January is just around the corner! While this month is eagerly awaited by many, and dreaded by others, this year it has a number of new features and changes in store for us, affecting employment, ecology, health, transport and automobiles. These changes reflect our ambitions for economic, social and environmental transition. Let's take a look at the upheavals awaiting us in France from January 1, 2025.
Low-emission zones (ZFE) will become stricter in January. Vehicles classified as Crit'Air 3 (diesels registered before 2011 and petrols registered before 2006) will be banned in several major metropolises, including Paris and Lyon, with restrictive time periods varying from city to city. In Strasbourg, a postponement until 2027 is envisaged, thanks to an improvement in air quality. This measure will affect almost 8 million vehicles, or around 21% of the French car fleet.
In the Île-de-France region, transport fares will be simplified. A one-way ticket will cost €2.50 for travel on the metro, RER and Transilien networks, whatever the journey. A Navigo day pass will be introduced at €12, while the Pass Liberté+ will see its fare increased to €1.99 per journey for metro and train services. These adjustments are designed to simplify access to transport and harmonize costs for users.
Roadworthiness testing is evolving to meet environmental and technical challenges. The new procedures will include more powerful equipment to detect fraud, particularly tampering with anti-pollution systems such as particle filters. Safety checks, such as those on brakes, suspensions and seatbelts, will also be stepped up. These changes could lead to an increase in the cost of roadworthiness tests, although no official announcement has yet been made.
Several changes are impacting the real estate sector. MaPrimeRénov', the flagship energy renovation aid, will see its budget envelope reduced, targeting only major works. The Pinel tax scheme, which supports rental investment, will come to an end with no planned replacement, which could put the brakes on construction in tense areas. Passed on November 7, 2024 after more than two years of debate, the Le Meur law, nicknamed the "anti-Airbnb law", aims to regulate furnished tourist rentals. Faced with a development deemed uncontrolled for this type of rental, the text intends to meet the needs of French people looking for permanent accommodation and limit the abuses of platforms like Airbnb. Prohibitions on renting thermal flats, greater powers for communes and new obligations for landlords are all on the agenda.
A new health record will be rolled out, with pages dedicated to preventing the use of screens to protect young people's mental health. Compulsory medical examinations for children will evolve: a new examination will be added at age 7, while the one carried out before the end of the first month will be abolished. These changes are aimed at better monitoring children's physical and psychological development, as well as stepping up screening for neurodevelopmental disorders.
From January 1ᵉʳ 2025, the Revenu de Solidarité Active (RSA) will undergo significant changes aimed at strengthening the professional integration of recipients. From now on, recipients will have to devote 15 hours a week to integration activities, such as training, internships or company immersions, in order to encourage their return to employment. This reform, which has been tested in several départements since 2023, will be extended to the whole of France. In addition, all RSA beneficiaries will be automatically registered with France Travail, replacing Pôle Emploi, for personalized and intensive support. Sanctions, up to and including suspension of benefits, will be applied in the event of non-compliance. These measures are aimed at achieving the government's goal of full employment.
Unemployment insurance rules are changing, particularly for cross-border workers and senior citizens. Benefits for unemployed cross-border commuters working in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium or Luxembourg will be recalculated downwards, on a stricter basis. Seniors will benefit from new age limits for extended compensation: 55 years for 22.5 months and 57 years for 27 months. In addition, measures to encourage theemployment of senior citizens include specific contracts and improved access to phased retirement, although the latter will remain subject to the employer's agreement.
These reforms reflect a desire to adapt to contemporary economic, ecological and social challenges. While they promise progress, their implementation also raises questions about their long-term impact.
ZFE: Crit'Air 3 vehicles banned in Paris and the inner suburbs from January 2025
As of January 1, 2025, vehicles with a Crit'Air 3 rating will no longer be allowed on the roads of Paris and its inner suburbs (i.e. 79 communes), due to the introduction of the Greater Paris Low Emission Zone (ZFE); [Read more]
Announced, but not yet voted on, it's now a done deal: the single €2.50 fare for Paris and the entire Ile-de-France region will come into effect on January 1ᵉʳ, 2025. Île-de-France Mobilités is introducing a single transport fare of €2.50 for metro, RER and train journeys throughout the Paris region. The aim of this reform is to simplify fares for the 4 million occasional users, making the network easier to understand. Good news for some, bad news for others, we tell you all about it. [Read more]
ZFE: Crit'Air 3 vehicles banned in Paris and the inner suburbs from January 2025
Single Paris-Île-de-France transport ticket at €2.50 voted for January 1, 2025
