The increase in retirement pensions
Good news for retirees! Retirement pensions will be revalued on January 1, 2025, with an increase visible from February. This increase follows the legal rule of indexing pensions to inflation which is included in the Social Security Code, implemented at the start of the year. This annual revaluation will be up to 2.2%, which is “linked to mechanical indexation on the basis of inflation observed (in 2024) by the National Institute of Statistics (Insee)”, specifies the Ministry of Budget and Public Accounts. 17 million retirees are affected. For a basic pension of 1,400 euros for example, the increase applied is equivalent to an additional 30 euros per month.
The price of medical consultations increases
Less good news this time, since December 22, 2024, you have had to pay a little more money to your health practitioners. Don't worry, the costs are always reimbursed by Health Insurance and complementary health insurance (mutual insurance). The consultation with the general practitioner thus increases from €26.50 to €30. Certain specialties also benefit from this increase: the consultation with the gynecologist goes from €33.50 to €37, for example, that with the psychiatrist goes from €51.70 to €55, and that of the geriatrician from €31.50 to €37. €. The Amélie.fr site warns that a second wave of revaluation will take place on July 1, 2025. The objective is to repopulate doctors' offices, because according to Santé Académie: The number of general practitioners has been decreasing every year since 2012 but it is is for specialists that we will experience a real rupture in 2024: there will be 174 specialist doctors per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 190 in 2023. This decrease in the number of doctors per capita is due to a jaws effect.”
A new vaccine for babies
Concerning our toddlers, one vaccine has just been added to the list of compulsory vaccines, while one of the others has just been replaced. As of January 1, 2025, 12 vaccines will be required. This new injection will aim to prevent meningitis. A decree relating to compulsory vaccination has also been put in place. According to the Ministry of Health in a press release published on December 19, “this evolution of vaccination obligations follows the recommendations of the High Authority of Health”, after an increase in cases of meningitis. Vaccination against meningococcus C which was compulsory is replaced by that against meningococci ACWY.
Single fare in Parisian transport
Gone is this universal hassle, when you spend endless time looking for the miracle recipe to travel between Paris Gare du Nord and Charles de Gaulle Airport without risking unintentional fraud. We don't want these zone stories anymore. And it seems that France Mobilités doesn't either: the zones are disappearing in favor of a single ticket. Until now, the price varied between €2.15 to more than €5 the further you went from the capital. From now on, the fare will be €2.50 for metros/RER/trains, and €2 for buses and trams. As a bonus, from January 1, all Ile-de-France transport tickets will be available on smartphones.
EPZs are becoming more widespread
Low-emission zones (ZFE), already in place in cities like Paris, Marseille or Lyon, are extending to new cities. Objective: to reduce air pollution linked to road traffic, in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). From January 1, 2025, all urban areas with more than 150,000 inhabitants exceeding pollution thresholds will have to establish an ZFE. In practice, this concerns 42 cities in France, including Nantes and Angers. From this date, diesel cars over 14 years old and gasoline vehicles over 19 years old (Crit'Air 3) will no longer be allowed to drive in these zones. Some cities, such as Le Mans, are currently exempt from this obligation, thanks to local measures already put in place to limit pollution.
Restaurant vouchers can no longer be used at the supermarket
Shopping at the supermarket using your meal vouchers will no longer be possible from January 1, 2025. Initially planned as a temporary measure in 2022 to facilitate the purchase of food products, the exemption expires on December 31, 2024. A glimmer of hope nevertheless remains: at the end of November 2024, the National Assembly voted for a two-year extension. But to come into force, this decision must still be validated by the Senate. The political calendar, disrupted by the fall of Michel Barnier's government, delayed the process. However, a vote is planned on the senatorial agenda for January 15, 2025.
RSA beneficiaries all registered with France Travail
From January 2025, all beneficiaries of Active Solidarity Income (RSA) will be automatically registered with France Travail. Currently, only 40% of beneficiaries are. This reform is accompanied by the introduction of an “engagement contract”, which will define social and professional integration objectives. With this system, 1.2 million additional people will be registered as job seekers, including 200,000 young people in the integration process in local missions.
