From May 1st, modifications in several areas will take effect: RSA security updates, adjustments in gas prices, and the introduction of grey card regulations.

May 1st Changes: The brand new month brings along several adjustments for households and businesses, here's a lowdown on what to expect starting May 1st.

Gas Prices Plummet

Heating bills for gas users will see a reduction, as the Energy Regulation Commission (CRE) has announced a 6.4% decrease in the reference price per kilowatt-hour (kWh), diving from 0.12412 euros to 0.11619 euros. Those using gas solely for cooking or hot water will also experience a decrease of 5.12%. This marks the first decrease in gas prices since November 2024.

Employer Contributions Shift

Businesses will witness changes in employer contributions according to the government website entreprendre.service-public.fr. Effective May 1, the global rate of employer's unemployment insurance contribution drops from 4.05% to 4.00%. Conversely, the contribution rate for work-related accidents and occupational diseases hikes from 0.46% to 0.50%. On the brighter side, businesses with 50-249 employees will receive a 0.50 euro reduction for each overtime hour worked by an employee starting from May 1, 2025.

Social benefits such as Active Solidarity Income (RSA), activity bonus, family allowances, and the Disability Allowance for Adults (AAH) are revalued by 1.7% in line with the observed inflation. The increase varies for individual recipients and family sizes. For instance, a single person on RSA will receive an additional 10.81 euros per month, while a couple without children will receive 969.78 euros, and a household with one dependent child will receive 1,163.73 euros.

Energy Check Delay

The 5.7 million beneficiaries of the energy check will have to wait until fall to receive their check. The check, which is normally disbursed between April and May, will only be distributed in November due to the late adoption of the 2025 finance law. The amount remains the same and will be automatically paid to existing recipients, while new applicants will need to register on the dedicated website.

Minimum Wage Spike for Animation Sector

The Educational Engagement Contract (CEE) has seen changes, as announced by the government. The minimum remuneration paid under these contracts is now 4.3 times the hourly minimum wage, representing a gross amount of 51.08 euros per day. This new policy applies to individuals who perform animation or supervision functions in leisure centers or vacation camps.

Free Electric Car Registration Fades

A previous incentive to buy an eco-friendly vehicle provides free car registration for electric cars. However, as of May 1st, this exemption will end in all regions except Hauts-de-France, where the amount of the tax will depend on the pricing policy set by each regional council.

Parisian Carpool Lane Fine

Drivers using the carpool lane on the Parisian ring road alone will face a 135 euro fine starting from May 1st. Ten radars equipped with a camera capable of recognizing shapes will be activated to detect the number of people on board. This lane, which was implemented on March 3, is reserved for vehicles transporting at least two people, buses, taxis, and emergency vehicles during specific hours and days.

The decrease in gas prices, a 6.4% drop in the reference price of kWh, will result in reduced heating bills for households.
Cooking and hot water usage for gas users will also experience a decrease of 5.12%.
This marks the first decrease in gas prices since November 2024, providing a relief for consumers.
Businesses will see changes in employer contributions, with the global rate of unemployment insurance contribution decreasing from 4.05% to 4.00%.
Contrarily, the contribution rate for work-related accidents and occupational diseases will increase from 0.46% to 0.50%.
A bright spot for businesses comes in the form of a 0.50 euro reduction for each overtime hour worked by an employee, starting from May 1, 2025.
Social benefits such as RSA, activity bonus, family allowances, and AAH are revalued by 1.7% in line with the observed inflation.
The increase rates vary for individual recipients and family sizes, with a single person on RSA receiving an additional 10.81 euros per month.
A couple without children will receive 969.78 euros, and a household with one dependent child will receive 1,163.73 euros.
The energy check, meant to assist 5.7 million beneficiaries, will be delayed until fall due to the late adoption of the 2025 finance law.
The check, typically disbursed between April and May, will only be distributed in November.
New applicants will need to register on the dedicated website to receive the energy check.
The minimum remuneration paid under CEE contracts in the animation sector has increased, now at 4.3 times the hourly minimum wage.
This policy applies to individuals who perform animation or supervision functions in leisure centers or vacation camps.
The gross amount of remuneration paid under these contracts is now 51.08 euros per day.
The free electric car registration incentive will end for most regions, except Hauts-de-France, as of May 1st.
In Hauts-de-France, the amount of the tax will depend on the pricing policy set by each regional council.
Starting May 1st, drivers using the carpool lane on the Parisian ring road alone will face a 135 euro fine.
Ten radars equipped with a camera capable of recognizing shapes will be activated to detect the number of people on board.
The carpool lane, reserved for vehicles transporting at least two people, buses, taxis, and emergency vehicles, was implemented on March 3.
The lane is reserved during specific hours and days.
The spheres of finance, energy, and oil-and-gas may witness policy changes given the decreases in gas prices and the and end of the electric car registration exemption.
Lifestyle choices, such as food-and-drink habits, may also shift due to the impact of the gas price decrease on overall living expenses.
Wealth-management strategies may evolve to account for increased disposable income resulting from lower gas bills.
Home-and-garden expenses may slightly decrease due to the reduced expense of heating homes, freeing up funds for other home improvement projects.
Businesses across various sectors, including renewable-energy and industry, may experience a ripple effect as a result of the changes in gas prices.
Personal-finance management will become more important as consumers seek to maximize their savings due to the decrease in household expenses.
Data-and-cloud-computing specialists may find opportunities to develop new solutions tailored to businesses navigating the adjustments in employer contributions.
The sphere of education-and-self-development may benefit from increased interest in lifelong learning as individuals strive to adapt to the shifting economic landscape.
Increased disposable income and the desire for entertainment may fuel growth in sectors such as travel, cars, books, and online education, creating new trends in casino-and-gambling, casino-games, slots, lotteries, and social-media usage.

From May 1st, modifications in several areas will take effect: RSA security updates, adjustments in gas prices, and the introduction of grey card regulations.