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11 changes you may have missed in France in September 2026
Changes include new rules for heat pumps and Amazon book deliveries
We review changes (and news items) which have been made, together with some announced but not yet in place, and list certain key ones that may affect residents of France.
New rules for heat pumps
Eligibility criteria for the coup de pouce chauffage aid for heat pump installations have been updated. The pump model must belong to a list of approved types, ensuring it was manufactured – or assembled in – an EU/EEA country.
Funding is not fixed and can reach up to €6,880, depending on household income and location. Aid for installing a heat pump is available to main home owners. Properties must be at least two years old. France Rénov’ offers free advice.
Pool tax warning
Readers are reminded that leaving an above ground (hors-sol) pool up for too long can lead to additional tax liabilities.
‘Fixed’ pools measuring above 10m² become eligible for taxe d’aménagement. A construction is considered ‘fixed’ if in place consecutively for three months or more – or 15 days if in a protected area. Check planning rules at your mairie.
Those who leave pools up for too long can also be fined for failing to declare it. In addition, ‘fixed’ pools are deemed to increase the property’s overall value, affecting future taxe foncière payments.
Firefighters on strike
Nine firefighting unions have issued a formal strike notice covering the period from September 8-October 20. It follows a summer marked by major wildfires and intense pressure on emergency services.
A strike notice does not mean firefighters will be striking continuously throughout this period, but allows action to take place on these dates. Emergency services still respond to calls.
Unions want increased funding, more professional firefighters, modernised equipment and better protection against smoke and toxic substances.
Rise in ‘consent’ emails
There has been an increase in emails from newsletters and companies explaining changes to email tracking.
This comes after data protection authority CNIL published guidance on the use of tracking pixels – an invisible image in an email that can provide senders with information on when, where and how emails are opened.
Organisations must inform subscribers how this is used and give them the opportunity to object. The compliance deadline fell on July 14, but organisations may still contact subscribers as they complete the process.
New packaging rules
France is affected by EU rules to reduce packaging waste. Changes will be introduced gradually.
From February 12, 2027, takeaways must let customers use their own containers. From February 2028, they must also offer reusable packaging. From 2030, people should see refill stations in larger shops, and smaller parcels delivered with less packaging.
Certain types of single-use packaging will be banned and there will be restrictions on chemicals that break down slowly in the environment and clearer recycling information on packaging.
Amazon book deliveries
Amazon has dropped its free delivery and 5% discount on new books delivered to its automated lockers after a dispute with independent booksellers over whether the savings are compliant with French law.
It said lockers only represent a small fraction of its roughly 3,000 collection points and that customers would continue to access free delivery and the 5% discount on other locations.
Booksellers argue that automated lockers do not qualify for the permitted discounts because customers are not collecting from a bookshop.
More reports of ‘biting fish’
Reports of ‘biting fish’ increased over the hot summer. The grey triggerfish, which favours warm water and has not commonly been seen near French beaches in the past, can bite hard enough to break mollusc shells and sea urchins.
A map of where they have been reported is available on the Marine Life Information Network website, including across the western coast of France, east of Toulon, and around Montpellier.
If bitten, exit the water as soon as possible and disinfect the wound. Bites are not poisonous.
App for sporty travellers
A sports teacher in Ile-de-France has launched an app called WeekySport to connect accommodation providers with sports-focused travellers.
Philippe Desmet said it was inspired by his own active holidays with local friends who knew the area.
Hosts can guide users and help them make the most of their chosen activity, and there are now more than a hundred referenced in the app.
Asian hornet plan
The government has announced a national plan to coordinate the fight against Asian hornets – an invasive species that preys on honeybees.
It aims to limit the species’ impact through measures adapted to the situation in each area.
Departments’ risk levels will be assessed depending on how many nests are found there and measures will be deployed such as finding and destroying nests, trapping queens in spring and protecting bee colonies.
Brittany best for retirement
Brittany has been named the best region in France for retirement just a few months after one of its communes, Vannes, was ranked first in the ‘dream places to live’ in France.
The study by comparison website BrokerChooser compared regions using six criteria: property prices, access to healthcare, green spaces, proportion of retirees, demographic ageing and life expectancy after 60.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur came second, but it fared much less well on property prices.
Weather reports more detailed
State forecaster Météo-France is refining its weather reports to provide more accurate forecasts based on local geography and precise information.
This includes more localised information about thunderstorms, snow/ice, wind, and rain/flash flooding, in addition to the localised alerts for avalanches and coastal flooding already available.
It means that in some cases official weather alerts will apply only to certain areas of a department. Specific locations might therefore see warnings that are higher or lower than the rest of the department.
From 2027, Météo-France might roll out localised heatwave alerts as well.
