Practical money

Millions in France will see tax authorities take funds from their accounts next week

Income tax payments are taken via direct debit

Smartphone showing a banking security warning above a laptop and credit card

France fraud losses hit €1.24bn as ‘fake bank adviser’ scams soar

Increase in manipulation of individuals as modern technology fares well against scammers

Why French tax site is yet to fully implement two-factor authentication

Concerns as France has been hit by several cyberattacks this summer

practical

Explained: taxes and legal residence in France and the UK

International lifestyles can make the matter more complex

Explained: the rules for renting out a gîte in France

It remains a popular way to make extra income despite red tape

France’s pension reform suspension begins: who is impacted and how?

The suspension is in place until January 1, 2028

'It's my way of paying France back': the US retiree who embraced French fiscal fairness

Janice Wang's respect for the French approach to money led her to challenge a healthcare loophole benefiting fellow American retirees

France’s new e-billing rules can affect homeowners too

September deadline fast approaching for millions of businesses and self-employed traders

Travellers to Paris warned of poor exchange rates at airport currency exchanges

We offer tips to get the most value when exchanging your money

How a complex fraud caught out 1,000 clients of major French bank

Scammers ‘phished’ for information about Crédit Agricole customers’ local branches and then posed as staff

A view of the Revolut app ready to download on a smartphone screen

Revolut granted full French banking licence, can now offer expanded services

It is latest full licence granted to neobank following UK and Australia success

What changes in France this August for your budget?

Energy bills change for millions, savings accounts see new interest rates, and back-to-school grant paid out

Collage showing office documents, call centre staff, a gas stove being adjusted and a car refuelling at a Beyour petrol station.

What changes for residents in France in August 2026

Bills will change for millions of households, fuel scheme extends, and savings accounts see new rates

Tax declaration form, calculator and euro banknotes on a desk.

Americans in France: the investment traps that could cost you

Investing in France is possible, but can leave you out of pocket if done wrong

Can you manage your spouse’s finances in France if they lose mental capacity?

The practical and legal difficulties can sometimes come as an unpleasant surprise to foreign residents

Can I add my UK work years to a French pension?

Periods worked in Britain can still be taken into account by authorities

Are French electricity bills set to increase in August?

Increased usage charges will affect bills, but changes elsewhere may lessen impact

Screenshot of the French public finance website login page with help links and a tax payment section.

French income tax declaration: key upcoming dates

Online declarants must request paper version by June 15

Close-up of a hand holding a British passport with gold crest on the cover.

Why living in France but investing only in the UK creates risk

It is ill-advised to keep most of your money in one country

Reportages sur la communauté des Hérons : Ici le festival des deux mains au Solilab sur l'île de Nantes.Ici l'association Moneko et sa monnais locale.photo : Marc Roger

Does your French town have its own currency?

There are over 65 of them around the country

A view of a French healthcare charges summary letter

French social charges: who pays, how much, what’s new?

One charge increased for certain types of income in 2026

54% of French households did not pay income tax in 2025

Income tax brought in a record €95 billion last year despite most homes not paying any

A third of those eligible for French income support are not claiming it

Lack of information and social stigma behind low uptake

Here are the 2026 dates for French income tax payments and reimbursements

Updated tax notice in July or August will inform taxpayers of next steps

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What would happen if Visa and Mastercard stopped operating in France?

Wero system is promoted by banks, although they are less keen on proposed ‘digital euro’

How to swap coins for supermarket vouchers in France

€46 million was exchanged via Coinstar terminals in 2025

Middle aged woman and man, both wearing glasses, looking at documents

Four tips for families making French income tax declarations

Households can benefit from a number of tax credits

What monthly income makes you ‘rich’ in France? 2025 report

Think tank also highlights ‘middle class’ and median earnings

What are new ‘Cash Services’ ATMs in France?

Banks are pooling resources to improve ATM accessibility and reduce costs

Income tax declarations open in France: what's new in 2026?

We look at latest rules on holiday rentals, tax credits, avis d’impôt, social charges…

Magnifying glass zooming in on bank account figures

Should I declare interest on French bank account as an American?

Tax treaties can affect what authorities must be notified of

France tax season scams: taxpayers warned over new phishing emails

Fraudsters exploit declaration period to trick people filing returns

April and June tax deadlines for Americans living in France

Many citizens are exempt from paying tax in the US tax but most must still declare

France’s inflation rises slightly but remains one of the lowest in EU

The rate is the second lowest within the eurozone. See our chart for all EU countries

French gas prices: should you switch to a fixed deal before May rise?

Bills may increase by €200 per year due to increase in global gas prices

How best to grow your capital in France in the current financial climate

Making your capital work for you in the current financial climate

Can you be forced to pay your spouse’s debts in France? What the law says

An unnamed court ruled in favour of a creditor, ordering the wife to personally meet her husband’s liabilities

Trace forgotten French bank accounts with government tool

€164 million recouped in 2025 from old accounts

Official tool lets you estimate your French tax for 2025 income

Simulator can help taxpayers check what payments may be due later in year

2025 French income tax declarations open April 9, 2026

Declaration period usually runs six to nine weeks dependent on where the declarant lives

Image of a piggy bank next to a water tap to show the cost of water

Water bills rise by up to 40% in parts of Normandy

It follows the installation of remotely-read meters to homes around Caen in Calvados. Authorities claim previous readings were incorrect

Unpaid bills led to a million electricity and gas ‘cut-offs’ in France in 2025

The number of accounts affected has risen by 79% since 2019

What changes for residents in France in March 2026

Major changes for drivers, hospital patients, and property owners

Map: How does France’s inflation compare to Europe’s in 2026?

EU finally reaches 2% target

Can I get a UK S1 form as pensioner in France?

Anyone in the country who claims a UK state pension is typically eligible to receive an S1 form

More than a million people in France hit by bank account data breach

Account holders advised to check direct debits after cybertattack on national bank account register

Many French supermarket loyalty card points expire soon – see dates here

Most points disappear between December and March

Repayable-on-death equity release loans open again to non-EU retirees

Products have recently started being offered by bank group again after it paused them in 2019

A woman looking exasperated at her computer

Financial mistakes newcomers to France make – and how to avoid them

Many wrongly assume that the rules broadly mirror those of their home country

French income tax band changes for 2026 confirmed

The thresholds are usually updated each year in line with inflation, and apply to spring declarations (for 2025 income)

How to plan your finances for the year ahead in France

Finding a long-term strategy that safeguards your security through retirement

Interest rate for Livret A savings accounts in France to drop from February 2026

Lower inflation rate causes decrease

Banking fees in France: nearly €72 a year on average for low use in 2026

Account holders have seen fees increased at levels significantly above inflation

New ‘click to pay’ options to arrive for online purchases in France

Service will save card details on devices and avoid users having to enter details each time they wish to pay online

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I have received a second-home tax bill for my main home in France - what should I do?

Ensure the tax office has the correct personal details

Anthony Powell's net-zero house, exterior

How I managed to cut the cost of energy bills at my French home

Connexion reader Anthony Powell embraced renewable solutions in years-long renovation project

Commission votes to raise French income tax bands in boost for taxpayers

Measure still faces opposition

French tax payment due for nine million households. Will you get it?

Payouts average €600 and will soon be made directly to registered bank accounts

Interest payment dates for French tax-free savings accounts

Livret A savings accounts saw interest rates fall throughout year

French minimum wage to increase in January 2026

The ‘Smic’ will not be increased above legal minimum

Christmas gifts: from what sum must they be declared to French tax office

The process for declaration is moving fully online from January 2026

Senior couple looking at paperwork in front of a laptop

Why up to 200,000 households in France risk paying tax – or paying more – in 2026

Lack of a 2026 full budget has many implications

French government drops controversial VAT reforms for self-employed workers

Proposals will not be included in future budget discussions and current levels will remain in place

Six financial checks that every expat in France should do each January

A small amount of organisation now can save considerable stress later

A view of someone being handed a wad of euro banknotes to show pay

French officials publish reminder on when gifts require formal declaration

New online system will be in place from January 2026

Major IT failure hits French banks and La Poste

Personal online spaces and apps have been down since 6am

A view of a Father Christmas holding a piggy bank

France’s Christmas bonus: who receives it, and how much is it in 2025?

Around two million households are eligible for one-off ‘prime de Noël’ payment

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Can adult children be held responsible for the debts of their parents in France?

If the mother or father has died the situation can be complex

A piggy bank with an older person using a calculator in the background to show money

How long does it take to open a French bank account?

Opening a French bank account is quicker than you think

High-income top-up tax deadline for French households is December 15

Wealthy households must make advance payment before final amounts calculated via spring tax return

France’s key tax deadlines for December

Second-home owners must pay their taxe d’habitation this month

Piggy bank wearing a scarf on a radiator

Reduce temperature of French home by one degree to save money and even win gifts

One of several ways to reduce electricity usage – and bills – this winter

A view of someone paying with euro notes

French minimum wage: experts advise annual update for 2026 remain tied to inflation rate

1.4% rise expected to outstrip household cost increase – how does it compare to other countries?

Many French bank transfers delayed for four days over Christmas

European-wide closure of systems mean payments will not go through until December 28 at the earliest

Last few days remaining to modify 2025 tax declaration online in France

December 3 closing date for online correction service