Latest news with #Crit'Air
Local France
2 days ago
- Business
- Local France
Remote working rules, tax errors and Poutine - 6 essential articles for life in France
For those of working age who want to move to France, the opportunity of working remotely for a company back in your home country can seem an ideal solution. As part of a special series of articles on remote working in France , we've already pointed out important things around residency and tax rules to consider, plus your status as an employee or self-employed worker. However, if you're in a Tl:dr frame of mind – and there's a lot to digest – here's a summary of everything you need to know. So you want to move to France and work remotely? It's deadline time for the French income tax declaration – so what should you do if you realise you have made a mistake? Whether it's missing a deadline , filling in the form wrong or forgetting to declare foreign bank accounts, here's a look at how to correct errors. What to do if you make a mistake with your French taxes Spain is pushing ahead with tough new measures to limit the purchase of real estate by non-resident foreigners, in order to try and tackle its housing crisis. So is France – which also has a housing shortage – likely to follow suit? This story has been bubbling away for a while, but here's the latest. Will France follow Spain's 100% tax on non-EU house-buyers? At the end of last month, France's MPs voted in favour of scrapping low-emission zones – but this might not spell the end for France's patchwork of ' zones à faible émission ' and their Crit'Air sticker system. We explain. Advertisement Is this the end of France's Crit'Air zones for drivers? There's a popular misconception that obesity is not a problem in France - whole books have even been written on this subject (such as the famous French Women Don't Get Fat ). In reality, however, not only is it a problem but one the government considers requires a whole new campaign to tackle. So, we ask… How serious is France's obesity problem? If you read French media you may have noticed that the Russian premier's name is spelled Poutine, rather than the more usual western rendering of Putin, and his name is also pronounced differently in news broadcasts. There's a reason for that… Why do the French call the Russian leader Poutine?
Local France
5 days ago
- Business
- Local France
PODCAST: Has Uber changed France and will smoking ever be banned on café terraces?
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield for the latest episode of the Talking France podcast. The dispute between taxi drivers and ride-hail services like Uber is a long-standing one that flared up again this week - so will they ever reach an understanding? You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or listen on the link below. The Talking France team also explores France's latest ban on smoking outdoors, and whether it will have any impact on those famous café terraces. Advertisement We also hear about another effort by French authorities to keep the air clean, via low-emission zones. Recently, France's parliament voted to get rid of these low-emission zones, but the Talking France team discusses the obstacles in the way of that coming to fruition. And after receiving guidance from French tax authorities, we wade into the notoriously tricky topic of remote working in France. Stick around until the end to hear about whether or not French drivers deserve their negative reputation, plus a handy tip for what to do when you are being tailgated in France. EXTRA READING What you need to know about taking a taxi in Paris Explained: France's new smoking ban rules So you want to move to France and work remotely? Is this the end of France's Crit'Air zones for drivers? Swearing, honking and tailgating: French drivers ranked among worst in Europe Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of paying members of The Local - you can find out more about becoming a member here . You can also help us by leaving a nice review, sharing the podcast on social media, or just telling a friend about us.
Local France
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Local France
Is this the end of France's Crit'Air zones for drivers?
If you're driving in France's biggest towns and cities, your vehicle will need to display a sticker known as Crit'Air, denoting how polluting it is. Some of the oldest and most polluting vehicles under the Crit'Air scheme are banned from city centres, with plans to expand these low-emissions zones. First introduced in 2017, the low-emissions zones have helped to lower pollution levels in some cities, but they have long been the target of complaints that they are overly complicated and confusing, as well as poorly enforced. Because many of the rules were introduced on a local level, France ended up with a patchwork of different regulations, meaning the same vehicle might be allowed in the town centre in Bordeaux, but not in Paris. Added to that is the fact that local authorities can implement temporary bans on days when pollution levels are high. READ MORE: Crit'Air: How France's vehicle emissions stickers work A new law in 2021 aimed to standardise rules and expand the zones to smaller towns, although wide local disparities remain. Why are we talking about this now? On Wednesday, French MPs voted in favour of an amendment that would scrap low-emission zones, or zones à faibles émissions (ZFEs), as defined in the 2021 law. Advertisement The goal of ZFEs is to decrease air pollution, which contributes to thousands of deaths in France each year, but critics have said that the ZFEs penalise lower-income workers who rely on their vehicles for daily life and cannot afford to replace them with a newer, more environmentally friendly model. The move to get rid of ZFEs was primarily supported by members of the right and far-right, as well as some left-wing politicians. But despite the vote, it is not certain that the low-emission zones will actually be scrapped. What's next? The move to scrap low-emission zones was added as an amendment to a bill currently making its way through parliament, known as the 'simplification' bill , it aims to streamline administrative processes. As of Friday, there were still over 600 amendments left to study before MPs could vote on the full bill. Then, in order to pass, the bill must receive majority support in the Assemblée nationale. Even if the bill as a whole does pass, there are still several hurdles to clear. Firstly, the amendment related to ZFEs could also end up being scrapped by France's Constitutional Council (Conseil Constitutionnel). This happens relatively often in the French legislative process - if MPs add an amendment that is completely unrelated to the original idea of the bill, then the Conseil Constitutionnel has the power to deny it. READ MORE: EXPLAINED: What is France's Constitutional Council and how does it work? The other concern for French lawmakers has to do with the EU. The EU promised to give France €40 billion in subsidies as part of its 2020 European recovery plan , with the understanding that France would take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If France fails to meet these commitments, the country could be required to pay a portion of the aid money back to the EU. On top of that, France's own Conseil d'État (Council of State) could force the country to pay penalties for failing to meet air quality thresholds if the ZFEs are scrapped, French news site Capital reported. Advertisement What is the current status of the low-emission zones? As of January 2025, there were 42 urban areas classified as ZFEs, meaning motorists must display the Crit'Air sticker, but the requirement to gradually increase bans on polluting vehicles has been diluted quite a bit in the last few years, in response to criticism. READ MORE: MAP: The French cities with Crit'Air low emission zones in 2025 Initially, as part of France's 'climate and resistance law' from 2021, the parliament voted to gradually require urban areas with more than 150,000 inhabitants to bring in low-emission zones. The idea was that from 2023, Crit'Air 5 vehicles would be banned, then Crit'Air 4 vehicles from 2024 and eventually Crit'Air 3 vehicles from 2025. However, in reality, local authorities have been allowed to enforce the rules by their own standards, meaning the exceptions from city to city still vary greatly. Advertisement Following pushback from the public, the French government announced in 2023 they would soften the plans. They decided instead to create two separate distinctions for urban areas based on pollution levels. Cities that regularly exceed air quality thresholds (now called ZFE 'Territories') would have to continue to restrict highly polluting vehicles according to the original rules. In contrast, urban areas that stay within air quality thresholds would be considered 'vigilance zones' and would not be required to enforce new restrictions, though they can do so voluntarily. At the start of 2025, only a handful of cities opted to tighten restrictions on polluting vehicles, while Paris and Lyon were the only two classed as ZFE 'Territories' and required to restrict Crit'Air 3 vehicles. So do I still need a Crit'Air sticker? Fascinating as the French parliamentary process undoubtedly is, for most drivers the big question will be whether you still need a Crit'Air sticker to drive in France (and remember that these are required for foreign-registered vehicles as well). At present, the answer is yes, they are still required - it will take several months to exhaust the various next parliamentary steps, and then a date for ending the scheme must be formalised. In truth, Crit'Air is one of the most straightforward pieces of French admin - you order the sticker online (there's even an English-language version of the website ) at a cost of €3.18 if you are in France or €4.91 if you are in another country. The sticker lasts as long as you keep the vehicle.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
France could scrap its version of Ulez
France could abandon its version of ultra-low-emission zones as lawmakers debate a bill aimed at simplifying environmental regulations. Members of the French parliament are set to vote on whether to scrap the scheme or to scale it back, with critics arguing that it unfairly punishes poorer motorists who are unable to change vehicles. Under French laws passed in 2019 and 2021, local authorities whose urban areas exceed regulatory air-quality thresholds must set up low-emission zones (ZFE). The aim is to cut emissions of fine particles, which authorities say are responsible for 48,000 deaths a year in France, by excluding certain old or polluting vehicles. Some 24 towns and cities, notably Paris and Lyon, as well as Grenoble and Montpellier, have introduced these to varying degrees. Since Jan 1, no private diesel cars registered before 2011 or petrol cars registered before 2006 are allowed to drive in these four cities. Vehicles that enter such zones must carry 'Crit'Air' stickers proving their low-pollution levels. Those who fail to comply risk being hit by a fine of up to €135. All French cities with more than 150,000 residents are supposed to introduce ZFE this year. But a group of MPs from the National Rally and the Right – along with a few independents and MPs from Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance group – have tabled a proposal to scrap the low-emission zones altogether. When drawing up the plan, the Left abstained, suggesting wide support. The measure will be debated in the National Assembly as part of a wider law on 'simplifying economic life' in France. If the law is passed, Le Monde, the newspaper, estimates that almost three million vehicles banned from the roads in big cities will be able to enter them once again. Defenders of the scheme point to studies showing they significantly reduce air pollution and respiratory disease. But many motorists and politicians have warned that rolling out such zones more widely could spark a huge public backlash, mainly from poorer motorists who are unaware of the changes or unable to pay to upgrade or change their vehicles in time. As half of motorists coming into ZFEs live outside the towns, they do not qualify for certain aid or dispensations. Last Sunday, demonstrations against ZFE were staged in Paris, Toulouse and other cities. 'Accepting ZFE means accepting punitive and anti-social environmental measures,' Jordan Bardella, the National Rally leader, said recently. Laurent Wauquiez, the head of the conservative Republicans Party in parliament, said they 'lead to social anger, territorial division and economic suicide'. In February, François Bayrou, the prime minister, said that 'it is the poorest, those who cannot afford it, who live far away, who are the victims'. The result of any vote will largely depend on turnout in France's fractured parliament. Although there is a slim chance that all ZFE will be scrapped, it is more likely that the scheme will be watered down The government hopes to persuade MPs to keep the legislation with an amendment that would only oblige Paris and Lyon to implement the zones due to their pollution levels being twice above WHO recommendations. In other cases, it will be up to town halls to decide whether they want to go ahead with them. The government is desperate not to see the entire low-emission scheme scrapped as it risks having to reimburse the European Union part of the €3.3 billion in funds earmarked for ZFE this year alone. France is due to receive €40.3 billion to support its implementation. 'We then want to give the municipalities the freedom to implement the measures they want for air quality,' Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the ecological transition minister, told Le Figaro newspaper. 'Pollution is a major public-health issue. It is the most vulnerable who are impacted, those who live close to roads, especially those living in social housing. ZFEs are one of the tools for reducing air pollution, particularly in large conurbations. 'Everyone has the right to move around, but also to breathe. There is a dual objective: the health of the French people and social justice. That is what is at stake in this amendment.' In a separate initiative, some 35 MPs from the Right, the centrist MoDem and the independent Liot group have tabled another bill that will be examined in parliament in the coming weeks calling for a five-year moratorium on the scheme. London has the world's largest pollution-charging scheme, Ulez, which was implemented in the city centre in 2019 before expanding to all of Greater London's nine million residents in 2023. It requires motorists to switch to low-emission vehicles or face a daily charge of £12.50 for driving a polluting car within the zone. Its expansion saw fierce opposition from outer London residents, with local councils launching unsuccessful legal challenges and hundreds of ULEZ cameras vandalised by disgruntled people. In Paris and Lyon, the system currently relies on random police controls, and it is unclear when automated number-plate checks will be introduced. Despite the controversy, experts have insisted that low-emission zones work. 'Introducing a clean air zone, in particular Ulez, has wider societal benefits,' said Christopher Griffiths, a senior author and professor at London's Queen Mary University. He told AFP that 'the data is clear that the Ulez has delivered a massive improvement in air quality beyond what was expected or predicted' and said clean air schemes across Europe 'are the one public health tool that we have that is being shown to be effective'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. 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Telegraph
09-04-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
France could scrap its version of Ulez
France could abandon its version of ultra-low-emission zones as lawmakers debate a bill aimed at simplifying environmental regulations. Members of the French parliament are set to vote on whether to scrap the scheme or to scale it back, with critics arguing that it unfairly punishes poorer motorists who are unable to change vehicles. Under French laws passed in 2019 and 2021, local authorities whose urban areas exceed regulatory air-quality thresholds must set up low-emission zones (ZFE). The aim is to cut emissions of fine particles – which authorities say are responsible for 48,000 deaths a year in France – by excluding certain old or polluting vehicles. Some 24 towns and cities, notably Paris and Lyon, as well as Grenoble and Montpellier, have introduced these to varying degrees. Since Jan 1, no private diesel cars registered before 2011 or petrol cars registered before 2006 are allowed to drive in these four cities. Vehicles who enter such zones must carry 'Crit'Air' stickers proving their low-pollution levels. Those who fail to comply risk being hit by a fine of up to €135. All French cites with more than 150,000 residents are supposed to introduce ZFE this year. 'Low-emission zones are economic suicide' But a group of MPs from the National Rally and the Right – along with a few independents and MPs from Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance group – have tabled a proposal to scrap the low-emission zones altogether. When drawing up the plan, the Left abstained, suggesting wide support. The measure will be debated in the National Assembly as part of a wider law on 'simplifying economic life' in France. If the law is passed, Le Monde, the newspaper, estimates that almost three million vehicles banned from the roads in big cities will be able to enter them once again. Defenders of the scheme point to studies showing they significantly reduce air pollution and respiratory disease. But many motorists and politicians have warned that rolling out such zones more widely could spark a huge public backlash, mainly from poorer motorists who are unaware of the changes or unable to pay to upgrade or change their vehicles in time. As half of motorists coming into ZFEs live outside the towns, they do not qualify for certain aid or dispensations. Last Sunday, demonstrations against ZFE were staged in Paris, Toulouse and other cities. 'Accepting ZFE means accepting punitive and anti-social environmental measures,' Jordan Bardella, the National Rally leader, said recently. Laurent Wauquiez, the head of the conservative Republicans Party in parliament, said they 'lead to social anger, territorial division and economic suicide'. In February, François Bayrou, the prime minister, said that 'it is the poorest, those who cannot afford it, who live far away, who are the victims'. The result of any vote will largely depend on turnout in France's fractured parliament. Although there is a slim chance that all ZFE will be scrapped, it is more likely that the scheme is watered down The government hopes to persuade MPs to keep the legislation with an amendment that would only oblige Paris and Lyon to implement the zones due to their pollution levels being twice above WHO recommendations. In other cases, it will be up to town halls to decide whether they want to go ahead with them. The government is desperate not to see the entire low-emission scheme scrapped as it risks having to reimburse the European Union part of the €3.3 billion in funds earmarked for ZFE this year alone. France is due to receive €40.3 billion to support its implementation. 'We then want to give the municipalities the freedom to implement the measures they want for air quality,' Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the ecological transition minister, told Le Figaro newspaper. 'Pollution is a major public-health issue. It is the most vulnerable who are impacted, those who live close to roads, especially those living in social housing. ZFEs are one of the tools for reducing air pollution, particularly in large conurbations. 'Everyone has the right to move around, but also to breathe. There is a dual objective: the health of the French people and social justice. That is what is at stake in this amendment.' In a separate initiative, some 35 MPs from the Right, the centrist MoDem and the independent Liot group have tabled another bill that will be examined in parliament in the coming weeks calling for a five-year moratorium on the scheme. London has the world's largest pollution-charging scheme, Ulez, which was implemented in the city centre in 2019 before expanding to all of Greater London's nine million residents in 2023. It requires motorists to switch to low-emission vehicles or face a daily charge of £12.50 for driving a polluting car within the zone. Its expansion saw fierce opposition from outer London residents, with local councils launching unsuccessful legal challenges and hundreds of ULEZ cameras vandalised by disgruntled people. In Paris and Lyon, the system currently relies on random police controls, and it is unclear when automated number-plate checks will be introduced. Despite the controversy, experts have insisted that low-emission zones work. 'Introducing a clean air zone, in particular Ulez, has wider societal benefits,' said Christopher Griffiths, a senior author and professor at London's Queen Mary University. He told AFP that 'the data is clear that the Ulez has delivered a massive improvement in air quality beyond what was expected or predicted' and said clean air schemes across Europe 'are the one public health tool that we have that is being shown to be effective'.
