What’s changing in France from March 2026: new rules that Ukrainians should know about
March 2026 will bring a number of changes that will directly affect the daily lives and expenses of French residents, including Ukrainian refugees residing in the country and using social, transport and commercial services. These innovations cover the areas of e-commerce, vehicle registration, healthcare and social benefits, as well as seasonal time changes that require attention when planning daily activities.
New fee for international parcels
From March 1, 2026, France will introduce an additional fee for parcels from countries outside the European Union. The fee applies to shipments worth less than €150 and is €2 for each individual item in the parcel. Thus, if a parcel contains several items, the fee may be charged separately for each of them.
The government explains the innovation by the rapid growth of international online trade and the need to balance competition between French sellers and foreign marketplaces. For Ukrainians receiving goods from abroad, this means that daily delivery costs may increase, and shopping planning will require additional attention to shipping costs.
Increase in vehicle registration fees
The cost of registering vehicles in several regions of France has also increased. In the Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, the tax on the registration certificate (carte grise) has risen by €14, to €68.95. Similar increases have occurred in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Corsica and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
For Ukrainian refugees who use cars for transportation and work, this means additional budget planning and taking these changes into account when purchasing or re-registering vehicles.
Medical fees and impact on patients
In the healthcare sector, the daily fee for hospital stays has been increased to €23, and the fee for non-hospitalized emergency department visits has also been increased to €23. For most patients, these costs are covered by health insurance, but those who pay for medical services themselves will feel an additional financial burden.
It is important for Ukrainians to consider this when planning visits to hospitals and emergency departments, as the changes may affect the part of the costs that will have to be covered independently.
Social benefits and changes in the rules
The French government has also revised the conditions for increasing family benefits. Previously, payments increased automatically when the child turned 14; now the increase will be accrued after the child turns 18.
For Ukrainian families using social programs, this means that the automatic increase has been postponed, and it is worth carefully monitoring the conditions for calculating benefits.
Daylight saving time
At the end of March, France will traditionally switch to daylight saving time. On the night of March 28-29, 2026, the clocks will be moved forward one hour — from 2:00 to 3:00. Despite discussions in the European Union about canceling seasonal clock changes, this practice will remain in force in France. For Ukrainians planning work, study, and travel, this means the need to take into account the time change when organizing daily activities and transportation.
