What changes in France in August 2022
The long sultry days of summer are usually fairly quiet in France, as parliament breaks for the summer and huge swathes of the population head to the beach. But 2022 is not an ordinary year - here's what changes in August.
End of the health pass
Senators have now ratified a new health bill that formally ends the Covid-19 health emergency and repeals emergency laws introduced at the height of the pandemic.
In practical terms, it means that - from August 1st - the suspended vaccine pass cannot be reimposed, nor can mask mandates, lockdowns, curfews, or other health measures allowed for under emergency legislation. Masks for hospitals and health establishments and on public transport remain 'strongly recommended', however, and private businesses as always have the right to require customers to wear a mask.
Mandatory health checks at French borders may, however, be reintroduced if necessary.
No more conseil scientifique
As a consequence of the repeal of the emergency health laws, France’s conseil scientifique (scientific council) which advised the government throughout the Covid-19 crisis, will be disbanded. It currently has no replacement, but a new body for monitoring, anticipating and advising on new health crises may be formed.
Savings
A small boost for savers: the interest rate for the Livret A savings scheme - a tax free instant access savings account available to all - doubles from 1 percent to 2 percent, a level unseen since 2011.
Rates for the Livret d'épargne populaire, meanwhile, will increase from 2.2 percent to 4.6 percent.
Minimum wage
Due to rising inflation, the minimum wage - known as the Smic - scheme automatically rise by 2.01 percent on August 1st - its fourth increase this year. After taxes and social charges, workers on Smic will see their hourly pay increase from €8.58 to €8.76 - or €1,329 per month for a full-time employee.
Fuel prices
Plans to phase out the 18 cents per litre fuel rebate on petrol (gasoline) and diesel in response to rising oil prices were originally supposed to take effect from July 31st. Good news - the current rate has been extended to August 31st, after which it will be increased to 20c per litre in September and October and then drop to 10c per litre.
READ ALSO Why this weekend might be a good time to fill up your car in France
Macron bonus
The so-called Macron bonus (prime Macron) - introduced in 2018 as an optional one-off tax and social charge-free bonus given by employers to boost spending power following the Yellow Vest protests and repeated every year since - has been renamed, recalculated and made permanent.
From August 1st, it will be called the Prime de partage de la valeur, and employees in profit-sharing schemes can receive up to €6,000 as opposed to the current €2,000 maximum. Those not on such schemes can receive up to €3,000. From 2024, the bonus payment will be subject to taxes and social charges.
MPs break
In a normal year, a Parliamentary session runs from the first working day of October to the last working day of June. This is not an ordinary year. France’s National Assembly was supposed to rise for the summer on July 27th. But the current extraordinary session of Parliament has been extended until August 7th to allow for debate on the government’s bill on purchasing power.
MPs will not return to the hemicyle until October 3rd, with the government deciding not to reconvene parliament in September for the first time in 20 years, to give itself time for consultation on a range of bills.
READ ALSO The 8 signs that August has arrived in France
Public holiday
The Catholic festival of Assumption is a public holiday in France. It is on August 15th which this year is a Monday, allowing a nice long weekend for the people who are still working in August.
School holidays
Schools remain on holiday until the end of August, with kids returning to the classroom on Thursday, September 1st.
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End of the health pass
Senators have now ratified a new health bill that formally ends the Covid-19 health emergency and repeals emergency laws introduced at the height of the pandemic.
In practical terms, it means that - from August 1st - the suspended vaccine pass cannot be reimposed, nor can mask mandates, lockdowns, curfews, or other health measures allowed for under emergency legislation. Masks for hospitals and health establishments and on public transport remain 'strongly recommended', however, and private businesses as always have the right to require customers to wear a mask.
Mandatory health checks at French borders may, however, be reintroduced if necessary.
No more conseil scientifique
As a consequence of the repeal of the emergency health laws, France’s conseil scientifique (scientific council) which advised the government throughout the Covid-19 crisis, will be disbanded. It currently has no replacement, but a new body for monitoring, anticipating and advising on new health crises may be formed.
Savings
A small boost for savers: the interest rate for the Livret A savings scheme - a tax free instant access savings account available to all - doubles from 1 percent to 2 percent, a level unseen since 2011.
Rates for the Livret d'épargne populaire, meanwhile, will increase from 2.2 percent to 4.6 percent.
Minimum wage
Due to rising inflation, the minimum wage - known as the Smic - scheme automatically rise by 2.01 percent on August 1st - its fourth increase this year. After taxes and social charges, workers on Smic will see their hourly pay increase from €8.58 to €8.76 - or €1,329 per month for a full-time employee.
Fuel prices
Plans to phase out the 18 cents per litre fuel rebate on petrol (gasoline) and diesel in response to rising oil prices were originally supposed to take effect from July 31st. Good news - the current rate has been extended to August 31st, after which it will be increased to 20c per litre in September and October and then drop to 10c per litre.
READ ALSO Why this weekend might be a good time to fill up your car in France
Macron bonus
The so-called Macron bonus (prime Macron) - introduced in 2018 as an optional one-off tax and social charge-free bonus given by employers to boost spending power following the Yellow Vest protests and repeated every year since - has been renamed, recalculated and made permanent.
From August 1st, it will be called the Prime de partage de la valeur, and employees in profit-sharing schemes can receive up to €6,000 as opposed to the current €2,000 maximum. Those not on such schemes can receive up to €3,000. From 2024, the bonus payment will be subject to taxes and social charges.
MPs break
In a normal year, a Parliamentary session runs from the first working day of October to the last working day of June. This is not an ordinary year. France’s National Assembly was supposed to rise for the summer on July 27th. But the current extraordinary session of Parliament has been extended until August 7th to allow for debate on the government’s bill on purchasing power.
MPs will not return to the hemicyle until October 3rd, with the government deciding not to reconvene parliament in September for the first time in 20 years, to give itself time for consultation on a range of bills.
READ ALSO The 8 signs that August has arrived in France
Public holiday
The Catholic festival of Assumption is a public holiday in France. It is on August 15th which this year is a Monday, allowing a nice long weekend for the people who are still working in August.
School holidays
Schools remain on holiday until the end of August, with kids returning to the classroom on Thursday, September 1st.
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