What Changes in January 2026 in France and Île-de-France?
As of January 1, 2026, a series of significant changes will come into effect across France and specifically within the Île-de-France region, impacting various aspects of daily life, including transportation, minimum wage, housing, and vehicle regulations. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of these adjustments to help you navigate the new year.
1. Transport Fares in Île-de-France: Navigo Pass and Tickets
Commuters in the Île-de-France region will face increased public transport costs. The monthly Navigo pass will rise by 2 euros, from 88.80 euros to 90.80 euros, a 2.3% increase. Single tickets will also see a price hike. Île-de-France Mobilités attributes this increase to necessary investments in network modernization, including metro line extensions and RER E preparations. For daily commuters, this means an additional 24 euros annually. The mobility payment, a contribution from employers with more than 10 employees to fund public transport, will also see new rates in several Île-de-France municipalities.
2. SMIC Revaluation Across France
Good news for minimum wage earners nationwide: the interprofessional minimum wage (SMIC) will be revalued by 1.18% from January 1, 2026. This translates to an additional 17 euros net per month. While modest, this increase aims to protect the purchasing power of lower-income employees, especially in areas with a high cost of living like the Paris region. The annual Social Security ceiling will also increase by 2%, reaching 48,060 euros, affecting social contributions and benefits.
3. Ecological Bonus for Electric Vehicles
Considering an electric vehicle in 2026? The government has increased the “electric vehicle boost” bonus. Vulnerable households can now receive up to 5,700 euros (up from 4,200 euros in 2025), modest households 4,700 euros, and others 3,500 euros. The “European battery” bonus also increases to between 1,200 and 2,000 euros. A modest buyer could accumulate up to 7,700 euros in aid. To be eligible, vehicles must cost less than 47,000 euros (VAT included) and weigh under 2,400 kg. This is a positive development for drivers in Île-de-France looking to switch to electric.
4. Stricter Malus for Thermal Vehicles
Conversely, the cost for thermal vehicles will rise significantly. The CO₂ emissions threshold for the ecological malus drops from 113 to 108 g/km, making it almost impossible to avoid without hybridization. A vehicle emitting 140 g/km will incur a 2,205 euro penalty (up from 1,504 euros last year). The ceiling now reaches 80,000 euros for emissions over 192 g/km. The weight malus also tightens, with the threshold decreasing from 1,600 to 1,500 kg. Electric cars will partially lose their exemption from July 1, 2026, with a 600 kg abatement for those not validated by the eco-score.
5. Fuel Price Increase
Motorists will pay 4 to 6 cents more per liter of fuel from January 1. This increase is due to the strengthening of the Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) scheme, where energy suppliers pass on the cost of financing energy transition actions. A 50-liter tank will cost 2 to 3 euros more. This adds to the Navigo pass increase for Île-de-France residents, though E85 fuel is exempt. The CEE mechanism also affects electricity, potentially slightly increasing home charging costs for electric vehicle owners.
6. Enhanced Technical Control for Takata Airbags
French motorists must be aware of significantly stricter technical controls from January 2026. A decree mandates automatic re-inspection for Takata airbags classified as “stop drive.” These defective airbags have caused 46 accidents in France, 20 of which were fatal. If your vehicle is on the recall list, it will be deemed critically defective, and circulation will be prohibited until repaired. This measure affects 1.3 million vehicles, with the Ministry of Transport aiming to inspect the entire fleet within two years.
7. New Pink Plates for Provisional Registrations
Vehicles with provisional registrations (WW and W garage plates) will display pink plates from January 1. This measure, formalized by a decree, aims to facilitate controls and combat fraud. The expiry date will be directly visible on the plate, allowing law enforcement to immediately identify irregular vehicles. Approximately 400,000 provisional registrations are issued annually in France.
8. Toll Road Increases
Toll road prices will increase by an average of 0.86% from February 1, the lowest rise since 2021. Increases vary by network, with ASF and Escota seeing +0.62%, Sanef +0.70%, Vinci Autoroutes +0.82%, APRR and AREA +0.95%, and Cofiroute +1.41%. For example, a Paris-Bordeaux trip via the A10 will cost around 61 euros, up from 60.50 euros.
9. Auto Insurance Premium Hikes
Insurers anticipate a 4-5% increase in premiums in 2026 due to rising accident costs, complex repairs, and more frequent climatic events. For motorists in Paris and Île-de-France, this adds to other car-related expenses, making car ownership increasingly costly in the region.
10. Suspension of MaPrimeRénov’ for Energy Renovation
Homeowners planning energy renovation work will be impacted by the suspension of MaPrimeRénov’ from January 1, 2026. This aid scheme will be paused for all new applications across France due to budget constraints. The government promises a new scheme, but no specific date has been announced. This creates challenges for those in older homes in Paris and Île-de-France hoping to improve insulation or heating systems.
11. DPE Evolution for 850,000 Homes
From January 1, 2026, 850,000 homes will see their energy performance diagnosis (DPE) rating improve by one class. The electricity conversion coefficient in DPE calculations will be lowered from 2.3 to 1.9, better reflecting France’s largely decarbonized energy mix. This means many homes currently classified F or G could see their rating improve, some escaping the “energy sieve” status without work.
12. Phased End of ADSL for Fiber Optic
The transition to very high-speed broadband is accelerating. The gradual phasing out of ADSL in favor of fiber optic enters a new phase in January 2026. Operators can now permanently close ADSL connections in fully fibered areas, which includes much of Paris and its inner suburbs. Subscribers still on ADSL should be offered a migration to fiber, though this may come with a price increase.
13. New Birth Leave for French Parents
New parents will benefit from new birth leave, supplementing existing maternity and paternity leave. This allows for one or two additional months off after a baby’s arrival, with higher compensation than the previous parental leave. This provides financial relief for families, especially in high-cost areas like Île-de-France. The leave can be split into two one-month periods for flexibility. Social and cultural activities offered by companies will also be more accessible, removing the six-month seniority criterion.
14. Modest Revaluation of Retirement Pensions
Retirement pensions will increase by 0.9% in January 2026, a smaller rise than in 2025 due to slowing inflation. For an 800 euro monthly pension, this means an extra 7 euros per month. The reform of retirement age, which aimed to gradually raise the legal retirement age to 64, is suspended until January 2028. Those born in 1964 can now retire at 62 years and 9 months instead of 63.
15. Mandatory Online Declaration for Monetary Gifts
From January 1, 2026, monetary gifts between individuals must be declared online on the tax website. This dematerialization, formalized by a decree, does not introduce new taxes but changes the declaration method. Similar to annual income declarations, significant gifts must now be declared digitally by the recipient.
16. La Poste Rate Increases
La Poste rates will increase in January 2026. Mail prices will rise by an average of 7.4%, and Colissimo parcel rates by 3.4%. This reflects a decrease in postal mail volume due to digital communication. This represents an additional cost for individuals and businesses sending mail or parcels from Paris or the suburbs.
17. Parcoursup and Revalued Internship Indemnity
Students and high schoolers are also affected. Parcoursup registrations begin for the new session. Interns will see a revaluation of the minimum internship indemnity, providing slightly higher compensation for those on internships longer than two months. This is a welcome boost for students in Paris and Île-de-France facing high rents and transport costs. Influencer contracts will also be more regulated.
18. End of Tax Credit for Charging Stations
The 500 euro tax credit for installing a charging station expires on December 31, 2025, with no announced extension. Individuals wishing to benefit must complete installation by year-end. However, France is expected to reach 200,000 public charging stations by early 2026, with rapid charging infrastructure continuing to expand.
19. Population Census and Civic Examination
The population census begins in several French municipalities in January 2026. Additionally, a new civic examination will be introduced for foreigners seeking long-term residency in France, assessing their knowledge of Republican values and French institutions.
These changes reflect France’s ongoing ecological transition. To navigate these new regulations, check your eligibility for various schemes on Service-Public.fr and anticipate additional expenses in your household budget.
Source: https://www.sortiraparis.com/actualites/a-paris/articles/239100-ce-qui-change-en-janvier-2026-en-france-et-en-ile-de-france-transports-smic-logement-navigo
