Every month has its changes! Throughout the year, measures impact our daily lives, whether from an economic, practical, social or environmental point of view. Between price rises, new subsidies and restrictions, these changes can sometimes be hard to keep up with. That's why we bring you a monthly update on what' s changing in Paris and the rest of France. So, would you like to know what' s changing this February?
That's right, during the winter months, there are also a number of changes. As we go along, we'll tell you what's expected to change, and what measures will come into force this month, whether on the economic , social, traffic, transport, energy or ecological fronts. Here's what's changing in February 2025:
A decree published in the Journal Officiel on December 28 confirms the end of the electricity tariff shield. The shield had been introduced to protect consumers from soaring electricity prices from 2022. The measure limited rate increases for customers eligible for the regulated electricity tariff to 4% inc. tax, and to an average of 15% inc. tax from February 1, 2023. "From February 1, 2025, the excise duty on electricity, formerly known as TICFE (domestic tax on the final consumption of electricity), will be restored to its pre-2022 energy crisis level", announces the vie-publique.fr website.
However, there is some good news. Despite the end of the electricity tariff shield and the announced increase in taxes, the regulated electricity tariff for private customers will fall by an average of 15%. The Commission de Régulation de l'Énergie (CRE) has proposed to restore the regulated electricity sales tariff to €239/MWh incl. VAT by February 1, 2025. Since February 1, 2024, these have averaged €281 incl. VAT/MWh. This represents an average reduction of €42 incl. VAT/MWh.
The reason for this reduction? According to the CRE,"the drop in the size of the supply share due to sharply declining market prices, linked to a gradual return to normal after the energy price crisis", which also refers to the increase in network tariffs, exceptionally brought forward to February 1, 2025, and the increase in taxes decided by the French government.
From February 1, 2025, the annual interest rate on Livret A savings accounts will fall. Bad news for Livret A savers. Set at 3% since February 1, 2023, the Livret A rate will fall to 2.4% on February 1, 2025. The same applies to the Livret d'épargne populaire (LEP), reserved for low-income savers, which will fall to 3.5% from 4% between August 1, 2024 and January 31, 2025. The reason for this? Falling inflation.
Change is also in store for motorists. Motorway toll rates will change and increase from February 1ᵉʳ 2025. The average increase will be 0.92%."This increase is the lowest since 2021 and significantly lower than inflation excluding tobacco during the reference period concerned (October 2023 to October 2024), which is 1.1%," states the Ministry of Transport. According to Auto Plus, this rate increase will be 0.77% for VINCI Autoroutes, 0.85% for SANEF, 1.08% for APRR, 1.10% for AREA and 1.14% for SAPN.
After a further increase on January 1, 2025, the price of certain cigarettes in France will rise again on February 1, 2025, according to a decree published in the Journal Officiel on January 14. The Customs website details the various increases by brand. The price of a pack of Gauloises Blondes Bleu (20 cigarettes), for example, will rise from €12.30 to €12.50, an increase of 20 centimes.
The government's objective? To continue the fight against smoking. In its national tobacco control program, the government intends to raise the price of tobacco to 13 euros by 2027.
The winter sales, which began on January 8, end on the evening of Tuesday February 4, 2025.
From February 2, 2025,artificial intelligence (AI) will be subject to stricter regulations. The European Regulation on Artificial Intelligence bans AI systems deemed high-risk, such as those that can lead to unconscious manipulation or use social rating systems, as specified on the government website.
To calculate your entitlements, Caf uses your income for the year N-2, i.e. 2023 for entitlements in 2025. In this way, the ceilings for Caf benefits have been adjusted in line withinflation for 2023, estimated at 4.8% byInsee. From February 5, Caf will recalculate your entitlements to take account of this increase. Depending on how your situation evolves, this could lead to an increase in your benefits, a reduction, or even a total withdrawal of your benefits.
Due to the high circulation of respiratory viruses in most French regions, the government has decided to extend the flu vaccination campaign by one month, until February 28.
From February 28, the channels C8 and NJR 12 will no longer be on DTT, following a decision by the Autorité de Régulation de la Communication Audiovisuelle et Numérique (Arcom).
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