Starting January 1, 2026, France implements a range of measures impacting personal finances, housing, transport, and the environment, amid the lack of an adopted state budget. Key adjustments include a 0.9% increase in basic pensions, the suspension of the MaPrimeRénov’ scheme, and price rises for gas and postal packages.
January 1, 2026, ushers in various reforms across France without a finalized state budget, following the adoption of a social security financing law on December 16 of the previous year.
In housing and energy, the MaPrimeRénov’ program remains suspended indefinitely, as announced by Housing Minister Vincent Jeanbrun on December 21, due to dossier overload and excessive fraud. A new energy performance diagnostic (DPE) calculation method applies, lowering the electricity coefficient to match European standards; existing DPEs stay valid for ten years. The benchmark gas price rises by 0.59 centimes to 136.88 euros per megawatt-hour.
On taxes and savings, unusual cash gifts between individuals – exceeding 2% of the donor's assets or 2.5% of annual net income – must be declared online, covering jewelry, vehicles, and shares. Housing savings plans (PEL) opened in 2026 yield 2% gross, up from 1.75% in 2025.
For pensions and work, basic pensions rise by 0.9%, below the projected 1.3% inflation. Agricultural pensions now use the 25 best career years. The minimum wage increases by 1.18%, bringing the net monthly amount to 1,443.11 euros.
Transport fares see the Île-de-France monthly Navigo pass increase by 2.3% to 90.80 euros. Postal rates average a 7.4% hike, with a green letter at 1.52 euros and Colissimo up 3.4%. Packs of 20 cigarettes average 13.50 euros.
Additional measures enforce gender parity in ministerial cabinets, end lifetime perks for former prime ministers after ten years (car, driver, security), allow farmers to shoot wolves defending herds without prior approval, ban microplastics in rinse-off cosmetics, and activate the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism to tax polluting imports.
