.fr.

Read more: ‘Remain vigilant’: Who in France is eligible for a Covid booster jab?

5: Fire risk updates

Meteo France will publish a daily bulletin on the risk of wildfires from June 1 to October.

Departments will be classed as green (low risk), yellow (moderate), orange (heightened), or red (very high), based on factors including temperature, rain and wind speed.

Read more: Forest fire risk in parts of southern France raised to ‘very severe’

6: Tobacco prices

The prices of cigarettes and rolling tobacco have risen due to new calculations taking more account of inflation.

Many packs of 20 are now 20 to 90 cents more expensive, while rolling tobacco prices have risen by 20 cents to €1.20, depending on the brand.

7: Electric car loan

Interest-free loans for buying an electric or hybrid car have been expanded to include retrofitting (converting a conventional engine to electric).

To benefit, you must live in one of the 11 cities where there is a low-emissions zone (ZFE) and have taxable income below €14,089 per household ‘part’.

Read more: Thinking of buying an electric car in France? Now may be a good time

8: Health staff return

Some 3,000 healthcare staff have returned to work after the obligation for staff to be vaccinated, in place since September 2021, was lifted.

Suspended staff must be assigned the same job as before, or an equivalent one.

9: Parking for SUVs

Lyon is preparing to introduce new rates for residents’ on-street parking, including making SUV owners pay more.

The fees will vary by family size and means, and vehicle type, with electric cars (and all large or low-income families) paying €15/month and conventional vehicles weighing more than 1,725kg €45/month – €30 will otherwise apply from 2024.

Read more: French first as city brings in parking charges linked to car’s weight

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Tax, gardens open, property form, strikes: Key dates in France in June