Tax Deadlines, Inheritance Rules and Summer Sales: News Digest

France’s minimum wage is set to rise from the 1st of June, gas benchmark prices are due to fall slightly, and tax return deadlines are now approaching, with paper declarations due today. Property owners can note new inheritance rules for jointly held assets, a renovation calculator to estimate added value, and hundreds more communes recognised as natural disaster zones. Meanwhile, summer sales dates have been confirmed, motorists face the prospect of tougher phone-use penalties, and the French Property Exhibition in Birmingham proved a great success. Here are the France headlines you need to know this week.

Tax return deadline today for paper declarations

Residents and non-residents with French income tax obligations are reminded that today, the 19th of May 2026, is the deadline for paper tax declarations, with returns due by midnight. Anyone who has not yet submitted should do so as soon as possible, or declare online if they are able to, as online deadlines run later by department: the 21st of May for departments 01 to 19 and non-residents, the 28th of May for departments 20 to 54, and the 4th of June for departments 55 to 974/976.

Those who miss the deadline can still file a late declaration, but should do so quickly. Late declarations can lead to penalties, including a 10% increase in the tax due if filed late before a formal notice, with higher penalties possible after a formal notice, as well as late-payment interest of 0.20% per month.

French Property Exhibition in Birmingham proves a great success

The French Property Exhibition in Birmingham proved a great success this weekend, bringing together buyers, property professionals and experts at the National Conference Centre Birmingham. Visitors had the chance to meet estate agents, legal advisers, tax specialists, relocation experts, currency specialists and other professionals involved in buying and owning property in France.

The seminar programme and expert forums were a particular highlight, with practical sessions covering where to buy, visas and residency, healthcare, legal and inheritance issues, taxation, renovation, property management and the real costs of buying in France. Thank you to everyone who came along and said hello. We were delighted to meet so many readers and hear more about their plans for France.

French minimum wage to rise from the 1st of June

France’s minimum wage, the Smic, will increase by 2.41% from the 1st of June 2026, following higher inflation. The gross hourly minimum wage will rise from €12.02 to €12.31, while the gross monthly minimum for a full-time worker will increase from €1,823.03 to €1,867.02. The net monthly figure for a full-time worker will rise by €34.82, to €1,477.93. This will be relevant for workers in France, as well as employers and households employing staff.

Gas benchmark price to fall slightly in June

France’s benchmark gas price is set to fall by 4.8% including tax from the 1st of June, after a sharp rise in May. The benchmark price will move from €160.54/MWh in May to €152.86/MWh in June, although the effect on household bills is expected to be modest, with the CRE estimating an average saving of €1.26 on June bills. The change only affects households whose gas contracts are indexed to the benchmark price.

Inflation rises to 2.2% over one year

New Insee figures show that consumer prices in France rose by 2.2% over one year in April 2026. Energy prices were the main driver, rising by 14.3% year on year, with petroleum products seeing particularly sharp increases. The consumer price index is closely watched as it can affect household budgets, contracts, maintenance payments, pensions and the Smic.

New tool helps estimate property value after energy renovation

Homeowners, sellers and buyers can now use the Ma plus-value Réno calculator to estimate how energy renovation work could affect the value of a property. The free tool asks for the property’s location, current estimated value and DPE rating before and after works, then gives an estimate of the potential uplift. It is aimed both at property owners and future buyers considering renovation work.

Inheritance rules changed for jointly held property

New rules have been introduced for property and assets held in indivision, the system that applies when several heirs jointly own assets before an estate is divided. The changes follow a law of the 7th of April and are intended to make it easier to resolve inheritance disputes and close long-blocked successions. This may be relevant for families inheriting houses, land, flats or other jointly held property in France. The changes include a new route for an heir to seek court authorisation to sell a property alone, where the sale is justified by urgency and is in the common interest. The law also broadens the scope of judicial division, meaning the courts may be able to intervene in more complex situations where an amicable agreement cannot be reached, including certain disputes involving former spouses, civil partners or cohabiting partners.

Hundreds more communes recognised as natural disaster zones

A new decree has recognised 221 additional communes as natural disaster zones, opening the way for insurance compensation for properties affected by droughts and flooding. The announcement was published in the Journal Officiel, and residents in affected areas may now be able to make claims under France’s natural disaster insurance system.

Gîtes de France hit by cyberattack

Gîtes de France was among three French holiday-booking platforms hit by cyberattacks over the weekend, with hackers reportedly accessing data linked to up to 389,000 clients. The data included names, booking dates, length of stay, email addresses, phone numbers and postal addresses, but Gîtes de France said no banking information was collected. Customers affected are expected to be informed by email and should be alert to phishing attempts.

Mobile phone driving suspensions could be rolled out nationwide

France may extend immediate licence suspensions for using a mobile phone at the wheel across the country. The measure is currently being trialled in four departments, but a junior interior minister said she supports making it national after a rise in road deaths. Drivers in France already face penalties for handheld phone use, and the possible expansion would mean tougher consequences for residents and visitors alike.

€2 parcel tax hitting private senders more than big platforms

France’s new €2 tax on small, low-value parcels from outside the EU is reportedly affecting private individuals more than major e-commerce platforms. The measure, introduced on the 1st of March, was expected to generate around €33 million per month, but has so far raised only €2.3 million per month, as some international platforms reroute parcels via neighbouring EU countries. The issue is relevant for residents receiving parcels from the UK, US or other non-EU countries.

Ragweed warning issued in the south of France

Residents and property owners in the south of France are being encouraged to report and remove ragweed, a highly allergenic invasive plant, before its peak pollen period later in the summer. The plant can cause significant allergy symptoms, and people removing it are advised to wear gloves and a mask to avoid exposure.

Summer sales dates confirmed

France’s 2026 summer sales will begin on the 24th of June and run until the 21st of July in most metropolitan departments, giving residents and visitors four weeks of regulated discounts in shops and online. The official sales period begins at 8am, and e-commerce retailers must follow the same national dates, regardless of where the company is based.

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