Property Tax Dates, Swimming Fines and Health Costs: News Digest

Property owners can now note the key dates for 2026 taxe foncière bills, while taxpayers who made a mistake on their income tax declaration can use the online correction service. There are also new fines for ignoring swimming and water-sports bans, exceptional insurance measures for residents affected by the Gironde, Landes and Var wildfires, and changes coming to medication reimbursement rules from September. Meanwhile, residents can check a clearer annual Assurance Maladie statement, give their views on future euro banknotes, and prepare for higher postal prices from January.

Property tax dates confirmed for 2026

Property owners and usufruitiers in France can now note the key dates for 2026 taxe foncière bills. Notices will be made available online from the 27th of August for owners who are not paid monthly, and from the 19th of September for those who are paid monthly.

Paper notices will be sent between the 24th of August and the 21st of September for non-monthly taxpayers, and between the 21st of September and the 9th of October for monthly taxpayers. The payment deadline is the 20th of October for online payment, or the 15th of October for other payment methods where the bill is €300 or less.

Income tax correction service now open

The online correction service for 2026 income tax declarations is now open. Taxpayers who declared online, or validated their automatic declaration, can correct certain details through their espace Finances publiques until the end of November.

The service can be used to amend figures or boxes ticked in the declaration, but not to change details such as marital status, civil status, address, or the address of a student attached to the household. Once the correction is processed, a new tax notice will be issued and the household’s prélèvement à la source rate may be recalculated.

Ignoring swimming bans can now lead to a fine

People who ignore an official swimming or water-sports ban can now be fined. Since the 3rd of August, police can issue an amende forfaitaire where someone swims in a banned area, enters the water despite a red flag, or takes part in a banned nautical activity such as paddleboarding, canoeing or kayaking.

The new rule applies where a municipal or prefectural order, a red flag, or navigation police rules prohibit swimming or water-based activity. The offence is classed as a third-class contravention, which can reach up to €450 if the matter goes before the tribunal de police.

Exceptional insurance measures for wildfire victims

Residents affected by the major wildfires in Gironde, Landes and Var will benefit from exceptional insurance measures. France Assureurs has announced that claims for these fires can be declared until the 31st of August, extending the usual five-working-day deadline for a home insurance claim.

People who were ordered to leave their main home by the authorities may also be reimbursed for temporary accommodation costs, even if their property was not damaged. Reimbursement will depend on the conditions and limits of the insurance contract, and supporting documents should be kept.

Medication reimbursement rules to change from September

From the 1st of September, patients who refuse a pharmacist’s proposed substitution with a médicament biosimilaire or médicament hybride may lose the benefit of tiers payant. This means they may have to pay the full cost of the reference medicine upfront, before being reimbursed later by Assurance Maladie.

In some cases, reimbursement may also be calculated on the basis of the cheaper substitute rather than the reference medicine. The rule will not apply where the doctor has clearly stated on the prescription that substitution is not possible for medical reasons.

New annual health statement available through Assurance Maladie

Assurance Maladie has introduced a clearer annual statement to help insured residents better understand healthcare reimbursements and payments. The updated relevé annuel de prestations includes a more visual breakdown of health costs, reimbursements and amounts covered during the year.

The statement can also include reimbursements and payments relating to children attached to the insured person’s account. It is designed to make it easier for households to see what has been paid by Assurance Maladie and what remains payable by the patient or complementary insurer.

Public consultation opens on future euro banknotes

The European Central Bank is asking residents across the eurozone to give their views on future euro banknote designs. The consultation is open until the 21st of September 2026 and covers two proposed themes: European culture, and rivers and birds.

The current euro banknotes will remain valid and in circulation for several years. The consultation is part of a longer process to design a new series of notes with improved security, accessibility and environmental performance.

Postal and parcel prices to rise in 2027

La Poste has announced new postal tariffs from the 1st of January 2027, with letter and parcel prices set to rise. Service Public says postal prices will increase by 6.73% on average, while Colissimo prices for parcels sent by individuals will rise by an average of 4.1%.

The price of a 20g lettre verte will rise from €1.52 to €1.67, while a 20g international letter will increase from €2.25 to €2.45. The changes will be relevant for residents and second-home owners who still rely on post for official documents, international correspondence or parcel deliveries.

Commercial cold-calling ban comes into force this month

France’s new rules on commercial démarchage téléphonique come into force on the 11th of August. From that date, commercial cold-calling will be banned by default, unless the call relates to an existing contract or the consumer has clearly agreed in advance to be contacted.

Consent must be freely given, informed and based on a clear positive action. It cannot be renewed automatically, and consumers will be able to withdraw it at any time. Contracts signed after a call that does not follow the new rules will not be valid, and Bloctel will end once the ban takes effect.

Public-sector family absence rules updated for 2027

A new framework for autorisations spéciales d’absence will apply in the French public sector from the 1st of January 2027. The rules cover certain family and parental situations for civil servants and contract staff, including marriage or Pacs, bereavement, childcare, adoption procedures and some pregnancy-related appointments.

The measure is intended to harmonise rules across the public sector. It does not affect annual leave, but it will be relevant for residents working in French public administration, education, healthcare or local authority roles.

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