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Day: 21 February 2025

France unveils new tax exemptions for money gifted to family members

by: Stephanie Horsman
21/02/2025
tax gift france

As of 15th February, financial gifts made between certain family members for the purchase of a new home or for energy renovation work are now exempt from gift tax under specific conditions. This follows the enactment of the 2025 Finance Act, which introduced this as a temporary, time-limited exemption scheme that will remain in effect until the end of 2026. Here’s more on how it works.

Under normal circumstances, monetary gifts are subject to taxation unless they fall under certain exceptions, such as birthday or wedding gifts. However, new provisions now allow tax-free financial gifts from family members, provided the money is used for property acquisition or energy-efficient home improvements.

Eligible donors include parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and aunts and uncles with no direct descendants. The exemption applies to donations made for the purchase of a new home, a property in the process of completion, or for energy renovation work on a primary residence. The renovations must qualify for MaPrimeRénov’, a government scheme supporting energy efficiency improvements.

HOW IT WORKS

To benefit from this exemption, the recipient must utilise the funds within six months of receipt. The tax-free amount is capped at €100,000 per donor, with an overall limit of €300,000 per beneficiary for real estate projects. For example, a person could receive €100,000 from their grandfather and €100,000 from their mother, both exempt from taxation, to finance the purchase of a home.

This exemption scheme will remain in effect until 31st December 2026. A similar initiative, which ended on 30th June 2021, allowed tax-free donations of up to €100,000 for home construction or energy renovations by direct descendants.

It is important to note that if the exempted funds are used to purchase a home, the recipient must either reside in it as their main home or rent it out as a primary residence for at least five years. Renting to a member of one’s tax household is not permitted under this scheme.

For more information, click here.

Read related:

Explained: France’s taxe d’aménagement for building works and renovations

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo credit: Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels 

Mimosa season is here, but not everyone can enjoy it

by: Niki Borisova
21/02/2025

February in the Côte d’Azur brings a dazzling display of golden mimosa, but for allergy sufferers, it also signals the start of a challenging season.

Covering the hills of Tanneron, the Croix des Gardes massif and beyond, the bright yellow flowers of the mimosa tree, or the Acacia dealbata to give it its scientific name, fill the air with their distinctive fragrance at this time of the year.

The Massif de Tanneron, home to the largest mimosa forest in Europe, provides stunning views over Mandelieu-La Napoule and the Mediterranean Sea. The nearby Croix des Gardes nature reserve in Cannes offers a variety of hiking trails through its mimosa-covered hills. There’s also the Route du Mimosa, a 130-kilometre scenic drive stretching from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Grasse, which is dedicated to the region’s iconic flower and offers numerous stops for those wanting to immerse themselves in the golden bloom.

A protected resource

Mimosa farming is the primary economic activity in Tanneron, a Var commune where the flower, native to southeastern Australia, has been cultivated for over a century alongside eucalyptus.

A longstanding municipal decree prohibits the public from harvesting mimosa, whether growing wild or in cultivated fields, with a fine of €35 for those caught, yet many still choose to flout these rules. Visitors to the area can often be seen collecting branches from roadsides, the forests and even local farms, and the authorities have decided to increase surveillance on the Massif de Tanneron in 2025, with police patrols, gendarmerie reservists and cameras now monitoring the area. Farmers, too, have reportedly taken action by setting up communal WhatsApp groups to report suspicious activity.

Their message is clear: mimosa belongs to someone, whether private property or the commune, and taking even a small branch is theft.

Not a bloom for everyone

While mimosa is a highlight of the winter season in the Côte d’Azur, it is also a major trigger for seasonal allergies. This year, France is experiencing a severe pollen alert, with much of the country currently under ‘red’ risk.

The PACA region and Monaco are among the most affected areas, as pollen from mimosa, along with cypress, juniper and ash, are widespread, causing symptoms such as itchy eyes, runny noses and respiratory discomfort to those with allergies. The National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA) warns that recent mild and windy weather has intensified the spread of pollen, making conditions especially difficult for sufferers.

Experts recommend limiting time outdoors for those with allergies during peak pollen spread, as well as rinsing hair and changing clothes after exposure, and wearing sunglasses or masks to reduce irritation. For those with severe allergies, sticking to prescribed treatments is essential during this high-pollen season.

But for those unaffected by allergies, the mimosa season offers breathtaking landscapes. It is also an undeniably beautiful signal that spring is on its way at last.

Check out a Monaco Life reel of the 2024 mimosa season below:

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo by Monaco Life

Exploring Mareterra: Monaco launches guided tours of its newest neighbourhood

by: Stephanie Horsman
21/02/2025

Over the coming weeks, the Monaco Government will offer those eager to learn more about the Principality’s newest neighbourhood, the eco-district of Mareterra, four exclusive opportunities to explore its vast public spaces. From a quartz-encrusted meditation zone to the gardens—each a masterpiece of green, urban planning—those on the guided tour experience will have a chance to discover the fascinating history, visionary design and ecological innovations that shaped this extraordinary development.

Boasting more than 800 trees and an astonishing 35,000 plants across 9,400 square metres of verdant landscaping, as well as five serene pools and a gently cascading channel, the look and feel of Mareterra is closely interwoven with the ecologically conscious and sustainable principles that guided the €2 billion project.

See more: Mareterra revealed: The story behind Monaco’s bold architecture

In a bid to showcase the finer details of the neighbourhood, the Monaco Government has announced that the Department of Urban Planning will be running a series of four guided tours of Mareterra. The first will take place on 26th February, followed by excursions on 5th, 12th and 19th March.

The goal of the tours is to show participants the extent of public offerings within the new neighbourhood, including the two striking attractions of the Blue Cave, an awe-inspiring space providing an unparalleled view inside a Jarlan caisson, and the Meditation Space, a place of tranquillity adorned with quartz, glass and metal that provides visitors with an environment conducive to reflection and serenity.

Mareterra is special not only for its beauty but also for its commitment to sustainability. The pioneering infrastructure includes an innovative irrigation basin that collects rainwater to nourish the lush greenery, as well as a stormwater reservoir designed to regulate runoff into the sea, mitigating environmental impact. This is but one of the elements of the design that will be explained in greater depth to participants of the tours, alongside many of the other challenges, innovative techniques and intricate craftsmanship that brought Mareterra to life.

Simply put, these walks are a unique opportunity to step behind the scenes of one of Monaco’s most ambitious projects and appreciate the expertise that transformed this vision into reality.

The tours will all begin at 2pm in the Place Princesse Gabriella, in front of Alexandre Calder’s striking Four Lances sculpture. For more information on how to sign up for a tour, click here.

Read related:

The mighty Mareterra: Prince Albert II inaugurates “his vision” of sustainable urban development

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo by Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

Monte-Carlo Fashion Week: a global platform for sustainable fashion

by: Niki Borisova
21/02/2025

Monte-Carlo Fashion Week will be making a grand return to catwalks and venues across the Principality in April with a full schedule of runway shows and industry talks that will promote the virtues of sustainability and inclusivity.

The 13th edition of Monte-Carlo Fashion Week (MCFW) is set to take place from 22nd to 26th April. Featuring a programme of runway shows, presentations, conferences and industry discussions, the event is recognised as Monaco’s official fashion platform and is used by local and international designers alike to promote important topics such as sustainability, circular fashion and diversity.

The 2025 edition of the event will showcase a range of resort, cruise and capsule collections, beginning with a catwalk of pieces from Italian designer Elisabetta Franchi and her Eternal collection at the Yacht Club de Monaco. Franchi prides herself on traditional craftsmanship and Italian fashion heritage. Other Monaco-based and international brands will follow this inaugural show, including Roberto Cavalli.

Previous editions of MCFW have drawn participation from globally recognisable designers and brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Alberta Ferretti, Tommy Hilfiger, Ermanno Scervino and Vivienne Westwood as well as industry figures including Federico Marchetti and Marco Bizzarri.

Federica Nardoni Spinetta, the president and founder of the Chambre Monégasque de la Mode and MCFW, says, “We are proud to support Monegasque brands while offering international designers and fashion personalities a prestigious platform in the Principality to present their collections and discuss the importance of sustainable and circular fashion.”

Beyond the runway MCFW 2025 will mark the 10th edition of the event’s Fashion Awards which champion designers and professionals for their contributions to ethical and innovative fashion. The event will also feature a Fashion Hub with presentations, discussions and a fashion symposium.

Read related:

Tatiana Casiraghi and daughter star in Muzungu Sisters’ new ethical fashion campaign

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo source: Monte-Carlo Fashion Week