8 big problems that France faces this autumn

From budget backlash and the implementation of the controversial Loi Duplomb to deadlines for changing immigration procedures, and of course dealing with US tariffs, this ‘rentrée’ is going to be an especially tricky one for France.

September in France marks la rentrée – when the kids go back to school, adults go back to work and the parliament starts a new term.

It’s traditionally a time for new ideas, fresh initiatives and planned legislation – but a highly combustible political situation, not to mention international tensions, make this year especially difficult.

Battle over the budget

France still has a significant budget deficit to address. The country finally managed to pass its 2025 budget in February, after the first version brought down Michel Barnier’s government at the end of December.

This year, the same challenge remains. In July, French Prime Minister François Bayrou gave an overview of what a possible 2026 budget could entail, intending to cut spending by €40 billion.

Bayrou floated plans such as cutting two public holidays and freezing spending increases (including on pensions and health), except for debt servicing and the defence sector.

However, Bayrou’s proposed cuts have not been popular amongst opposition parties, and the budget could end up bringing down another government.

Debates in parliament begin in late September/early October.

Strikes and protests

French unions have opposed Bayrou’s proposals for budget cuts, and there is a possibility of large-scale mobilisation in September.

The country’s third-largest union, Force Ouvrière, has issued a strike notice for three months in autumn in response to cost-cutting measures announced by the prime minister.

A meeting of France’s inter-syndical – the group representing all the country’s major unions – is scheduled for September 1st, and it’s possible that other unions could join FO’s action.

Meanwhile, a previously unknown online group has issued a call for a complete blockade of the country from September 10th, which appears to be rapidly gaining traction. It remains to be seen how disruptive the action could be.

Agriculture law (Loi Duplomb)

While the piece of agricultural legislation known as the Loi Duplomb has been signed into law, it is possible there will be pushback as its key provisions begin to be enacted.

The law caused a great deal of controversy in France, with more than 1 million people signing a petition to scrap it, in large part due to plans to reintroduce the bee-killing pesticide acetamiprid. Ultimately, France’s Constitutional Council, the country’s highest court, struck down the contested pesticide provision.

However, the final version of the law also includes plans to change the rules on water storage, a topic that has also become more controversial as more parts of France suffer from increasing temperatures and drought each summer.

Water supplies have already started to become a flashpoint – there were violent clashes in the south-west town of Sainte-Soline where giant underground water storage basins were being built in 2023.

Start of EES

The EU is due to bring in its new Entry & Exit System (EES) on October 12th, 2025, with a six-month phased introduction.

EES will require passengers to give biometric details, including fingerprints and a facial scan, and an automated passport scanning to keep track of time spent in the EU for those covered by the 90-day rule.

Although the system covers all of the EU’s external borders, there are particular worries about the busy UK-France border.

Trump tariffs

The EU seems to have struck a deal with Washington for a 15 percent tariff on EU goods entering the US market – but this is more of an outline agreement and negotiations continue on certain sectors.

As such, it is unclear when the tariffs would actually come into force.

Overall, France is not one of the worst-affected EU countries – Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium are expected to be the worst hit – but there are some areas and industries that would be hit especially hard.

In 2024, French exports to the US were driven by aeronautics, beverages (wine and Cognac), and pharmaceuticals.

Brexit cards

As the first post-Brexit residency permits – known as the Article 50 TUE cartes de séjour or WARP cards – begin to reach their expiration dates at the end of 2025 and early 2026, the French government must soon announce instructions for card renewals.

Brits who were living in France prior to Brexit and have the five-year card should benefit from a simplified renewal process as outlined in the Withdrawal Agreement – but at present it not clear exactly how the card renewals will be done (eg online or in person, using a special website or the standard ANEF site).

The Local has been in touch with the Interior Ministry to ask about procedures for renewals.

Immigration law

As for other residency-related questions – as part of the 2024 immigration law, the French parliament voted to bring in stricter language requirements for certain residency cards and French nationality, from January 2026.

Those making their first application for a carte de séjour pluriannuelle (multi-year card, max duration of four years) will from January need to demonstrate a French level of at least A2 according to the DELF/ CERL international language scale.

Those making their first application for a 10-year carte de résident (in most cases, available after five years of consecutive residency) will need to demonstrate at least B1 level in French – an increase from the previous requirement of A2.

Those applying for French citizenship will need to demonstrate at least B2 level in French, instead of the previous requirement of B1. Citizenship applications from January 1st will also involve a written civics exam, with the details to be announced in the coming weeks.

As such, préfectures have a lot of preparation to do this autumn, and many are dealing with significant backlogs. It is possible that the culmination of several new requirements could lead to more delays.

International situation

This isn’t a France specific problem of course, but the international situation remains tense.

France has taken a lead when it comes to military aid to Ukraine, with France and the UK – as Europe’s two major military powers – agreeing to a ‘reassurance force’ to be deployed in the country.

The situation in Gaza shows no sign of improving and president Emmanuel Macron has pledged that France will formally recognise the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September. France, which has both Europe’s largest Jewish population and its largest Muslim population, remains on high alert for the potential for the conflict to spark unrest or terrorists threats within Europe.

8 big problems that France faces this autumn

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