the essential
From January 1, 2025, many new features will come into force, impacting the daily lives of individuals and businesses. Tightening of RSA rules, new conditions for unemployment, evolution of ZFEs… Here is an overview of the main changes.
The year 2025 begins with its share of reforms and new features which will affect both individuals and businesses. From strengthening the rules concerning RSA and unemployment to the evolution of low-emission zones (ZFE), including changes in administrative formalities and meal vouchers, these measures aim to respond to economic, social and environmental. Discover in detail the main changes coming from 1is January.
2.2% increase for all retirement pensions
Basic pensions will be increased by 2.2% on 1is January 2025, up to inflation. This is what the Minister of the Economy indicated on December 10. This announcement results from the motion of censure voted against the government on December 4. As the 2025 Social Security budget has not been adopted, the classic rule for revaluing pensions set out in the Social Security code applies.
Tightening of RSA rules
Automatic registration with France Travail:
RSA beneficiaries will now be automatically registered with France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi). Current beneficiaries will not have to take any action, but new beneficiaries will have to complete an online questionnaire.
Obligations accrues :
A personalized assessment and the signing of an employment contract will be required. Recipients will have to devote 15 hours per week to integration activities under penalty of sanctions.
New unemployment compensation rules
Modification of age levels:
The age to benefit from a longer period of compensation has been raised:
- From 53 to 55 years old for 22.5 months of compensation.
- From 55 to 57 years old for 27 months.
Cross-border workers:
Compensation will be recalculated on more restrictive bases for cross-border workers (those who live in France but who cross the border to go to work, for example in Switzerland or Luxembourg).
Relaxations for seasonal workers:
Only 5 months worked out of 24 will be enough to receive unemployment (compared to 6 months previously).
Tobacco prices will increase in 2025
Au 1is January 2025, the selling prices of tobacco products will increase. This is what is provided for in a decree published in the Official Journal on December 10, 2024. It approves the retail prices, in mainland France, of manufactured tobacco. The increase differs between manufacturers and products. It can go up to €1 on a classic 20-unit pack of cigarettes. The €12 mark for a pack of cigarettes is thus crossed. Cigarettes, but also cigars, heating tobacco and packets of rolling tobacco are affected.
Restriction des tickets-restaurant
Limited eligible products and reduced daily cap:
To combat inflation, the use of meal vouchers had been expanded to enable the purchase of food products that were not directly consumable, such as pasta or a bottle of vinegar. However, the measure has not yet been renewed for 2025. Thus:
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Only products that can be consumed immediately (sandwiches, tomatoes, ready meals) will be eligible.
- The usable amount will return to 19 euros compared to 25 euros previously.
Modification of the health record
Addition of a section dedicated to screens:
The health notebook will include pages with advice and measures to regulate children's screen time.
Increase in medical consultations:
The price of consultations with the general practitioner has increased from 26.50 euros to 30 euros since December 22, following the negotiations in June 2024.
Two new compulsory vaccines for infants
From 1is January 2025, vaccination against meningococcal ACWY and B infections becomes compulsory for infants. Vaccination against meningococcus C, already compulsory, will be replaced by that against meningococcus ACWY, while vaccination against meningococcus B, hitherto strongly recommended, also becomes compulsory.
This change in vaccination obligations follows the recommendations of the High Authority of Health.
Business administrative formalities
One-stop shop:
The one-stop shop for formalities will become the exclusive entry point for all administrative procedures for businesses.
Quarterly contributions:
Concerning companies with fewer than 11 employees wishing to pay their contributions quarterly, they must opt before December 31.
New courts for companies in difficulty
Economic activity courts:
These courts will replace the commercial courts to handle all procedures related to companies in difficulty.
Evolution of mobility payment rates
Modification of the scope and rates:
Employers hiring more than 10 employees will see biannual adjustments to finance public transport. You can find all the changes here.
End of exemption for hybrid vehicles
Tax CO2 :
Hybrid vehicles will no longer be exempt from the annual tax on CO emissions2. This same tax will also increase for company vehicles registered since March 2020.
Low Emission Zones (ZFE)
Extension des restrictions :
Crit'Air 3 cars will be banned in the ZFEs of Paris, Lyon, Montpellier and Grenoble, excluding diesel vehicles registered before 2011 and gasoline vehicles before 2006.
Strengthening technical inspection of vehicles
New standards:
Controls will include more advanced technologies to detect fraud and strengthen verification of security elements.
End of the experiment on inter-lane traffic for motorized two-wheelers and three-wheelers
The experiment in inter-lane traffic for motorized two-wheelers and three-wheelers set up in 2021 and which was to end in August 2024, had once again been extended until December 31, 2024. But since the censorship of Michel Barnier, the new Bayrou government has not yet issued a new decree to extend the experiment by a few weeks or months.
