As the calendar turns to September, France is rolling out a fresh wave of administrative and economic reforms that will touch everyday life for millions of residents. Beyond the start of the school year — which falls on a Tuesday this year — new rules governing sick leave, unemployment benefits, retirement pensions, electronic invoicing, electric vehicle subsidies, and gas prices are set to take effect.
High schools join the mobile phone ban
The prohibition on mobile phone use, already in place in primary and middle schools since 2018, will now extend to high schools. Under a law aimed at protecting minors from social media, students will be required to turn off their phones and store them in bags or lockers during school hours. However, implementation may be uneven: many high schools received the directive only in early July and have not yet updated their internal regulations. Sophie Vénétitay, general secretary of the SNES-FSU union, criticized the government for “political communication and patchwork measures that ignore realities on the ground.”
Sick leave duration now capped
Starting September 1, 2026, the length of sick leave prescribed by doctors will be strictly limited. A first prescription may not exceed 31 days, and any extension cannot surpass 62 days. The measure, included in the Social Security financing law, responds to a 10% rise in sick leave between 2019 and 2024, according to the Ministry of Health. Exceptions remain possible if a health professional deems a longer leave medically necessary.
Unemployment benefits trimmed for mutual contract terminations
Workers who leave their jobs through a rupture conventionnelle — a mutual agreement to end a permanent contract — will see shorter unemployment benefit periods. Those under 55 will now receive 15 months of benefits, three months fewer than before. For those over 55, the duration drops to 20.5 months, representing reductions of 2.5 months for ages 55–56 and 6.5 months for those 57 and older. With over 515,000 such terminations signed in 2024, these agreements now account for more than a quarter of unemployment insurance spending.
Retirement pensions get a boost for parents
Two changes aim to improve retirement outcomes, especially for parents. First, up to two of the quarters granted for the birth, education, or adoption of a child can now count toward early retirement for long careers — a move expected to help many women retire sooner. Second, the reference salary used to calculate pensions will now be based on the best 24 years of earnings for parents of one child, and the best 23 years for parents of two or more, instead of the standard 25 years. This should increase monthly pension amounts for eligible parents.
Electronic invoicing becomes mandatory for businesses
From September 1, all companies must receive their invoices through state-approved electronic platforms. Large mid-sized companies (ETIs) must also issue invoices electronically. The requirement will extend to all businesses by September 1, 2027. The shift is designed to simplify administrative processes and help tax authorities detect VAT fraud more efficiently.
New subsidy for used electric cars
French residents can now apply for financial aid when buying or leasing a used 100% electric vehicle. To qualify, the car must have been first registered in France between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2023, and must be purchased or leased from an authorized automotive professional. The battery must also be in good condition. The subsidy is funded through energy saving certificates (CEE), financed by energy suppliers under the polluter-pays principle. The exact amount varies depending on the operator providing the certificate.
Gas prices climb amid Middle East tensions
After a slight dip of 0.8% in August, the benchmark gas price will rise by 5.6% in September 2026, according to the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE). The price now stands at €172.05 per megawatt-hour including tax, up from €162.89 in August. The public service attributed the increase to “tensions on the gas market for several months, in the context of the persistent conflict in the Middle East.”
