Rail Strikes, Water Restrictions and Property Declarations: News Digest

The final income tax deadline has now passed, cardboard transport tickets have been phased out on the Île-de-France rail network, and property owners are being reminded to update their biens immobiliers declaration by the 30th of June. There are also updates on water restrictions, drought-related cracks, damaged banknotes, and France’s residency card renewal process. Meanwhile, travellers can expect SNCF disruption on the 10th of June, possible EES delays this summer and a planned Paris airport strike later this month. Here are the France headlines you need to know this week.

Final income tax deadline has passed, but corrections are possible

The final online deadline for 2026 income tax declarations, covering income received in 2025, was the 4th of June. Earlier deadlines applied in May for paper declarations, non-residents and other departments.

Anyone who has spotted an error after filing should be able to use the online correction service once tax notices are available, with the correction window expected to run from the beginning of August to the end of November 2026. You can read about what you should do if you’ve made a mistake here.

Cardboard transport tickets phased out on the Île-de-France rail network

Paper cardboard tickets are no longer accepted on the Île-de-France rail network from the 1st of June, except for certain tickets to stations outside the region. Cardboard tickets had already been phased out on buses and trams from the 1st of May.

Travellers are now encouraged to use alternatives such as Navigo Easy, smartphone ticketing or Navigo Liberté+.

Water restrictions now affect more than 20 departments

As summer approaches, water restrictions and vigilance warnings are spreading across France. As of the 8th of June, seven departments had water restrictions in place, while a further 14 were under vigilance warnings.

The affected departments include Creuse and Hérault at alerte level, Ain, Ardennes and Indre at alerte renforcée, and Loiret and Pyrénées-Orientales at crise level. Residents and second-home owners should check local rules through VigiEau, as restrictions can vary by commune.

Major French rail strike expected on the 10th of June

Travellers are being warned of significant SNCF disruption on the 10th of June, with the national rail strike expected to affect TGV, TER, Intercités, Transilien and RER services. Around one-third of high-speed TGV services are expected to be cancelled, including both InOui and Ouigo trains. Passengers are advised to check their train before travelling and to look out for updates from SNCF.

EES delays warning for summer travellers

An airline body has warned that the EU’s Entry/Exit System could lead to queues of up to six hours at some EU borders this summer, as biometric checks increase processing times. The warning is relevant for non-EU travellers heading to France and the wider Schengen area, including Brits and Americans. Travellers should allow extra time at borders, especially during peak summer travel periods.

Paris airport strike still planned for the 18th of June

A one-day strike by ground staff at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is still planned for the 18th of June. The level of disruption will depend on participation among security, baggage handling, cleaning and retail staff. Passengers flying through Paris should check their flight status closer to departure and allow extra time if travelling to or from the airport.

Residency card renewal process under pressure to improve

France’s top administrative court has ordered the government to act within six months to address problems with the ANEF website and residency card renewal process. The ruling has been welcomed by rights group La Cimade, which hopes it will help speed up improvements for foreign residents struggling with online applications and prefecture delays.

Property owners reminded of June declaration deadline

Property owners in France are being reminded to update their biens immobiliers declaration by the 30th of June if there has been a change in the use or occupancy of their property. This can include a main home becoming a second home, a change of tenant, a property becoming vacant, or certain additions and improvements. A fine of €150 per property can apply in theory, although enforcement in 2026 is expected to focus mainly on large property owners.

Drought-related cracks: new help for homeowners

Homeowners in certain parts of France may be able to benefit from extra help to protect properties affected by clay soil shrinkage and swelling, known as retrait-gonflement des argiles.

The fonds de prévention argile is being trialled in 11 departments, including Dordogne, Gers, Lot-et-Garonne, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne. It can help eligible owner-occupiers fund vulnerability diagnostics and preventive works, and eligibility rules were eased from the 1st of May.

Additional birth leave to come into force in July

Parents in France will soon be able to benefit from a new supplementary birth leave, which comes into effect on the 1st of July 2026. The measure gives each parent one to two months of compensated leave, in addition to existing maternity, paternity, childcare and adoption leave. It is an individual right, meaning it cannot be transferred from one parent to the other, and parents can take it at the same time, alternate it, or split it into two one-month periods.

Damaged banknotes can now be exchanged through selected tabacs

From the 8th of June, the Banque de France is rolling out a new service allowing people to exchange or be reimbursed for damaged banknotes through selected tabacs. The service applies to amounts up to €500 and is initially available through one participating tabac per region, before being expanded to one per department from July. The procedure is free, but customers should check the Banque de France requirements before visiting, as some paperwork must be prepared in advance.

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