Health: more expensive consultations from December 2024
From December 22, 2024, the price of a consultation with a general practitioner will increase. Now set at €30, compared to €26.50 previously, this increase will amount to €35 for children under six years old, compared to 31.50 euros. This change is part of the agreement signed between Health Insurance and private doctors on June 4, 2024. Specialists, in particular pediatricians and neurologists, will also see their prices increased.
Another key measure: from December 1, Medicines containing codeine, tramadol or their derivatives must be prescribed using secure prescriptions. These prescriptions, limited to 12 weeks, aim to reduce the risk of dependence.
Good news for beneficiaries of RSA and certain allowances: the Christmas bonus will be paid from December 13. The amounts vary depending on the composition of the household, starting at €152.45 for a single person without children. This boost will allow many households to meet end-of-year expenses.
As for employees in the hotel and catering industry, an increase in salaries will come into force, according to a decree of November 5, 2024 published in the Official Journal of November 9, 2024. The minimum hourly rate will increase to €12, thus exceeding the current minimum wage set at €11.88.
Rising energy costs and eliminated aid
The price of gas continues to rise. According to the Energy Regulatory Commission, the kWh price will increase by 2.8%, bringing the average price to €0.1124. An increase which will increase the bills of households heated with gas, in the heart of winter. This is the sixth time this has increased in 2024.
For the inhabitants of Île-de-France, more bad news is looming: the cessation of regional aid for the purchase of clean vehicles. This system, which can cost up to €9,000, disappears from December 1, complicating the acquisition of less polluting models for low-income households.
The French have until December 4, 2024 to correct their 2024 income tax return online. After this period, it will be impossible to rectify unintentional errors. In addition, December 16 marks the deadline for paying housing tax on second homes and vacant housing.
On the education side, the Parcoursup platform will open on December 18, 2024. Future students will be able to discover the training available, the admission criteria and professional opportunitiesallowing them to better anticipate their choices for the 2025 school year.
Parcoursup will open its doors!
For foreign students wishing to join a French university at the start of the 2025 academic year, the deadline is approaching. Those from countries outside the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, holders of a foreign secondary school diploma, must submit their prior admission application (DAP) before December 15. After this deadline, no registration in the first year of the license will be possible.
On the energy side, December 31, 2024 marks the end of assistance for the installation of a connected thermostat. This subsidy, of up to €624, aimed to encourage more efficient and economical heating solutions. Due to observed abuses, the system is canceled, but new aid should emerge soon to pursue this ecological objective.
