Each start of the month is synonymous with new developments in the daily lives of the French. Health, energy or even salary… Here is everything that changes on December 1, 2024.
While the month of November observed an increase in the minimum wage or the start of the winter break, December 2024 will also be entitled to its changes. Prescriptions for medicines, purchasing power and even energy will be at the heart of the news for the daily lives of the French.
the increase in consultation prices
On the health side, the month of December will see several changes. It starts with the increase in the price of a doctor's visit. Currently set at 26.50 euros, the latter will increase to 30 euros from December 22, 2024. For children under 6 years old, the price will be 35 euros, compared to 31.50 euros at present.
This system comes within the framework of the agreement signed between Health Insurance and private doctors on June 4, 2024. Prices for specialists such as pediatricians, psychiatrists, neurologists and even geriatricians will also increase.
a secure prescription for codeine and tramadol
To protect patients from dependence, these two medications – already prescribed on prescription – will only be prescribed on a secure prescription from December 1st.
Thus, “medications containing tramadol, codeine and dihydrocodeine, alone or in combination with other substances (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), will be dispensed only on presentation of a secure prescription. The prescriber must have written in full: the dosage, the dosage and the duration of treatment,” specified the authorities. The duration of this prescription for codeine will be reduced to 12 weeks, as for tramadol.
a salary increase in the hotel industry
According to a decree dated November 5, published in the Official Journal of November 9, the salaries of employees in the hotel and catering industry will be increased (the increases will be different depending on the categories).
Thus, from December 1, and as reported on the Journal L'Hôtellerie Restauration website, “the minimum salary which must be paid to employees is the conventional minimum of step 1 of level I set at 12.00 euros and not the hourly minimum wage rate of 11.88 euros which is now lower than this conventional minimum.”
the end of this assistance for the purchase of a car
Bad news for residents of Île-de-France. In fact, the region is preparing to put an end to a system which allowed easier access to a “clean” vehicle. This aid, which could reach 9,000 euros, will therefore no longer be granted.
As a reminder, this measure calculated according to the reference tax income of the household, concerned “individuals living in the departments of Seine-et-Marne (77), Yvelines (78), Essonne (91) or Val-d'Oise (95), but who do not live in the following 7 municipalities: Argenteuil, Athis-Mons, Juvisy-sur-Orge, Morangis, Paray-Vieille-Poste, Savigny-sur-Orge, Viry-Châtillon.”
the price of gas on the rise
Prices that continue to rise. According to the CRE, or Energy Regulatory Commission, the benchmark sales price of gas will increase by 2.5% on average for December 2024. For example, the price of kWh for heating will drop from 0.1093 to 0. €1124, or 2.8% increase.
This is the sixth time this rate has increased in 2024.
