The proposed healthcare cost and mailing Christmas presents

Welcome to The Local’s “Americans in France” e-newsletter for members, that includes all of the information and sensible info you want as an American resident, customer or second-home proprietor in France. You can signal as much as obtain it on to your inbox earlier than we publish it on-line through the hyperlink beneath. 

Dear Americans in France,

It’s been a packed month! As you’ll have seen, we have been masking the numerous amendments proposed in France’s draft 2026 Budget. 

The Budget itself is in a precarious place. It might cross. It might not cross. As a end result, these eye-catching amendments might by no means grow to be legislation. Veteran France correspondent, John Lichfield, reckons that PM Sébastien Lecornu may be profitable in pushing ahead a “modestly deficit-cutting finances for subsequent 12 months”.

The modification creating a compulsory well being cost for non-EU foreigners on the customer visa has precipitated fairly a stir, largely as a result of it focused American retirees. 

The precise textual content of the modification itself doesn’t reference Americans, however the description of the modification specifies it’s geared toward “retired Americans dwelling in France who haven’t labored right here”, with the allegation being that retired Americans entry the French healthcare system with out paying into it.

I spoke to the MP behind the modification, François Gernigon, from Angers in central-western France. He mentioned: “It’s a query of equity (…) This modification just isn’t particularly meant to concentrate on Americans, however somewhat it’s about non-EU nationals who haven’t paid into the French healthcare system.”

Is there any fact to this? Tax professional Jonathan Hadida informed me: “American retirees do pay for healthcare in France. Americans aren’t evading taxes right here. They are following the legislation and the prevailing guidelines. They file their tax returns, and in the event that they get a PUMa invoice [healthcare payment], they pay it.”

Hadida surmised that Americans are being focused as a result of “it is a massive, rising group.”

I tuned in as parliament debated the modification. Gernigon learn an electronic mail – ostensibly from a involved American – who advocated in favour of the brand new necessary charge, saying they wish to pay into the system. Many of our readers have echoed this sentiment.

But it was the tone of the talk that struck me. MPs on the far proper overwhelmingly supported the modification, and Marine Le Pen even posted about it on Facebook, writing: “This insanity can’t proceed!”

MPs on the left expressed their opposition, arguing that this difficulty is the results of unfair bilateral tax agreements and ought to be handled by diplomats.

As for Macron’s authorities – finances minister Amélie de Montchalin cautiously authorized of the modification.

She didn’t need to set the precise minimal quantity simply but – preferring to go away that to a future decree – and remained very centered on respecting current diplomatic agreements, like these with different EU nations and worldwide agreements to make sure refugees have entry to healthcare.

Interestingly, she mentioned that the federal government might look to “revise [bilateral agreements with G20 countries] to make sure participation in our social system or a reciprocal mechanism.” 

Does this imply France desires to renegotiate the US-France tax treaty? It’s method too early to say, however the actuality is that the treaty is fairly beneficiant to American retirees, who pay tax on their US pension revenue within the US. On the opposite hand, as readers identified, France taxes its residents’ worldwide estates once they die. 

If this modification reveals something, it’s that Americans (and the expat relocation companies that entice retirees to maneuver right here) are on the French authorities’s radar. 

In different information, Thanksgiving is approaching. My greatest recommendation is to get to your native butcher as quickly as attainable to order your turkey. If you are internet hosting a crowd, you would possibly even must order two turkeys, because the birds right here are usually smaller. Here are some suggestions from different readers.

After Thanksgiving comes the vacation season. If you need to ship any vacation presents in December, begin making ready now.

There appears to nonetheless be lots of confusion at particular person submit places of work in France with regards to sending mail to the US, after the Trump administration introduced that it was ending the de minimis exemption, which beforehand allowed shipments despatched to the US valued beneath $800 to be duty-free. 

Technically, it’s now attainable to ship a Colissimo cargo beneath €650 through La Poste, however you need to fill out and print the label through the Laposte.fr web site. I wrote up a information for a way to take action. 

And it is not too early to sit up for 2026. We’ve acquired the newest on flights to and from France, plus what modifications in France within the new 12 months.

I’ll finish with some recommendation from a fellow American in France: “Come with an open thoughts and never too many expectations. It’s not a fairy story, however their method isn’t at all times improper both, simply completely different.”

If you might have a query (or a tip for fellow Americans), take a second to fill out our ongoing survey.