2025, it's already tomorrow! And this new year is coming with its share of changes for the French. We'll take a look at the new features before wishing you “à l'an que vèn".
From January 1, 2025, new changes will enter the lives of the French in many areas. Housing, prices, benefits, children… We explain what will change starting tomorrow.
Unemployment insurance: new rules
François Bayrou barely arrived when he narrowly validated the new unemployment insurance rules. Senior unemployed people will benefit from a longer period of compensation: from 53 to 55 years old for 22.5 months and more and from 55 to 57 years old for 27 months and more.
On the other hand, “for operational reasons”, quotes France Info, most of the measures will not come into effect as of April 1. In addition, with the monthly payment of benefits, the unemployed will lose five days of compensation per year.
RSA beneficiaries registered with France Travail
The beneficiaries of the active solidarity income (RSA) will all be registered with France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi), starting Wednesday. This represents 1.84 million people. They will have to specify their social and professional integration objectives in a commitment contract.
Meal vouchers in supermarkets
The exemption allowing you to do your shopping with meal vouchers could not be extended due to the latest legislative setbacks. In principle, therefore, starting Wednesday, it will be forbidden to pay this way in supermarkets. But the budget vote at the beginning of the year should allow this question to be put back on the table.
A new health record
This iconic little notebook that gathers health information from birth is going to change. And in particular, it will adapt to customs by integrating a section dedicated to the dangers of screens for children and adolescents.
Retirement pension
The highly anticipated revaluation of retirement pensions is coming. Payments will be 2.2% higher. Pensions were to be lower, the government predicted in its 2025 budget. However, since the latter was not adopted, retirees will benefit from a more advantageous increase, indexed to inflation.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000Housing classified as G
All housing classified as “G” in its energy performance diagnosis, or DPE, will no longer be able to be rented. In order to encourage owners to renovate thermal sieves, the Climate and Resilience Act, adopted in 2021, provides that from January 2025, it will be impossible to offer them for rental.
And it's not over yet! Because from 2028, housing classified as “F” will also be excluded from the rental market. Also out, housing classified as “E” from 2034.
Gas price increase
The Energy Regulatory Commission, or CRE, has published its new benchmark grid for gas prices for the coming month. And this is bad news for consumers because it provides for the rate to rise to 0.146 euros including tax per kilowatt hour, compared to 0.1383 euros currently for use, cooking and hot water.
Regarding heating, the average price will rise from 0.112 euros including tax per kilowatt hour to 0.118 euros. Note that this CRE grid is indicative, suppliers are free to respect it or not, and consumers are free to play the competition.
Home savings plan
The interest rate will drop! For the first time since 2016, it will drop by half a point and reach 1.75%. The home savings plan is highly regulated and provides access to property purchases.
Two wheels
Starting this year, two-wheelers will no longer be able to drive between lanes. Inter-lane driving, already prohibited in some departments, ends this year. The aim is to protect drivers from this practice, which is considered risky.
Bike Bonus
The bonus for purchasing this low-polluting means of transport will disappear. Consumers have until February 14 inclusive to pay for their bike if they want to claim it. And this only applies to new or used cycles, purchased or rented before December 2, 2024.
Tobacco prices
As expected, the price of tobacco will increase again on January 1. From Wednesday, a pack of 20 cigarettes will cost 12.5 euros, according to the customs website. Variations exist from one reference to another. The famous “blondes” will not be the only ones affected since rolling tobacco, cigars and heated tobacco will also see their prices increase.
Sending a letter or parcel
To respond to inflation, as well as the drop in the number of mailings, La Poste has decided to increase its prices. Also, the Green Letter stamp will increase by 10 cents, while the Letter Service Plus stamp will be billed 16 cents more. The only one that will remain unchanged will be the Red Letter, which is now digital.
Caregivers
Starting Wednesday, caregivers – who provide assistance to people with disabilities – will be able to apply for the daily caregiver allowance (AJPA) a second time.
Also, once the first period of 66 days maximum has ended, they will be able to reapply to help another relative throughout their professional career, for a maximum of 66 days again.