Seven changes for people living in France in July 2025

July is a month of changes in France as several new rules come into effect. 

There are several key dates to remember – both for practical and cultural events – alongside the raft of new rules and regulations.

Below, we look at seven important changes. 

New ‘smoke-free’ areas

Smoking in several areas including beaches, bus shelters, public gardens and outside schools is now banned. 

This came into force on Sunday (June 29). 

Smokers risk a €135 fine if they are caught smoking in any of the public zones. 

A list of areas impacted can be found in our article here. It is part of a drive to reduce smoking amongst the younger population. 

Zero-interest eco-loan changes 

The requirements to attain the 'éco-prêt à taux zéro’ (éco-PTZ or zero-interest eco loan) will be more closely aligned to those required to receive funding for the MaPrimeRénov’ (despite the temporary suspension of larger projects within the latter scheme).

To receive the loan for much larger or multiple projects (rénovation globale) you will need to have an energy audit that estimates the work will improve the property’s DPE rating by at least two classes.

Gas prices to increase

An increase to the ‘reference’ fee (repère) on gas bills will come into force on July 1. 

It will rise by around 5% (€277 to €290), and finances maintenance of the network. 

This is considerably lower than the 24% increase to the fee in 2024, and as the price per kW/h will remain stable, the predicted impact on gas bills is limited.

More secure paper ‘sick-notes’ 

Physical sick-leave notes will need to be sent via a specific secure document to fight fraud in the sector. 

Only genuine copies of the related ‘Cerfa’ form will be accepted, with photocopies and other notes rejected. 

These secure forms have a series of anti-fraud measures.

The changes will not affect electronic sick notes, which make up the majority of those submitted.

Better worker protection in hot weather, new apprentice payments, public transport charges

Three changes will affect businesses from July onwards.

Employers have to offer workers more means to cool down during hotter periods, including shutters and shaded areas as well as three litres of drinking water per day, per employee, unless running water is already available on site.

Working hours can be varied to avoid the hottest periods of the day, and several tasks can be temporarily suspended if the weather demands this. 

The rules come into place on July 1, and Labour inspectors will be checking to see if companies are following the new regulations. 

In another change for workers, apprentices must now be paid a minimum of €750 over the duration of their contract, provided they have at least a Bac+3 education (essentially an undergraduate degree). 

Payments for training must also be calculated pro-rata for the number of days worked.

Finally, employers with at least 11 salaried workers will see their ‘versement mobilité’ rate increase if this is levied where the businesses headquarters is located.

This is a surcharge used to fund local public transport services. 

Unemployment benefit increase 

The daily base unemployment benefit rate (assurance chômage) will increase 0.5% on July 1, up from €31.97 to €32.13. 

Over two million people will be affected by the change.

Reimbursement of myopia-correcting lenses for children

Social Security will partially reimburse ‘Miyosmart’ lenses for children aged 5 - 16 from July 1.

These lenses help combat myopia (short-sightedness) in children. 

If a child has an eyesight level of -6 or higher, or has an eyesight level changing by -0.5 per year, the lenses will be partially reimbursed at a rate of €44.28 per lens (the base price is €147.60 per lens). 

The remainder can be covered by top-up insurance, Social Security says. 

More information about the scheme can be found here.