2026 Price Shock: How Rising Costs Will Hit Drivers and Homeowners in France

From hidden fuel price rises to higher property taxes and more speed cameras, 2026 will be an expensive year for motorists and homeowners in France. Here is what to expect and how to prepare.

France is heading into 2026 with a wave of cost increases that will hit both drivers and property owners. Between higher fuel prices, a new jump in property tax and a boom in speed cameras, many households will see their budget squeezed.

Fuel prices rising from January

From the 1st January 2026, fuel at the pump in France is expected to climb by around 4 to 6 centimes per litre. This rise does not come from a classic tax hike, but from the strengthening of the “Certificats d’économie d’énergie” (CEE) scheme, which obliges energy suppliers to fund energy savings.

The CEE surcharge in fuel prices is currently estimated at about 11 centimes per litre and should move towards roughly 15–17 centimes in 2026.
For a typical 50‑litre fill, that means paying around €2–€3 more than today, depending on the type of fuel and station pricing.

For many motorists, this looks and feels like a “hidden tax” added on top of already high pump prices, and motorists’ associations in France have already raised concerns about its impact on working households and long‑distance commuters.

What this means for everyday drivers

If you drive regularly for work, school runs or long rural journeys, these extra cents per litre will quickly add up. Even if international oil prices remain stable, the CEE adjustment alone will be enough to push average petrol and diesel prices up from the beginning of the year.

Motorists are already being encouraged to:

Optimise trips (car‑pooling, combining errands, using public transport where possible).
Check tyre pressure and driving style to cut consumption.
Compare prices between local stations and supermarket forecourts, which can still offer more competitive rates.

Property tax: another increase for owners

Homeowners will also face a new increase in taxe foncière in 2026, even without any change in local tax rates. Each year, the taxable base (valeur locative cadastrale) is automatically revalued in line with the harmonised consumer price index (IPCH) for November, published by Insee.

For 2026, the revaluation is expected to be around 0.8–1%, reflecting low but positive inflation.
This automatic revaluation applies to around 32 million property owners and leads to a national rise in property tax even before any local decisions are taken.

Between 2014 and 2024, average property tax bills increased strongly, and projections show an average bill continuing to edge up again in 2026. Even small annual percentage rises, when repeated over years, significantly increase the long‑term cost of owning a home.

Local surcharges still possible

On top of the national indexation, municipalities remain free to raise their own tax rates and have until mid‑April 2026 to set them. In recent years, a noticeable share of communes has chosen to increase rates to cover rising operating costs and investment needs, meaning the final increase can be much higher than the national index alone.

Owners therefore need to:

Monitor announcements from their mairie and intercommunal structure.
Anticipate the property tax bill in their 2026 household budget.
Check whether any exemptions or reliefs apply (age, income, disability, vacant properties, etc.).

A stronger radar arsenal on the roads

Alongside higher running costs, motorists will face more road controls from 2026 onwards. The French state expects around €693 million in revenue from automated speed cameras in 2026, significantly more than initially forecast.

Around 340 urban speed cameras are planned for 2026, targeting city and suburban areas where speed limits are often 30 or 50 km/h.
Thanks to the 3DS law, local authorities can now install their own speed cameras, which opens the door to an unprecedented expansion of the network, with projections of 3,000 to 5,000 additional devices in the coming years.

The overall forecast for fines from traffic violations in 2026 is over €2 billion, with the majority coming from electronic fines and a large share specifically from speed cameras. This reflects both safety objectives and a growing reliance on automated enforcement to generate revenue.

Practical impact for drivers

For everyday motorists, this means:

More cameras in towns, villages and peri‑urban areas, especially at pedestrian crossings, school zones and accident‑prone spots.
A higher probability of receiving fines for even small speed excesses or red‑light violations.
Stronger incentives to use speed limiters, cruise control and driving‑assist systems to avoid costly tickets and licence points.

How households can prepare for 2026

For expats and French households alike, these changes come on top of general cost‑of‑living pressures such as food, energy and insurance. Taking a proactive approach can soften the blow.

Budgeting tips for motorists

Review annual mileage and consider whether some journeys can move to train, bus, bike or car‑sharing.
If you are planning to change car, factor fuel consumption and insurance into the decision, not just purchase price.
Use fuel price comparison apps or sites that list the cheapest stations in your area in France.

Budgeting tips for homeowners

Add a margin of at least 1–2% on top of your 2025 property tax bill when planning the 2026 budget to cover indexation and potential local increases.
For landlords, check whether a moderate rent increase is legally possible and justified to offset rising property charges, respecting French rental regulations.
Keep all property tax notices and related documents; they are useful if you need to contest an error or apply for relief.

These measures are already fuelling debate among motorists’ associations, property owner organisations and local elected officials. Many see the CEE‑linked fuel increase and the spread of radars as indirect taxation measures that weigh heavily on middle‑income households and those living far from major cities.

At the same time, the government is under pressure to finance ecological transitions, maintain public services and respect deficit targets, which partly explains the search for new or reinforced revenue channels. Whether compensation measures or targeted support will be introduced in 2026 remains to be seen, especially for the most vulnerable households and rural areas.