UK MPs Call for Flexibility in 90/180 Day Rule: News Digest 

British MPs are pushing for more flexibility in the 90/180-day short-stay rule, a massive cyberattack in France has exposed personal data from up to 15  million patients. France will expand ticket-free motorways from this spring, and the municipal elections are approaching. Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week.

UK MPs Call for Flexibility in 90/180 Day Rule

Several British MPs want the UK‑EU 90/180-day short‑stay rule, which limits visa-free visits for UK citizens to 90 days within any 180 days, to be revisited at the next UK-EU summit in May. Campaigners argue the rule complicates family visits, work and cross-border stays and should be relaxed or replaced with more flexible arrangements. The EU has signalled it may explore extended short‑stay rules, but any change requires member‑state agreement.

Massive Healthcare Data Cyberattack

A cyberattack on software used by about 1,500 doctors in France has exposed the personal data of up to 15 million patients. While core medical records remain intact, administrative details, including names, contact info and some sensitive notes on orientation, infidelity and assaults, were accessed. 

Around 164,000 records contained sensitive information, officials have said. The Health Ministry and prosecutors are investigating, and authorities warn of potential phishing scams using the stolen data. Doctors have criticised shared cloud systems for raising security risks.

Ticket-Free Toll Motorways to Expands in France

Plans to open additional ticket-free motorway sections across France will begin in spring 2026 to ease traffic, but the changes are already causing headaches for drivers. On the autoroutes Paris-Rhin-Rhône and Autoroutes Rhône-Alpes motorways, traditional entry toll booths will be replaced by automatic gantries that record vehicles.

However, motorists are unsure how to pay correctly, when charges apply, or if they might be fined by mistake. While drivers still owe tolls based on their exit points, the new system’s rules can be confusing and unclear for many.

Who’s Running for Mayor in your Commune?

With France’s 2026 municipal elections approaching (two rounds on March 15 & 22), candidates in all 34,875 communes have now been declared. Residents can access an interactive list showing all local candidates, their party affiliations and lists. Mayors in France hold significant local authority, including budget setting, infrastructure oversight and civil registry responsibilities.

Find out who is running in your commune here.