Easyjet Strike on New Year’s Day Aims for ‘Zero Take-Offs’: News Digest 

A one-day EasyJet strike is planned for New Year’s Day, a new charge to exchange non-French driving licenses is announced, tougher penalties for excessive speeding have been introduced, the deadline to challenge possible taxe foncière bills is approaching, and new long-term residency permit requirements will take effect from 1 January 2026. Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week. 

Easyjet Strike on New Year’s Day Aims for ‘Zero Take-Offs’

A one-day strike by easyJet cabin crew based in France has been called for January 1, 2026, after a minority union urged colleagues to aim for ‘zero take-offs’ on New Year’s Day after annual negotiations with management broke down over ongoing scheduling problems and unstable rotas. The action could lead to flight cancellations and delays at major French airports, including Paris Orly, Charles‑de‑Gaulle, Nice, Bordeaux, Lyon and Nantes, especially on early departures, although a complete stoppage is considered unlikely at the moment without wider union support. 

Passengers travelling with Easyjet on that day are advised to check flight status closely via email or the airline app, as updates and possible revised schedules may be issued.

New Charge To Exchange Non-French Driving Licenses Announced

From January 1, 2026, drivers in France who need to exchange a non-French driving licence for a French one will have to pay a €40 administrative fee, something that was previously free. This charge applies to all licence exchanges, including mandatory swaps for new residents, renewals when an old non-French licence expires, and replacements after loss, theft or a driving offence. The French government said the fee is intended to help cover the costs of producing and delivering licences, and is expected to raise around €160 million in revenue. All residents using a non-French licence must eventually make the switch, with specific timelines and requirements depending on where the original licence was issued.

Tougher Penalties for Excessive Speeding Introduced

New road-safety rules that took effect on December 29 now classify excessive speeding, defined as driving more than 50 km/h over the posted limit, as a criminal offence rather than a simple traffic violation. Under the updated law, offenders can face a fine of up to €3,750, a possible three-month prison sentence, and a criminal record, replacing the previous lesser fine of €1,500. Existing penalties such as licence suspension, vehicle confiscation, six penalty points and long-term driving bans still apply, and there’s now also a ban on re-applying for a licence for three years if it has been cancelled. The government says the tougher approach is intended to curb dangerous driving and reduce fatalities on French roads.

Deadline to Challenge Taxe Foncière Tax Bill Errors Approaches

The deadline to contest any errors or incorrect calculations on your taxe foncière property tax bill is December 31 of the year following the year the tax was issued. People with potential errors in their bill must submit a réclamation (formal complaint) by this dateto challenge mistakes with the tax authorities. If you miss this deadline, your ability to have the assessment corrected or refunded is generally lost, even if there is a clear error on your bill.

Read more about French Property Taxes here.

New Long-Term Residence Permit Requirements Take Effect

As of January 1, 2026, France will introduce stricter requirements for individuals applying for long-term residence permits. Anyone seeking a first multi-year residence card (carte de séjour) must now not only meet French-language requirements (at least A2 level for the multi-year card and B1 for a 10-year card), but also pass a new civic knowledge exam covering French society, institutions and values. This test typically consists of a 40-question multiple-choice test with an 80% pass mark. These changes apply to permit and naturalisation applications submitted on or after that date and are intended to strengthen integration standards for non-EU nationals.

Read about navigating residency post-Brexit here.