The 'hidden' fees of house-buying, what's going on with France's taxe foncière, the new-look digital carte vitale, when to book your 2026 holidays, French visas and possible new parcel fees all feature in this week's must reads from The Local.
Any house-hunter will expect to budget for professional fees when buying a home, but in France you need to allow for a hefty chunk of change -- we're talking tens of thousands here -- to account for the extras.
Knowing what additional expenses to expect will, if not cushion the blow, then at least ground your dreams in financial reality.
How much you can expect to pay in fees when you buy a house in France
France's Finance Ministry is to refine the basis on which taxe foncière -- the tax paid by all property owners -- is calculated for the 32 million homes liable.
It's believed that around a quarter of homes will see an increase due to the calculation change, on top of any other increases levied by local authorities. This is what's happening, and why.
France set to increase property tax (again) for millions of homes in 2026
France's carte vitale health card is changing and access to the digital version has been expanded. On Tuesday, it became available to download across the country. Here's who can access it and how to do so.
New digital carte vitale extended to all parts of France
As it's November, it's getting close to time to take an advanced look at the 2026 calendar to see where you can get the best value for your annual leave in France with our month-by-month guide to the year's public holidays.
How to make the most of France's 2026 public holidays
If you do not have citizenship of an EU or Schengen zone country, then moving to France requires a visa, and the first step is to work out which one you need. Getting any type of French visa requires a certain amount of effort and paperwork, but some are more straightforward than others. Here's what you need to know.
What are the 'easiest' French visas to get?
As French lawmakers continue to debate the draft 2026 Budget, on Wednesday, they voted in favour of a proposal to add a €2 handling fee for small parcels (petits colis) entering France from outside of the European Union.
If the measure passes parliament, it could come into effect as soon as January 1st. Here's what it might mean, plus what could happen if a related EU plan kicks in.