New Tax Notices for Second Homeowners in ‘Zones Tendues’ : News Digest

Second-homeowners could face a 60% additional levy this month, a bill to tax ‘unproductive wealth’ passes its first round in parliament, the acclaimed HBO series ‘The White Lotus’ chooses France as the setting for its next season, France faces another heist attempt and a controversial bill to make ill people work from home instead of taking sick leave is proposed. Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week.

1600 Communes Facing Housing Shortage May Impose 60% Surcharge on Second Homes

France’s second-home property tax notice, taxe d’habitation, were released on November 3 and inhabitants must pay by December this year, unless they have chosen to pay in monthly instalments. The price itself has barely risen, but an increasing number of communes have decided to add the levy on second-homeowners due to housing shortages (zone tendue) in their area.

The taxe d’habitation, is based on the possible rental value of their second property, and local authorities apply a yearly set rate to this tax. However, in areas designated as zone tendues, an additional surcharge between 5-60% can be added to their bill. In 2025, 1,628 communes were classified as zone tendues, and 40% of them have opted for the maximum 60% surcharge. 

MPs Approve Replacing France’s Property Wealth Tax with a New ‘Unproductive Wealth’ Levy in First-Round Vote

On 31 October, MPs voted in favour of converting the impôt sur la fortune immobilière to the impôt sur la fortune improductive, which would widen the scope of tax to include luxury ‘non-productive assets’, as well as real estate. 

If approved, the new tax would include jewellery and precious metals, luxury vehicles, yachts, digital currencies and certain life insurance policies. Policies invested in unités de compte, which are linked to shares and market assets, will continue to be exempt.

The amendment to France’s wealth tax system narrowly passed this first stage, winning by 163 to 150 votes. The bill must pass the scrutiny stage, and could still be rejected by the Senate.

Hit Show ‘The White Lotus’ To Shoot Next Season in Paris and the French Riviera

HBO’s ‘The White Lotus’ is heading to France for its fourth season, following previous seasons set in Hawaii, Italy and Thailand. Creator Mike White will reportedly shoot primarily along the French Riviera, and will include a smaller subplot in Paris. 

While no hotels have been officially announced, the show has ended its long-standing partnership with the Four Season’s hotel group, leading fans to speculate that iconic hotels Le Lutetia or The Ritz could appear in the upcoming season. 

France Faces Second Major Attempted Robbery in Lyon

Police have arrested three thieves, who used explosives to break into a precious metals refinery in Lyon, leaving with over €12m in gold and metals. Following a police pursuit, three of the four suspects were arrested, and the stolen goods were recovered. The search for the remaining suspect is ongoing.

This incident comes after a now-infamous daytime heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris earlier this month. On 30 October, five more suspects were arrested for their involvement in the robbery, adding to the two others that were detained on 29 October, who have “partially recognised” their involvement in the brazen theft. 

Prescribe WFH not Sick Days, says MP

Stéphane Viry, an independent MP, has suggested doctors prescribing working from home as an alternative to sick leave to reduce health service costs and reignite economic productivity, ahead of its upcoming budget bill. The country’s social security budget, which includes its healthcare services, is projected to run at a €20bn deficit by 2028.

This proposition has been met with fierce opposition from left-wing parties, who believe politics should stay out of the doctor’s office. This controversial bill hopes to get people back to work faster who would need to renew sick notes with the GP every two weeks if they needed to take longer sick leave.

Lead photo credit : Pexels: Ill Woman Working From Home