Are laws on heating homes in France set to change?

Reader Question: Are there more changes coming regarding heating rules in France? We were unaware that communes are starting to ban open-hearth fireplaces.

A change to fireplace rules in Lille on November 1 has sparked concern that further changes are on the way, either for fireplaces or other heating options.

There are no national bans or changes taking place to fireplace rules next year, but local authorities may choose to implement their own limits. You will be informed of changes in your area well in advance. 

It is worth noting that a ban on gas boilers has been introduced for newly constructed properties from January 2027, but this does not impact gas boilers in existing properties.

The government is encouraging residents to update gas boilers to more eco-friendly alternatives – particularly heat pumps – but a requirement to upgrade boilers is not expected in the coming years.

Read our article here to learn about a simulator that provides information on heating your home effectively.

We cover what you need to know about upcoming rule changes below.

Encouragement – not requirement – to modernise heating

The first things to dispel are the frequent claims on social media surrounding supposedly incoming national bans on open-hearth fireplaces or wood heaters in general.

These rumours began appearing in earnest after discussions at the European level over a potential tightening of heating regulations, to reduce pollution from wood-burning apparatuses. 

While the bloc is looking to increase regulations, it is not actively asking member states to ban these items.

As of November 2026, no plans to nationally ban these appliances have been made in France.

Decisions to ban or restrict usage of certain wood-heating products rest with local prefects. 

Alongside the aforementioned bans on open-hearth fireplaces in France (with more than 600 communes restricting their use) other limits implemented at local level include restrictions on certain old wood-burning stoves and wood-fired boilers.

If you use such products in your home, you should check restrictions in place in your commune via your local mairie or your prefecture (via the departmental website where your property is located). 

Modern versions of these products remain generally untouched by restrictions, and indeed some homes have even seen eco-friendly wood-burning heaters installed as part of government-funded eco-renovation project MaPrimeRénov’. 

However, there is a wider encouragement to update appliances from older versions to newer models, or to switch to more energy-efficient heating sources. 

This includes modern versions of wood-burning products, which are still often classed as a good way to heat homes.

If you are looking to buy heating products, a good piece of advice is to check for the ‘Flamme Verte’ logo, which shows it has passed critical benchmarks for emissions and energy efficiency. Such products are less likely to be impacted by future bans. 

Make sure you use the correct wood – dry wood, with a low moisture content – and dry it properly, to increase its effectiveness and reduce the amount you need across the cooler period.

Financial aid for purchasing or installing a new wood-heating product is limited, and mostly comes through energy savings certificates (Certificats d’Économies d’Énergie, CEE). 

However, if a new, eco-friendly system is being installed alongside other improvements, it may be eligible for the MaPrimeRénov’ scheme, depending on conditions including the property's energy classification band increasing by at least two letters (for example, E to C). 

Households should also be able to access zero-interest eco-loans to modernise systems.

Local aid may also be available, particularly in cases where replacing an older item is mandatory to comply with new regulations. Check with your local mairie to see if anything is available. 

New rules for thermostats

One rule that was set to change in 2027 was the mandatory installation of a ‘programmable’ thermostat, which can adjust temperatures based on external conditions installed in homes. 

However, a December 2025 decree pushed this deadline back to 2030, with concerns over the high cost of installation and logistical issues major factors, with around 27 million homes yet to comply with the rule.

Applicable thermostats must be able to set the temperature through times (at minimum hourly intervals) or ‘heating zones’ (essentially different rooms) as well as come with four settings – off, frost protection, comfort, and reduced power.

They must also have manual controls, allowing residents to set them as they wish.

Full information is available in our article here. 

Note there are two exceptions to the new rule. Properties that will not see a return on investment within 10 years of installing a modern thermostat (backed up by a study), or properties where the energy supply is not automatic, are excluded.

The government is yet to announce whether financial aid for installing the thermostats will be made available.