A new year and a new month are set to bring changes to life in France, including – from January 1, 2019 – a rise in gas prices, a ban on glyphosate, changes to energy benefits, tax, healthcare, and apprenticeships.

Energy
Regulated gas prices will drop by almost 2% from January 1. The national energy grant will rise by €50, and will help 5.8 million households pay their bills or make crucial upgrades to their home’s heating system.
Retirees
Retired people will see their social deductions (contribution sociale généralisée, CSG) reduced from 8.3% to 6.6% from January 1, while minimum pensions rise by €35 a month for a single person, and €54 per month for a couple.
Basic pensions will be revalued to 0.3% less than inflation, and this will also apply to independent workers, public contractors, and disability or illness pensions.
Social contributions on private pensions will rise slightly, with private sector workers being encouraged to work for longer: until at least age 63.

Motoring
New drivers who undergo additional training after obtaining their driving licence can now access their maximum allowance of 12 points on their licence in two years instead of three; for licences with accompanied driving, the maximum points allowance waiting period will be reduced from two years to one-and-a-half years.
Furthermore, to combat uninsured driving, police and gendarmes can now access the Insured Vehicle Register (IVR), which lists all insured vehicles. By consulting this directory, they can find out if the vehicle they are checking is properly insured.
Health and the environment
There will be a cap on the sales prices allowed for hearing aids, at €1,300 per device. The minimum reimbursement amount from insurers will rise from €199.71 to €300.
This will apply to stocking, buying, and using the products. Anyone with remaining banned substances will be able to recuperate their losses through special recycling plants.
The price of a packet of average cigarettes – 20 Marlboro Red – will rise from €8 to €8.20.

Gardening
Phytopharmaceutical products, such as synthetic pesticides and herbicides is banned for individual private use from January 1. The list of banned products includes controversial herbicide glyphosate – notably an active ingredient in the popular Roundup brand, as well as some mole repellents, weed killers, Norway pine tar or slug pellets.

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