Finance money

An older man and woman looking at a computer and using a calculator with a piggy bank in the foreground

What pension income is considered ‘comfortable’ in France – and why is it in the news?

The government is looking for billions of euros of savings in the 2027 budget

A couple stands outside a Bordeaux estate agency looking at property listings in the window.

Can an American move to France on an income of $2,000 per month?

We review visa, housing, and living expenses on a budget

French government outlines aid for south-west France following summer wildfires

Fast-track rebuild permits, tax exemptions and tourism campaign to entice returning travellers

practical

How a complex fraud caught out 1,000 clients of major French bank

Scammers ‘phished’ for information about Crédit Agricole customers’ local branches and then posed as staff

Euro banknote design is changing: EU asks people to vote

Anyone in Europe can take part in the online survey

Explained: France’s ‘back to school’ grant for 2026

Money is intended to help fund children's school expenses, with payments of up to €466 per child

A view of the Revolut app ready to download on a smartphone screen

Revolut granted full French banking licence, can now offer expanded services

It is latest full licence granted to neobank following UK and Australia success

What changes in France this August for your budget?

Energy bills change for millions, savings accounts see new interest rates, and back-to-school grant paid out

Collage showing office documents, call centre staff, a gas stove being adjusted and a car refuelling at a Beyour petrol station.

What changes for residents in France in August 2026

Bills will change for millions of households, fuel scheme extends, and savings accounts see new rates

Tax declaration form, calculator and euro banknotes on a desk.

Americans in France: the investment traps that could cost you

Investing in France is possible, but can leave you out of pocket if done wrong

Rate of inflation in France falls, remaining below EU average

Previous easing of Middle East tensions saw inflation fall in many countries last month

Electricity bills: French government announces 2.5% rise for regulated bills

Over 19 million households impacted, with the average bill rising €26 per year

New interest rates for millions of French savings accounts

Livret A interest rates rise but low-income equivalent remains frozen

Can you manage your spouse’s finances in France if they lose mental capacity?

The practical and legal difficulties can sometimes come as an unpleasant surprise to foreign residents

France gained an extra 35,000 millionaires in 2025, claims Swiss bank

Wealth rose despite France missing the top 10 for average and median wealth

Mortgage income law change proposed in France

Repayments cannot usually exceed 35% of income at present

Are French electricity bills set to increase in August?

Increased usage charges will affect bills, but changes elsewhere may lessen impact

Screenshot of the French public finance website login page with help links and a tax payment section.

French income tax declaration: key upcoming dates

Online declarants must request paper version by June 15

New report shows how much you must earn to be considered rich in France

France’s national statistics agency (INSEE) highlights income thresholds in France

Close-up of a hand holding a British passport with gold crest on the cover.

Why living in France but investing only in the UK creates risk

It is ill-advised to keep most of your money in one country

Reportages sur la communauté des Hérons : Ici le festival des deux mains au Solilab sur l'île de Nantes.Ici l'association Moneko et sa monnais locale.photo : Marc Roger

Does your French town have its own currency?

There are over 65 of them around the country

A view of a French healthcare charges summary letter

French social charges: who pays, how much, what’s new?

One charge increased for certain types of income in 2026

French minimum wage to increase by 2.4% on June 1, 2026

It follows rise on January 1 and keeps France’s rate among highest in EU

54% of French households did not pay income tax in 2025

Income tax brought in a record €95 billion last year despite most homes not paying any

A third of those eligible for French income support are not claiming it

Lack of information and social stigma behind low uptake

Here are the 2026 dates for French income tax payments and reimbursements

Updated tax notice in July or August will inform taxpayers of next steps

Hands,,Credit,Card,And,Waitress,With,Pos,At,Coffee,Shop

What would happen if Visa and Mastercard stopped operating in France?

Wero system is promoted by banks, although they are less keen on proposed ‘digital euro’

How to swap coins for supermarket vouchers in France

€46 million was exchanged via Coinstar terminals in 2025

Middle aged woman and man, both wearing glasses, looking at documents

Four tips for families making French income tax declarations

Households can benefit from a number of tax credits

Euro banknotes with an enlarged portrait from another banknote overlaid

French scientist Marie Curie among faces being considered for euro banknote redesign

The new notes will have two themes - nature and European culture

Will PIN codes for cards in France gradually disappear?

Use of new biometric technology is changing banking landscape

What monthly income makes you ‘rich’ in France? 2025 report

Think tank also highlights ‘middle class’ and median earnings

What are new ‘Cash Services’ ATMs in France?

Banks are pooling resources to improve ATM accessibility and reduce costs

Income tax declarations open in France: what's new in 2026?

We look at latest rules on holiday rentals, tax credits, avis d’impôt, social charges…

Magnifying glass zooming in on bank account figures

Should I declare interest on French bank account as an American?

Tax treaties can affect what authorities must be notified of

EV charging grants rise sharply for shared buildings in France

The scheme will support at-home charging in communal car parks, which is cheaper than using public service stations

France tax season scams: taxpayers warned over new phishing emails

Fraudsters exploit declaration period to trick people filing returns

South-west France motorway to adopt barrier-free tolls

The A69 linking Castres and Toulouse will be the first motorway in Occitanie to adopt the flux libre system

Bank transfers unavailable for four days over Easter in France

Plan ahead if you are planning any secure banking transfers

April and June tax deadlines for Americans living in France

Many citizens are exempt from paying tax in the US tax but most must still declare

Readers highlight issues with UK pension life certificates sent to France

Postal problems cited as one contributing factor; some readers offer solutions

France’s inflation rises slightly but remains one of the lowest in EU

The rate is the second lowest within the eurozone. See our chart for all EU countries

French gas prices: should you switch to a fixed deal before May rise?

Bills may increase by €200 per year due to increase in global gas prices

How best to grow your capital in France in the current financial climate

Making your capital work for you in the current financial climate

Can you be forced to pay your spouse’s debts in France? What the law says

An unnamed court ruled in favour of a creditor, ordering the wife to personally meet her husband’s liabilities

Trace forgotten French bank accounts with government tool

€164 million recouped in 2025 from old accounts

Official tool lets you estimate your French tax for 2025 income

Simulator can help taxpayers check what payments may be due later in year

A view of a fibre optic cable concept to show new internet technology

Grants for fibre internet open to all in France: how they work

Help with laying new cables for the high speed connection technology is available

2025 French income tax declarations open April 9, 2026

Declaration period usually runs six to nine weeks dependent on where the declarant lives

French authorities crack down on ‘cash-in-hand’ work practices

Cases involve property owners and home workers

Image of a piggy bank next to a water tap to show the cost of water

Water bills rise by up to 40% in parts of Normandy

It follows the installation of remotely-read meters to homes around Caen in Calvados. Authorities claim previous readings were incorrect

French forced heirship law: possible solution for some

Campaigners are turning towards marital legislation as a potential avenue

Unpaid bills led to a million electricity and gas ‘cut-offs’ in France in 2025

The number of accounts affected has risen by 79% since 2019

French family benefits drop: millions of households affected

Families to lose four years of higher payments for children

What changes for residents in France in March 2026

Major changes for drivers, hospital patients, and property owners

Map: How does France’s inflation compare to Europe’s in 2026?

EU finally reaches 2% target

Can I get a UK S1 form as pensioner in France?

Anyone in the country who claims a UK state pension is typically eligible to receive an S1 form

Two French banks must reimburse clients unjustified fees

The banks have also been fined a combined €9.2 million

More than a million people in France hit by bank account data breach

Account holders advised to check direct debits after cybertattack on national bank account register

World corruption: France better than US but worse than UK

High-level public figures in France have a ‘feeling of impunity’, the ranking says

Best value 2026 Michelin French restaurants: Are there any near you?

Four regions did especially well on this year’s Bib Gourmand restaurant list

Senators examine proposal to guarantee access to cash machines in rural areas of France

Some 18.6% of French communes had access to at least one local ATM in 2024

Departure board shows flight cancellations

France tightens reimbursement rules for flight delays or cancellations

New measures include mandatory mediation and new claim procedures

Many French supermarket loyalty card points expire soon – see dates here

Most points disappear between December and March

A view of a piggybank next to a water tap to show cost of water

Why water bills in France are set to rise

Part of the bill that pays for water cleaning and treatment is set to increase

Shop donations: Pays de la Loire and Corsica are France’s most generous regions

Almost €15 million was raised in 2025 via ‘round up’ donations at checkouts

Repayable-on-death equity release loans open again to non-EU retirees

Products have recently started being offered by bank group again after it paused them in 2019

France public transport fares should double, claims report to Transport Ministry

French passenger fares currently cover less than a fifth of the total service cost

French village creates new ‘no door-to-door sales’ sticker

Authorities have also brought in heavy sanctions for unwanted sales approaches

A woman looking exasperated at her computer

Financial mistakes newcomers to France make – and how to avoid them

Many wrongly assume that the rules broadly mirror those of their home country

French bank clients hit by double debits after computer bug

Problem affects thousands across several banking chains

A view of one person holding a US $50 bill and someone else holding a €50 bill

Euro reaches strongest exchange rate against the US dollar in five years

Strong euro spurs economic debate within the eurozone and in France

French income tax band changes for 2026 confirmed

The thresholds are usually updated each year in line with inflation, and apply to spring declarations (for 2025 income)

Foreign banks contact clients in France over new rules limiting services provided to EU residents

Some Connexion readers report banks in the Channel Islands having advised them that they are reviewing possible impact

How much people near you in France are saving each year

A new study shows that where you live makes a big difference to the amount you save