Property Tax Dates, Swimming Fines and Health Costs: News Digest

Property owners in France can now find key dates for the 2026 taxe foncière bills, with notices available online starting August 27th for non-monthly taxpayers and September 19th for those who pay monthly. Paper notices will be sent between August 24th and September 21st for non-monthly taxpayers, and September 21st and October 9th for monthly taxpayers. The payment deadline is October 20th for online payment, or October 15th for other payment methods if the bill is €300 or less.

Taxpayers who made an error on their 2026 income tax declaration can now use the online correction service until the end of November. The service allows correction of certain details, such as figures or ticked boxes, but not major information like marital status or address.

Fines have been introduced for ignoring swimming or water-sports bans, with police able to issue an amende forfaitaire starting August 3rd. The offence is a third-class contravention, with fines up to €450 if taken to the tribunal de police. Residents affected by wildfires in Gironde, Landes and Var can benefit from exceptional insurance measures, with claims for these fires now due by August 31st.

Patients who refuse a pharmacist's substitution with a médicament biosimilaire or médicament hybride from September may lose the benefit of tiers payant, potentially having to pay the full cost of the reference medicine upfront. Assurance Maladie has introduced a clearer annual statement to help residents better understand healthcare costs, including reimbursements and payments related to children on the insured person's account.

The European Central Bank is seeking public input on future euro banknote designs until September 21st, with themes of European culture and rivers and birds. La Poste will increase postal prices from January 1st 2027, with an average 6.73% rise across the board and 4.1% increase for Colissimo parcel prices. Lastly, new rules on commercial démarchage téléphonique come into effect on August 11th, banning cold calls by default unless related to an existing contract or consumer agreement.