News Digest: Property Declaration Deadline Extension, Scam Messages & Retiring to France Webinar

As the French authorities have extended the deadline for homeowners to complete the obligatory new property declaration by one month, they also warn against scam messages circulating, and have announced the proposed return of a glass deposit scheme. Finally, we’re excited to share that registration is now open for our free webinar on retiring to France. Here are the French news stories you need to know about this week.

1. France’s new Declaration d’Occupation deadline extended

Since January 2023, owners of residential property in France, regardless of whether they live there or it is their second home or investment property, have been required to complete a declaration of the occupancy situation of their property or properties. Given the recent influx of declarations completed near the end of the initial deadline of June 30th, the government have extended the deadline to July 31st, 2023.

Information on completing the mandatory Declaration d’Occupation can be found in Digital Editor Zoë Smith’s step-by-step guide

2. Our next free webinar, Retiring to France: Pensions, Healthcare & Estate Planning

On Thursday 13th July 2023, 11:am London (BST), host Zoë Smith will be joined by a panel of expert advisors to answer all your questions on retiring to France in our second Moving to France webinar. Join us to learn about the different options for pensions, QROPS, and tax considerations; how to get into the French healthcare system; and what you need to know about French inheritance law, estate planning, and wealth management. You can now register for free and watch back our previous webinar on our YouTube channel to know what to expect:

3. Glass deposits set to be introduced nationwide

Last week the Secretary of State for Ecology Bérangère Couillard announced a glass deposit scheme will be rolled out across France within the next two years. In an attempt to reduce food packaging waste and single-use plastics, the initiative will encourage customers to return bottles and jars to supermarkets where they can be sanitised and reused. The scheme is set to be trialled at certain supermarkets throughout the year before being introduced across France.

4. Beware of scam texts regarding taxes

The Treasury Department of the French state (DGFiP: Direction Générale des Finances Publiques) has warned against fraudulent SMS messages that may encourage recipients to rectify unpaid fines, bills or taxes. They state that they will never send SMS for non-payment, and urge users to consult the online platform or contact the relevant authority through verified details. Do not click links within texts unless you are sure of the sender.

Note: French Government services and emails tend to have ‘gouv.fr’ at the end

#MardiConseil | Fraudes : attention aux arnaques !

Mails, SMS ou appels frauduleux, la Direction régionale des finances publiques d’Occitanie met en garde sur les tentatives de fraude par usurpation d’identité des services publics.

❗️Soyez vigilants pic.twitter.com/i5ETVW919U

— Préfet d’Occitanie et de la Haute-Garonne (@PrefetOccitanie) April 11, 2023

5. The Pass’Sport has been renewed for 2023-24

The Pass’Sport is a reduction of 50€ on registration in a sports club by young people across France, aiming to encourage participation in sports and activities. This year it will also be accepted for membership in a commercial sports leisure structure such as a gym or climbing room.

It’s open to over 6.5 million beneficiaries including:

• Young people aged 6 to 17 benefiting from the back-to-school allowance (ARS);
• Young people aged 6 to 20 benefiting from the education allowance for disabled children (AEEH);
• Young people aged 16 to 30 benefiting from the allowance for disabled adults (AAH);
• Scholarship students and recipients of annual Crous aid under 28 years of age.

Since its launch in 2021, it has helped more than 2 million young people access over 60,000 sports associations. In the last week of August an email will be sent to eligible young people and families containing a unique code to be claimed.