What will change in France from October 1st
As France rings in another month, a slew of new rules and regulations come into play. Here is what you need to know.
October 1st brings a raft of reforms and new laws that have come into force.
Here are a few to be aware of so you don't get caught out.
Gas prices to be cut by 1.4 percent
Another cut in gas prices - this time by 1.4 percent compared to September - is good news for customers of provider Engie. Prices have now dropped 7.8 percent since the start of the year.
Easier to change phone operators
As of October 1st, it will be easier to change telephone operators while still keeping your home phone number the same. How? Simply use your 12 digit RIO number, a system that has already been in place for many phone operators, but which is now a legal requirement for all.
Keeping your same mobile number while changing operators is already possible in France.
Clearer information on premium phone numbers
The pricing system for France's premium phone numbers (those beginning with 08 or with only four digits) has been a nightmare at best. New rules have sought to simplify the tariffs for these calls, with a new colour coding system.
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Green numbers are totally free (0800-0805)
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Grey numbers come at a premium cost per minute, but are free to connect to (0806-0809)
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Purple is for paid services (081, 082, 089 and 118)
Costly butts
From October 1st, anyone caught throwing a cigarette butt on the ground in Paris will be charged €68. This is almost double the previous fine of €35.
And it's no surprise authorities are cracking down - there are 350 tonnes of mégots, as they are known in French, collected each year in Paris alone.
Airbnb tax changes
Tourists in Paris will now be charged a tax for using home-sharing service Airbnb, which will amount to €0.83 per person per night. The fee will be paid upon booking, and will gradually extend to include other cities in France. It was previously up to the home owner to collect any taxes and pass them on to the Town Hall, although this step was often overlooked.
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October 1st brings a raft of reforms and new laws that have come into force.
Here are a few to be aware of so you don't get caught out.
Gas prices to be cut by 1.4 percent
Another cut in gas prices - this time by 1.4 percent compared to September - is good news for customers of provider Engie. Prices have now dropped 7.8 percent since the start of the year.
Easier to change phone operators
As of October 1st, it will be easier to change telephone operators while still keeping your home phone number the same. How? Simply use your 12 digit RIO number, a system that has already been in place for many phone operators, but which is now a legal requirement for all.
Keeping your same mobile number while changing operators is already possible in France.
Clearer information on premium phone numbers
The pricing system for France's premium phone numbers (those beginning with 08 or with only four digits) has been a nightmare at best. New rules have sought to simplify the tariffs for these calls, with a new colour coding system.
- Green numbers are totally free (0800-0805)
- Grey numbers come at a premium cost per minute, but are free to connect to (0806-0809)
- Purple is for paid services (081, 082, 089 and 118)
Costly butts
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