What changes in France for residents in November 2025?
EES checks rollout, energy bills, taxes, and winter rules: See what is changing in France next month
November in France will bring changes including off-peak energy hour shifts, winter tyre rules, the chèque énergie, and Ryanair going paperless
Pixavril / HJBC / Zigmunds Dizgalvis / Milosz Kubiak / Shutterstock / ConnexionFrance
Each new month brings changes in France, with November set to see the implementation of winter rules for rentals and vehicle tyres, new tax bills, plus changes to energy and travel.
Change in energy provider ‘peak’ and ‘off-peak’ hours
From November 1, ‘off-peak’ time slots for energy use will change. This is to encourage ‘smarter’, more energy-efficient consumption, and aims to benefit consumers with lower-cost energy. It will also help account for the increased amount of solar energy production.
The rule of eight off-peak hours per day will not change.
However, the distribution of these hours will gradually shift, and will be spread over two periods, which is new.
At least five consecutive hours will be open between the hours of 23:00 and 07:00.
The three remaining hours will be placed between 11:00 and 17:00, depending on the season and other factors.
You cannot choose your own hours, but your supplier will inform you of your off-peak time slot around one month in advance.
Up to 11 million households are expected to be affected by the change. Peak and off-peak hours in France are decided by the Commission de Régulation de l’Énergie (CRE).
Energy cheques paid
Several million lower-income households are set to receive their chèque énergie from the government. This is paid annually to help with the cost of electricity and gas bills.
The cheque payment has been delayed to November this year due to several factors, including:
The criteria for the cheques changed to take into account the abolition of the taxe d’habitation on main homes. The cheque’s allocation is now based on a) the household’s Point de Livraison (PDL, electricity delivery point) number, and b) the supply contract holder’s income.
The modernisation and redesign of the energy cheque website (which happened in February). It was changed with the aim of making it easier for claimants to complete online procedures.
A change in the government’s approach to low-income customers who are struggling to pay for energy. Suppliers have been asked to maintain supply to households who are set to receive the energy cheque, even in the event of non-payment of bills pending the benefit payment.
Winter ‘truce’ begins for rentals
The annual trêve hivernale (winter truce or break) for rentals begins on November 1, and will last until March 31, 2026.
No evictions of tenants can take place during this period, except in very specific, justified, and authorised cases (e.g. illegal occupancy or squatters). Eviction may be possible if alternative accommodation is found.
This is to protect tenants from becoming homeless during the winter.
Winter tyres
From November 1 to March 31, all vehicles with four or more wheels must have winter weather and mountain tyres if driving in affected French mountain ranges and mountainous areas.
Drivers must have:
Snow tyres for all four wheels, with tyres that have the 3PMSF icon on them, OR
Carry and use winter chains or socks (chaussettes à neige textiles) for at least two wheels, which can be put on to improve safety in the event of snow and ice.
EES rollout continues
As of November 1, 2025, the EES (Entry/Exit System) rollout is continuing (after beginning on October 12), but is not yet fully in place everywhere. The EES is the introduction of electronic monitoring and biometric data collection for non-EU nationals entering and leaving the Schengen area for short stays (eg. British nationals visiting France).
Specifically for passenger vehicles coming into France via the Port of Dover, the EES is expected to come into force from November 1, 2025.
Many border crossing points will still stamp passports and some may not yet collect full biometric data. If you are travelling, you are advised to check the specific border point’s rules.
Checks at other main UK-France entry points, including the Eurotunnel at Folkestone and the Eurostar from London St Pancras, are expected to continue to be rolled out gradually to all affected travellers in the coming months.
The EES will require you to have a passport valid for at least three months after your planned date of exit from the Schengen area. You may also be asked for details of your accommodation, proof of means to fund your trip, and whether you have travel medical insurance (a Ghic/Ehic is considered sufficient for those from the UK).
However, in many cases, it is not expected that these ‘travel questions’ will be asked.
Biometric registration may include having your fingerprints and photo taken. You may also receive a stamp in your passport during the transition to the new system. Biometric data is stored for up to three years from your last exit from the Schengen area, so you only need to register fully once in that time.
Stored data means that future crossings should be quicker.
Ryanair goes paperless
From November 3, passengers on low-cost carrier Ryanair will no longer be able to board flights with a physical, printed boarding pass. They will instead need a digital pass via the airline’s ‘myRyanair’ smartphone application.
Originally set to come into force in May 2025, the rule’s introduction was delayed to coincide with the start of the winter season.
The end of paper boarding passes also means passengers will need to check in digitally by downloading their passes through the app before reaching the airport.
Passengers who do not check-in digitally and require Ryanair staff assistance face a charge of €55/£55 (€30/£30 for flights to and from Spain, €40/£40 to and from Austria).
Consumer credit protection
From November 20, the new EU Consumer Credit Directive (No. 2023/2225) will become French law (although it will come into force later).
This directive provides for stronger requirements and protections for schemes such as ‘buy now pay later’, including providing clearer information to consumers who use them.
Cap on bank charges after a death
From November 13, a cap will be placed on the amount that banks can charge in fees when settling an estate following a death.
Related article: What is the procedure after a death in France?
Violence in sport: mandatory display
From November 19, all sports establishments will be required to display visible information on how to report cases of violence, including of a:
Sexual,
Physical, and/or
Psychological nature.
Both victims and witnesses to any incidents can report it to: signal-sports@sports.gouv.fr. The aim is to make it easier for people (especially young people) to speak out against bullying, damaging sporting culture, and assault.
