€9.2bn To Be Invested in France: News Digest

France has secured billions in new business investments, budget airlines are preparing to cut regional routes, MPs are moving ahead with new fast-fashion import taxes, the government has refused further flight-tax increases, and unions are planning a strike over the 2026 Budget. Here are the headlines from France this week.

Millions of employees have been affected by cyberattacks which have rendered some services and websites unusable, including our CloudFlare. So if you have had any difficulties navigating our sites we apologise and hope all our services will be up and running again tomorrow!

France to Receive €9.2 Billion in Business Investments

On Monday, France’s finance ministry (Le ministère de l’Économie, des Finances et de la Souveraineté et numérique) has announced that companies have pledged to invest €9.2bn into France, showing that recent political turmoil hasn’t deterred business investors turning to Europe’s second largest economy.

Budget Airlines cut French Route Services in Summer 2026

Budget airline Ryanair has announced they will reduce the number of services to French regional airports in 2026, due to airport tax increases. The low-cost carrier Wizz Air will also begin to reduce its French routes departing from Gatwick, and focus on more profitable routes from London’s Luton Airport. The exact routes being discontinued have not yet been announced, so if you’re planning on moving to France don’t rely on regional airline routes which may be subject to future changes.

French Unions to Strike Over Budget Plans

The proposed 2026 Budget on December 2 could be disrupted by union protests, after leaders issued a single-day strike call in protest to the proposed financial plans. It is not clear how well-supported the strike will be or if there will be any closures or reductions across services, although France’s largest union, the CTDT, will not join the action. 

France Refuses to Further Increase Flight Taxes

France has rejected to increase its flight tax (taxe de solidarité sur les Billets d’Avion / TBSA) during the UN COP30 climate summit being held in Brazil until this Friday. The French government already tripled this tax in March, leading to an extra cost of €4.77 per ticket for domestic or European flights and up to €120 for business-class travel on long-haul routes. The hike applies to private aviation as well, where passengers now face taxes between €207.37 and €2,097.37.

France to Impose New Fast-Fashion Import Taxes Ahead of EU-Wide Rollout

From January 2026, a €2 fast-fashion import tax will be introduced on budget retailers, before the measure comes into force EU-wide in 2028. The French parliament will debate imposing an additional €5 environmental levy on discount retailers, like Temu and Shein, which could rise to €10 per package by 2030.

Read more on the costs you can expect when receiving a parcel in France here.

Lead photo credit : Shutterstock