18 recent and upcoming changes in France in July 2026
Includes electricity bills, taxes, and an end to cold calls
Electricity bills to rise
A 2.5% increase to regulated electricity tariffs comes into force from August 1.
The average regulated electricity tariff will rise by around €26 per year.
The increase, affecting more than 19 million households, was recommended by the Commission de régulation de l'énergie following increases to electricity network usage charges.
These charges will increase by around 3% on August 1 and account for roughly a third of the total cost of regulated tariffs. Although paid by suppliers, they are passed on to customers through electricity bills.
Interest rates rise on tax-free savings accounts
Interest rates on several tax-free savings accounts are increasing from August 1.
The rate on the popular Livret A account is rising from 1.5% to 1.7%, with the same increase applying to the Livret de développement durable et solidaire (LDDS), which helps finance environmental projects.
The Banque de France said the new Livret A rate remains above recent inflation levels and should continue to protect savers' purchasing power.
Someone with the maximum €22,950 balance would earn around €45.90 more over a year if the rate remains unchanged.
The Livret d'épargne populaire (LEP), designed for lower-income households, will remain at 2.5%.
Tougher cold-calling rules
The reform means consumers will only receive calls from companies they have authorised to contact them, or if the call relates to an ongoing contract.
The change will effectively make the Bloctel opt-out register unnecessary, as consumers will no longer need to register their number to avoid most unsolicited calls.
Social EV leasing scheme returns
The social leasing scheme for electric vehicles returned for the third year on July 16.
Up to 50,000 households can benefit from leasing an electric car at below-market rates, provided they sign up to a contract lasting at least three years.
To qualify, drivers must live in France, have a net income of €16,880 or less, and either drive more than 8,000km a year or travel at least 10km between home and work.
Net income is based on 2024 earnings shown on the 2025 income tax avis, rather than this year's tax declarations covering 2025 income.
Monthly costs are expected to be around €150 for the vehicle, excluding charging costs.
€3 charge on small parcels from outside the EU
A new EU-wide €3 charge on low-value parcels from outside the bloc came into force on July 1, replacing France's temporary €2 import tax introduced earlier this year.
The measure applies to all shipments worth €150 or less entering the EU, including parcels from countries such as the UK, US, Australia and China.
The aim is to reduce the volume of low-cost imports, particularly from Chinese e-commerce platforms.
The €3 charge is applied per item category, meaning a parcel containing several types of goods can be charged more than once.
Many retailers are expected to add the cost at checkout, but recipients might need to pay before delivery if the sender has not covered the fee.
Gifts worth less than €45 are exempt, provided they are declared correctly. Gifts worth more than €45 are subject to the charge. Parcels valued above €150 remain subject to normal customs duties.
Higher fines for incorrectly sorted household waste
Fines for incorrectly sorting household waste have increased.
The standard fine has risen from €35 to €68, reduced to €45 for prompt payment and increasing to €180 if unpaid. Court cases can result in fines of up to €450.
Penalties can apply for using the wrong bin, failing to follow local sorting instructions, using unsuitable containers, or leaving rubbish outside authorised collection areas.
Residents are advised to check local rules with their mairie, as recycling systems vary between communes.
More time for tax authorities to recover unpaid taxes
The change affects taxes such as taxe d'habitation on second homes and levies on vacant properties.
Previously, authorities had until December 31 of the year after the tax was due to correct errors. Under new anti-fraud measures, this has been extended by two years.
For example, an incorrect declaration affecting 2025's tax could now result in a revised bill being issued until December 31, 2028.
Property owners do not need to take any additional action, with taxe d'habitation notices continuing to be sent in November and payments due in December.
Owners should check property details through the Biens immobiliers section of the tax website to ensure information is accurate.
Warning over 'overpaid tax' email scam
The first thing to check is whether the email ends with the official @dgfip.finances.gouv.fr domain. Fraudulent emails often, though not always, use unrelated addresses.
Do not click on links or provide any personal information. Instead, check your account through trusted channels, notably the official tax website and its secure messaging service.
People expecting genuine refunds should have received payments directly on July 24 or July 31, with no action required.
Court ruling on drought-related cracks
Homeowners seeking compensation for drought-related cracks under France's catastrophe naturelle insurance scheme may, in some cases, need to show they took preventative measures, following a ruling by the Cour de cassation.
The case involved a €40,000 dispute between a homeowner in Gard and his insurer after cracks appeared following drought conditions in 2016.
Although an appeal court had previously ruled in favour of the homeowner, France's highest court overturned the decision, saying the owner had not taken steps to prevent the damage.
There is currently no national list defining what these preventative measures are, but experts recommend managing water levels around properties, controlling vegetation, maintaining gutters and drainage systems, keeping trees away from foundations and regularly monitoring cracks.
New tool shows coastal erosion risks
Around 20% of France's coastline is already affected by coastal erosion, with an estimated 5,200 homes potentially at risk by 2050 due to climate change.
The website, Le littoral de ma commune, lets users compare aerial photographs from the 1950s with recent images. It also shows properties potentially exposed to future risks, projections for sea-level rise, and possible adaptation measures.
Prime d'activité increase
The increase will be applied automatically after recipients submit their usual quarterly declarations between July and September.
It comes in addition to a separate 0.8% increase introduced in April.
Student housing benefit cut
Students from countries including the UK, US and Australia can no longer receive benefits such as aide personnalisée au logement (APL) unless they also receive a French means-tested student grant.
The change applies both to new applicants and those already receiving APL, meaning some students could see their monthly income reduced by €100 to €250.
Students are advised to speak to their international relations office or contact their local Caf or Crous centre, which may be able to direct them to alternative sources of financial support.
Students working at least one hour a week, or those on an apprenticeship or professional training contract, remain eligible for APL.
Acre scheme tightened
Eligible self-employed people can now receive an exemption from 25% of their initial social security contributions, down from the previous 50%.
The reduced contributions can apply for up to 15 months.
The scheme is limited to benefit recipients, people aged under 25 (or under 30 if disabled), those starting businesses in rural areas, and people who have been made redundant.
EV charging assistants return for summer
Motorway operators are once again deploying staff to help electric vehicle drivers use busy charging hubs and resolve technical problems during the peak summer holiday period.
The assistants, known as bornistes, typically wear orange high-visibility clothing and help motorists find available chargers, explain how they work and resolve minor faults.
TotalEnergies has expanded the scheme, having previously deployed bornistes at around 85 motorway service stations during holiday periods and busy weekends.
On the busiest days, each assistant can help with around 130 charging sessions.
Beachwear ban extended in Narbonne
The rules apply until September 30 in several tourist and pedestrian areas to protect "public tranquillity" and maintain the attractiveness of the city centre.
Offenders face fines of up to €150.
Other coastal towns with similar rules include Nice and Arcachon.
Water primrose is banned in private ponds
Ludwigia grandiflora, commonly known as water primrose, is classified as an invasive species.
Originally from South America, it was introduced to Europe in the 19th Century as an ornamental aquatic plant because of its bright yellow flowers.
It can spread rapidly in rivers, wetlands and ponds, forming dense mats on the water's surface that reduce light and oxygen levels.
French law prohibits its possession, sale, transport, cultivation or intentional introduction.
Serious offences can carry penalties of up to €150,000 and three years in prison.
Anyone who discovers the plant is advised to seek guidance from local authorities before attempting to remove it.
Other banned exotic plants include Sosnowsky's hogweed, which can grow up to 3.5 metres tall.
Do not mistake this wasp for an Asian hornet
The large black-and-yellow insect may look alarming but is not considered dangerous to humans. Females have a sting but rarely use it unless directly threatened.
The wasp also plays an important role as a pollinator.
Concern about Asian hornets has led some people to target insects they believe could be dangerous, using homemade traps that do not distinguish between different species.
Experts instead recommend using approved traps designed specifically for Asian hornets, particularly in spring when queens emerge from hibernation.
Bank card payments coming to Paris public transport
The payment method, known as "open payment", is already used in London and on many transport networks across France.
Buses are already partially equipped, with gradual expansion now planned across the Metro, tram, RER and suburban rail network.
The rollout is expected to be completed by 2030.
Journeys paid for using bank cards will not include free transfers, meaning each validation will be charged separately. They will also be more expensive than standard fares, with surcharges of between 50 and 80 cents applied.
