What changes in France in May
Gas prices rise slightly after months of falls, TNT TV services set to change in parts of France, tougher vehicle inspections, and new European data protection laws all come into effect this month
Each new month brings a raft of changes in France. These are the changes taking place in May
Gas prices
After a couple of months of welcome falls, the price of gas rises slightly from May 1, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CRE) has said.
The cost for anyone with gas central heating will rise 0.4%, while for cooking the price will increase 0.1% - and for cooking and hot water 0.2%.
TV
France's digital terrestrial TV service TNT has announced some frequency changes in 10 departments - Jura, Haut-Rhin, Doubs, Saone-et-Loire, Nièvre, Allier, Côte-d'Or, Haute-Marne, Haute-Saone and Vosges - this month.
Homeowners who have their own TV antenna will have to perform a search to find the channels. Those living in collective housing may lose channels if the property's manager has not performed the necessary work.
University
Applications for scholarships or university housing must be made on the messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr website before May 31.
Tougher CT checks
As reported, strict new vehicle checks come into force for all vehicles over four years old this month. From May 20, each test will last twice as long, with testers checking for 132 points compared to the current 123.
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There will also be 127 ‘critical failures’ which means owners will not be able to drive their vehicles except to a garage to get repair work done within 24 hours, and 340 ‘major failures’ needing repairs within two months.
In each case, vehicles will face a retest.
Personal data
On May 25, new European rules - called GDPR - come into force. It establishes a new legal framework for the collection, storage, processing and security of personal data collected in Europe. June's issue of Connexion, which comes out the week the new laws take effect, will explain the changes in depth, and how it could affect you.
