The popularity of President Macron has cooled, but at least the coming of winter means you’re safe from eviction until Easter. Also this month, parcel deliveries begin on a Sunday, and the process of getting both a new car and a new spouse just got easier!
At the start of each month in France there are updates on existing laws and some changes to costs of various services. November is no different and here we look at all of these to keep you up to date.
The “treve hivernale”, which means a winter truce, is a law that prevents tenants from being thrown onto the street in winter
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Macron marked down
President Macron’s honeymoon period is now over and the inevitable criticisms have started coming in, with his approval rating plummeting since the summer. However, overall he seems to be keeping a keen eye on France’s economy and people and despite the drop he is still more popular than President Hollande ever was!
Whatever happens, you’ll never be thrown into the street in winter in France
Start of the winter truce
The “treve hivernale”, which means a winter truce, is a law that prevents tenants from being thrown onto the street in winter. Landlords cannot evict tenants from their properties from the 1st November to the 31st March if the tenants are unable to pay rent. They are entitled to start proceedings for any tenant failing to pay but cannot remove them until the winter is over. Although a generous and kind gesture for tenants in trouble, it can be frustrating for landlords, who may themselves be struggling financially.
In a similar gesture, since 2013 energy companies are not permitted to cut off supplies to people who are unable to pay their bills. They will still seek the money they are owed but not until after the winter is over.
If you have any legal questions and you’re ready to buy a home in France, visit us at Your Overseas Home, a new kind of property exhibition. Meet French lawyers, estate agents and currency experts at Epsom Racecourse on Saturday 18th November 2017 and various events in 2018. See if you are eligible for free tickets.
Cost of visiting your doctor
An appointment with your doctor will cost more from this month for people with certain conditions. A visit to your doctor rose to €25 in May with new charges for certain chronic conditions. However holders of the Carte Vitale will still have 70% of the cost paid back to them and anyone with a long term illness will be fully reimbursed. Taking out “top up” insurance means that the whole cost will be paid back. It is worth remembering here also that France has one of the best healthcare systems in the world with state of the art hospitals, short waiting times and top treatments.
Log books
The log book for your car in France is called a “carte grise” and from now on if you buy a new car, registering it will be done online rather than at your local prefecture. Good news, we say, since there were frequently long queues at the prefecture with people waiting to register their vehicles.
Postal deliveries
From the 19th November, many La Poste workers will be working on Sundays in a bid to give a greater service for parcel deliveries. This will start in Paris and throughout the Ile de France as well as many other major French cities.
PACS (civil union)
The PACS is a system of so-called common law marriage in France and from this month the documents needed for this can be signed in the town hall or mairie rather than in court.
Unemployment benefits
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The period over which this is paid to anyone over 50 has been reduced from this month meaning that anyone aged between 50 and 53 will be entitled to benefits over two years, then from 53 to 54, 2.5 years and over 55s, three years. Before, anyone over the age of 50 was entitled to three years’ benefits.
Buying a property in France is extremely exciting, but it can be nerve-wracking: in what ways is the process different to the UK, how do you cope with the language difference, what fees should you expect and just who is the notaire? That’s why we’ve put together our France Buying Guide, to help you through the process, step by step.
Written by experts, it covers every stage of buying, from viewing to contracts and fees. Get your copy of the French Property Guide by simply filling in the form below.
