Biowaste, minimum wage, retirement, tobacco, driving license… This new year promises to be full of changes for French people. That is why 20 minutes gives you an update on everything that changes on January 1, 2024.
A new reflex for sorting: bio-waste
From January 1, 2024, all communities will have to offer their residents a solution for sorting their bio-waste, via a point near their home and/or separate collection. The goal: to reduce trash and produce compost or biogas.
Bio-waste represents around a third of what is thrown into the household trash, or 83 kg per year per inhabitant in France. When we say biowaste, we are talking about food items (leftover meals, peelings, expired products, etc.) or plants (leaves, branches, grass, etc.). But the results will not be there straight away: the authorities indicate that only 40% of French people will have a solution of this type in 2024.
The minimum wage increases
Taking into account inflation, the minimum wage is revalued on January 1st. It will experience an increase of 1.13%, thus increasing the gross hourly minimum wage from 11.52 to 11.65 euros.
Full-time, the gross monthly minimum wage will reach 1,766.92 euros, via an increase of 19.72 euros. In net, this will give 1,398.69 euros per month, or 15.61 euros more.
An increase in the price of stamps
La Poste announced it in July: it will cost more to send a letter or a parcel, on average by 8.3%. The Green Letter stamp will increase from 1.16 to 1.29 euros. The Services Plus Letter increases from 2.95 to 2.99 euros, the Registered Letter from 4.83 to 5.36 euros, the International Letter from 1.80 to 1.96 euros. Finally, Colissimo France weighing less than 250 g will increase from 4.95 to 4.99 euros.
A leasing offer for electric vehicles
From January 1, the most modest households will be able to benefit from a leasing offer allowing them to rent an electric car for 100 euros per month. The information is available on the website mon-leasing-electrique.gouv.fr, knowing that the government is counting on the delivery of at least 20,000 cars over the whole year.
No more point deductions for minor speeding violations
Until now, they resulted in the loss of a point on the driving license and a fixed fine. From January 1, 2024, “small” speeding violations, less than 5 km/h, will only be punished by a fine ranging from 68 to 135 euros, depending on the area where the offense was committed.
Speeding between 5 km/h and 20 km/h will result in one point being deducted.
Driving license from age 17
Still on the road, it will now be possible to obtain your driving license from the age of 17 from January 1st. A way, according to the government, to help young people, particularly in rural areas, to gain autonomy to launch into working life.
A revaluation of pensions
Basic retirement pensions will be increased by 5.3%, as announced by Retirement Insurance, due to inflation. This will concern 13 million former private sector employees.
Smoking will cost more
After an increase in May 2023, January 1, 2024 will be synonymous with a further increase in the price of cigarettes. Most packs of 20 will see an increase of 50 cents, but for some it will be more. The pack of Marlboro Red of 20 units, the most smoked in France according to tobacconists, will thus increase from 11.50 to 12.50 euros.
Packs of rolling tobacco, cigars and heating tobacco are also affected by this increase.
The boosted repair bonus
The repair bonus, the aim of which is to encourage individuals to have their defective or damaged products repaired rather than turning to new products, is strong.
The amount of the bonus for five everyday appliances (washing machine, dishwasher, dryer, vacuum cleaner and television) will be doubled, and increased by 5 euros for more than twenty products.
In addition, 24 new equipment will be eligible, to reach 73 products.