Neighboring France: everything that changes from December 1

It’s almost a tradition in France: the start of the month often marks the entry into force of more or less important regulatory or tariff changes.

Cross-border workers and Swiss residents living on the other side of the border, discover below what will affect you in your daily life starting this Sunday.

Increase in gas prices

The benchmark price of gas has been on a roller coaster ride for several months in France: sometimes it rises, sometimes it falls.

In December, it will increase. There Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) indicates on its website that, for a cooking/hot water contract, the price including tax per average kWh will increase to 0.141 euros. For a heating contract, the price including tax per average kWh will increase to 0.112 euros.

Postponement of prescription on secure prescription of certain opioids

The prescription by secure prescription of medicines containing codeine or tramadol (opioids, painkillers), which was to come into force on December 1, 2024, is postponed to March 1, 2025, announces the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM).

“This additional time should make the transition to these new measures easier for healthcare professionals and ensure patients have access to their treatments,” explains the organization.

By requiring the prescription of these products on a secure medical prescription, the ANSM intends to “reduce the risks of misuse, dependence, abuse and overdose associated with them”.

End of mobile payment from Ma French Bank

On December 4, the Ma French Bank mobile payment service will be deactivated. The 700,000 customers of the La Poste group’s online banking will therefore no longer be able to pay for their purchases with their smartphone or via wallets (e-wallets) like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

This is what various French media report on their website, as well as bank customers on their X account (ex-Twitter).

The La Poste subsidiary is in the process of ceasing its activities. It must disappear definitively in 2025.

Last days to correct your taxes

On December 4, the online correction service for the tax return completed in 2024 for income received in 2023 (open on July 31) will no longer be available, reminds the French tax administration.

This service is reserved for users who have declared their income via the internet on impots.gouv.fr.

Deadlines for monthly payment of property and housing taxes

To adhere to the system of monthly payment of their property tax or their housing tax on second homes, taxpayers have until December 15 for the start of deductions in January, and until December 31 for the start of deductions in February (with catch-up of the January deadline), specifies the French tax authorities.

In addition, December 16 is the deadline for paying housing tax on second homes for taxpayers not using an electronic means of payment. The deadline runs until December 21 for those who intend to pay online, add taxes.

Opening the Parcoursup search engine

December 18 is opened the Parcoursup training search engine for 2025. It allows you to find out about courses, criteria for examining applications, tuition fees and even the dates of open days.

As a reminder, Parcoursup is the national pre-registration platform for the first year of higher education in France.

More expensive medical consultations

From December 22, the price of a consultation with a general practitioner will increase from 26.50 to 30 euros for adults, and from 31.50 to 35 euros for children under 6 years old, informs the French government.

For their part, specialist doctors will also be able to increase their prices. For example, the consultation with a pediatrician may increase between 0.5 and 1.50 euros depending on the case, while the visit with a gynecologist will increase from 33.50 to 37 euros.

And again

– On December 1st from 9:00 a.m., the Salève cable carshut down this November due to upkeep and maintenance, will be put back into operation.

– From 1^is December also, minimum hourly wage in the hotel and catering industry will be set at 12 euros, and not 11.88 euros as for the minimum wage.

– On December 13, the payment will be made Christmas bonus 2024. This aid is intended for beneficiaries of minimum social benefits in order to reduce their expenses for the end-of-year celebrations. Its minimum amount is 152.45 euros.

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Fabrice Breithaupt has been a journalist and PR editorial secretary since 1995. He deals with Franco-Swiss cross-border issues, but also real estate, employment and training.More info

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