The minimum wage increases
Driven by the price increase observed this year, the minimum wage will increase by 1.8% on January 1, 2023. In gross, the monthly minimum wage will rise to 1,709 euros and the hourly minimum wage to 11.27 euros, to settle at 1,353 euros net. This represents a monthly increase of 24 euros net.
The minimum wage benefits each year from a mechanical increase on 1 January which takes into account the weighted increase in prices for the 20% of households with the lowest incomes. Revaluations also take place during the year as soon as inflation exceeds 2%, which has led to two exceptional increases this year (2.6% on 1 May and 2% on 1 August) after the automatic one of 0.9% in January 2022.
The PEL rate too
Fixed at the start of the contract for its entire duration, the rate of the Housing Savings Plan (PEL) has been 1% since 2016. It will drop to 2% on January 1, 2023.
“This rate of 2% will apply to newly opened PELs in 2023 and will therefore not concern the stock of existing PELs”, however specifies the ministry.
End of fuel allowance
The discount of 10 cents at the pump put in place by the government to deal with inflation is coming to an end. It will be replaced from January 1 by a “fuel allowance” of 100 euros, issued to the most modest French people who are dependent on their car for work.
Pensions increase
Basic scheme pensions will increase from 1 January 2023. This increase (0.8%) comes on top of the two increases already observed in 2022 (1% in January and 4% in July). In total, 14 million seniors should be able to benefit from the increase.
Disappearing red stamps
As of January 1, the red stamp (urgent mail) disappears. It will be replaced by a dematerialized “e-Letter” which must be sent before 8 p.m. to the La Poste site, which will print it and send it to the recipient.
Letters sent with a green stamp, the most used for daily mailings, will be distributed in three days instead of two today. Their price will remain unchanged, at 1.16 euros for shipments up to 20 grams.
Free condoms for under 26s
Emmanuel Macron announced it on December 9: male condoms will now be free in pharmacies for those under 26. The Head of State first announced this measure for 18-25 year olds before finally extending it to minors.
End of disposable packaging in fast food restaurants
From January 1, fast food will have to use reusable dishes for meals and drinks served at the table, whether cups, lids, plates, containers or cutlery, in application of the law relating to the fight against waste and the circular economy (Agec) voted in 2020.
Fast food chains serve 6 billion meals per year in 30,000 points of sale in France, which generates 180,000 tonnes of waste each year.
Thermal strainers prohibited for hire
Under the Climate and Resilience Law of 2021, properties rated F and G in the energy performance diagnosis (DPE) will be gradually banned from rental from January 2023. This ban will also apply to furnished tourist accommodation, such as Airbnb .