https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from France in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed France’s social security is to reimburse the cost of reusable menstrual cups and underwear for women under the age of 26 or battling poverty, the government said. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260417/france-makes-reusable-period-products-free-for-young-women Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:07:52 +0200 france-makes-reusable-period-products-free-for-young-women Tax declaration season is now open and if you are in a couple, you might need to do a joint tax declaration - here's how this works. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250514/explained-joint-or-single-tax-declarations-in-france Wed, 14 May 2025 15:49:51 +0200 explained-joint-or-single-tax-declarations-in-france A French law firm is set to launch a class-action lawsuit against the country’s motorway operators, over what it claims is the 'potential illegality' of tolls at motorway péages. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260401/french-class-action-lawsuit-over-motorway-peage-charges Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:31:25 +0200 french-class-action-lawsuit-over-motorway-peage-charges Motorists everywhere are struggling in the face of spiking prices at the pumps because of the war in the Middle East — but how much should you expect to pay in France? https://www.thelocal.fr/20260327/how-expensive-is-petrol-in-france-right-now Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:27:46 +0100 how-expensive-is-petrol-in-france-right-now Following a meeting with the government, France's biggest oil company has announced a new price cap at fuel pumps through to the end of March. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260313/french-oil-giant-caps-petrol-prices-at-e1-99-until-the-end-of-march Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:32:37 +0100 french-oil-giant-caps-petrol-prices-at-e1-99-until-the-end-of-march Fuel prices in France are set to rise by ‘a few cents’ because of the war in Iran, but officials have said there is no risk of a supply shortage because of the country’s numerous import sources and stockpiles. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260304/fuel-prices-in-france-to-rise-a-few-cents-due-to-iran-war Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:25:38 +0100 fuel-prices-in-france-to-rise-a-few-cents-due-to-iran-war A Budget measure that prohibits professionals and businesses in France paying their taxes by cheque will be extended to individual tax payers from next year, according to reports. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260212/why-you-may-no-longer-be-able-to-pay-your-french-taxes-by-cheque-from-2027 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:39:43 +0100 why-you-may-no-longer-be-able-to-pay-your-french-taxes-by-cheque-from-2027 It's been the cause of endless political drama, but France's 2026 Budget is now passed - so here's what is in it and how it will affect your wallet. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260121/wealth-tax-property-grants-and-e1-meals-whats-in-france-2026-budget Wed, 21 Jan 2026 16:22:54 +0100 wealth-tax-property-grants-and-e1-meals-whats-in-france-2026-budget As France's parliament continues debating the draft 2026 budget, The Local looks at some of the measures that could - if the Budget passes - affect foreigners. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251111/five-measures-in-the-2026-french-budget-that-could-affect-foreigners-in-france Tue, 11 Nov 2025 13:02:43 +0100 five-measures-in-the-2026-french-budget-that-could-affect-foreigners-in-france If you plan to travel outside France - perhaps paying an extended visit to family in another country - you need to check the time limits if you are receiving any kind of social benefit, are claiming unemployment benefit, or are on parental leave. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251112/how-long-can-i-spend-outside-france-and-still-receive-benefits-or-parental-leave Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:33:02 +0100 how-long-can-i-spend-outside-france-and-still-receive-benefits-or-parental-leave New rules set a limit on the amounts French banks can charge for closing the account of a deceased loved one. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250822/france-caps-bank-charges-for-winding-up-a-dead-persons-accounts Fri, 22 Aug 2025 18:30:19 +0200 france-caps-bank-charges-for-winding-up-a-dead-persons-accounts Nearly four million households in France can expect to receive an annual means-tested ‘energy cheque’ to help cover the cost of winter heating bills in November – here’s how you can add your household to the list. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251017/are-you-eligible-for-frances-winter-energy-cheque Fri, 17 Oct 2025 16:51:06 +0200 are-you-eligible-for-frances-winter-energy-cheque French fiscal authorities will begin to take income tax payments from more than 13 million bank account holders on Thursday. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250924/why-the-french-taxman-might-raid-your-bank-account-on-thursday Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:14:25 +0200 why-the-french-taxman-might-raid-your-bank-account-on-thursday When completing various admin tasks in France, especially related to childcare, you're likely to be asked for your 'quotient familial' - here's what this is and where to find it. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250917/explained-what-is-frances-quotient-familial-and-when-do-you-need-it Wed, 17 Sep 2025 15:30:14 +0200 explained-what-is-frances-quotient-familial-and-when-do-you-need-it From January 1st, 2026, "the electricity conversion coefficient included in the DPE will be lowered [in France], in line with European standards" - here's what that actually mean for people who own property in France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250915/what-dpe-energy-rating-change-means-for-some-french-homeowners Mon, 15 Sep 2025 12:00:43 +0200 what-dpe-energy-rating-change-means-for-some-french-homeowners The French government will reintroduce a scheme to help less well-off households lease an electric vehicle at the end of September. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250827/france-reintroduces-subsidised-electric-car-scheme Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:14:53 +0200 france-reintroduces-subsidised-electric-car-scheme Anyone who made a mistake on their most recent French tax declaration can correct it online, without penalties. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250808/corrections-website-open-for-2025-french-tax-declarations Fri, 08 Aug 2025 18:25:20 +0200 corrections-website-open-for-2025-french-tax-declarations A green stamp, promising delivery to an address in France in three days will cost €1.52 from January 1st, La Poste has said, up from €1.39 currently. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250806/cost-of-a-stamp-in-france-to-rise-7-4-percent-in-2026 Wed, 06 Aug 2025 13:20:14 +0200 cost-of-a-stamp-in-france-to-rise-7-4-percent-in-2026 Since April 1st, the cost of buying a property in France has increased in some areas due to a provision in the 2025 budget allowing local authorities to increase their share of the 'notaire fee'. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250305/map-where-in-france-are-notaire-fees-going-up Wed, 05 Mar 2025 17:07:45 +0100 map-where-in-france-are-notaire-fees-going-up The French government has set up an online simulator allowing people to estimate the amount of income tax they are likely to pay. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250402/how-to-get-an-estimate-of-your-french-tax-bill Wed, 02 Apr 2025 18:52:08 +0200 how-to-get-an-estimate-of-your-french-tax-bill