Property Tax, Residency Paperwork and Renovation Changes: News Digest

Tax and relocation updates lead the France headlines this week, with new reminders on taxe foncière exemptions, an upcoming impôt sur la fortune immobilière deadline and updated guidance for residency and citizenship applicants preparing for France’s civic knowledge requirements. Property buyers planning renovation work should also note changes to MaPrimeRénov’, while families moving to France can check university fee levels for the 2026-2027 academic year. There are also updates on electronic invoicing for French businesses, Eurostar disruption and new comparison tools for families choosing an Ehpad.

Some property owners may qualify for taxe foncière relief

Property owners and usufruitiers in France should watch for their 2026 taxe foncière bills, with notices arriving from late August. However, Service Public has also reminded owners that exemptions and reductions may apply in certain cases.

Some people receiving allocation de solidarité aux personnes âgées or allocation supplémentaire d’invalidité can be fully exempt, while over-75s and people receiving allocation aux adultes handicapés may also qualify if their income is below the relevant threshold. A €100 reduction may apply to some owners aged between 65 and 75, again subject to income conditions.

For more on how these local property taxes work, read our guide to French Property Taxes: Taxe d’Habitation and Taxe Foncière, or check key dates in our France Tax Calendar 2026.

Impôt sur la fortune immobilière payment deadline approaching

Some property owners liable for impôt sur la fortune immobilière, or IFI, should note the upcoming payment deadlines. According to the French tax calendar, taxpayers whose IFI payment deadline is the 15th of September have until the 31st of August to sign up for prélèvement à l’échéance.

For those paying online by internet, smartphone or tablet, the payment deadline is the 20th of September where the tax notice gives a 15th September due date. This will be relevant to higher-value property owners whose French real estate assets exceed the IFI threshold.

New Livret du Citoyen useful for residency and citizenship applicants

Anyone preparing for a French residency card, resident card or naturalisation application should make sure they are using the latest version of the Livret du Citoyen. The official handbook sets out the civic knowledge and values that applicants may need to understand for France’s integration and citizenship processes.

This is especially important because civic knowledge requirements have become more formalised in 2026 for some applicants, including those applying for a carte de séjour pluriannuelle, carte de résident or French nationality. For more background, read our explainer: What is the Livret du Citoyen? Essential Reading for French Citizenship & Residency Applicants.

MaPrimeRénov’ to exclude some major renovation projects

From the 1st of September, some major renovation projects will no longer be eligible for MaPrimeRénov’ support if the works leave a gas heating system in place after completion.

The change affects the Parcours accompagné route for major renovations in individual houses and is intended to prioritise projects that move households away from fossil fuels. Buyers planning to purchase a renovation property should check the heating system and likely funding options before relying on grant support in their budget. For a broader overview, see our guide to France’s Property Renovation Grants or MaPrimeRénov’.

University fees confirmed for the 2026-2027 year

University registration fees for 2026-2027 have been confirmed. In public higher education, the standard annual fees are €178 for a licence, €255 for a master, €398 for a doctorate, and €2,620 for an engineering diploma, with exceptions for some older engineering courses.

Non-European students face higher differentiated fees in many cases: €2,902 per year for a licence and €3,950 for a master. This is particularly relevant for British and other non-EU families budgeting for study in France from the autumn. For wider guidance on visa and residency planning, see our Complete Guide to French Visas.

Electronic invoicing begins for French businesses

Businesses established in France and subject to VAT will enter a new phase of electronic invoicing from the 1st of September. Large companies and mid-sized companies will need to issue electronic invoices, while all companies, including SMEs and micro-businesses, must be able to receive them.

This is relevant for anyone running a French business, setting up as self-employed after moving to France, managing a gîte or holiday-let business, or working with French suppliers. Businesses must use a state-approved platform or compliant solution under the new system.

Eurostar warns of French network cancellations

Travellers between the UK and France should check Eurostar bookings carefully for the end of August and early September. Eurostar’s travel updates currently list cancellations on the French network between the 31st of August and the 7th of September because of engineering works.

Anyone travelling to France for property viewings, late-summer holidays or the school and university rentrée should check their train status before departure and allow extra flexibility if connecting with onward travel.

New comparison indicators added for Ehpad choices

Families comparing care-home options in France now have access to three new quality indicators in the official Ehpad directory. Since August, the directory has included staffing-related information such as care staffing levels, staff absenteeism and staff turnover.

The update is useful for older residents, retirees moving to France, and families supporting elderly relatives. It adds to existing information such as prices, room types, services, medical support and places eligible for aide sociale à l’hébergement.

Lead photo credit : Shutterstock