A raft of new rules, rights and schemes will come into effect in France on 1st January 2024. Here are all the details.
At the beginning of each month, the French government releases a list of the latest measures that will be coming into effect either on the first day of the month or over the coming weeks.
As the start of January also marks the start of a new year, the number of new regulations is particularly high this time round, with changes on everything from employment and the environment to road safety, personal health and housing.
EMPLOYMENT
A few new things are coming into play on the work front, including a 1.13% hike in the minimum wage. This will give full-time workers who receive the SMIC an extra €15 net per month. Whilst this may not seem substantial, this rise is a follow up from a 2.2% raise given back in May 2023.
See more: Minimum wage in France to increase from start of 2024
Interns will also enjoy a bit more cash in hand, as their bonuses will hit €4.35 per worked hour, up from €4.05.
The Pôle Emploi job centres will get a name change in 2024 to become France Travail. You can read more about the rebrand here.
Working women who suffered a miscarriage will benefit from immediate paid sick leave as of 1st January, removing the previous rules of a “jour de carence” or day without pay.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
From January, it will be obligatory for individual households to sort their bio-waste. This means that mixing general household waste and food waste will no longer be allowed, with bio-waste requiring a separate container, such as a designated compost bin for home use or a sorting bin for collection.
See more: Composting revolution coming to France in 2024
The government is expanding its scheme to help households repair certain items rather than buying new by doubling the incentives paid out on five everyday machines: washing machines, dishwashers, clothes dryers, vacuum cleaners and televisions. Accidental breakage repair, which was excluded previously from the scheme, is now included. Find out more by clicking here.
There will also be a new scheme allowing households with modest incomes the possibility of getting long-term leases on electric vehicles for €100 per month. For complete terms, click here.
See more: France: New €100 per month “social leasing” programme to widen access to electric vehicles
ROAD SAFETY
Under new road rules, 17-year-old drivers will be allowed to take their practical exam for Category B vehicles in 2024. This type of permit allows people to drive vehicles up to 3,500kg and with up to eight passenger seats, as well as tow a trailer weighing up to 750kg. This permit was previously only available to drivers aged 18 and older.
There will also be changes to how minor speeding infractions are dealt with. For example, Drivers going less than 5km/h over the speed limit will no longer lose points from their licences, but they will still be eligible for the usual fines, which range from €68 to €135.
See more: Minor speeding infractions in France will no longer lose drivers points in 2024
HOUSING
The elderly and disabled will be given increased access to financial assistance for important adaptation works to their homes, such as stairlifts and the widening of doors for wheelchair users, via the MaPrimeAdapt’ scheme.
January will also see the introduction of a new scheme that could see owners of second homes or vacant properties in rural areas paid up to €5,000 to rent out their places in an effort to ease housing shortages in certain parts of the country. More details on the Prime pour la Mise en Location scheme are expected to be announced soon.
JUSTICE
Finally, the government is introducing new help and support centres for victims of domestic violence at all of France’s tribunals and courts to “guarantee coordinated and rapid action by all judicial actors and their partners”.
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Photo source: Grégory Palmer, Unsplash