Procedure
On January 29, 2026, France’s 2026 budget was considered definitively adopted by the National Assembly[1]. This adoption marks the end of a legislative process that has been fraught with obstacles for several months.
The 2026 budget was adopted through the exceptional procedure provided for in Article 49, paragraph 3 (commonly referred to as “Article 49-3”) of the Constitution[2], followed by referrals to the Constitutional Council[3] regarding the constitutionality of certain articles of the 2026 budget. Article 49-3 provides for the adoption of a finance bill by the National Assembly after the Prime Minister has committed his government’s responsibility for its adoption if no no-confidence vote is tabled and voted on within 24 hours of the activation of this article. Referral to the Constitutional Council allows for the examination of the constitutionality of certain articles of the law that have just been adopted by Parliament and before promulgation, according to specific referral conditions.
In summary, here are the final steps in the procedure that led to the adoption of the 2026 budget:
- January 29, 2026: Review of the finance bill by the finance committee
- January 30, 2026:
- Government accountability (49-3)
- Two no-confidence votes tabled by members of parliament
- February 2, 2026: Rejection of both no-confidence votes
- February 4, 5, and 6, 2026: Referrals to the Constitutional Council
- February 19, 2026: Decision of the Constitutional Council -> Partial non-compliance
- Final adoption of the 2026 budget following its publication in the JORF[4] on February 20, 2026.
Article 128 of the 2026 State budget law
Article 128 of the 2026 State budget law modifies the fees for residence permits[5], exchanges of foreign driver’s licenses[6], and French citizenship applications[7]. The following are the new fees applicable following the adoption of the 2026 budget:
- Residence permits:
- First issuance: 300 € (previously 200 €)
- Renewal: 200 € (no change)
- Stamp duty: 50 € (previously 25 €)
- N.B. Reduced/specific rates may apply for certain categories of residence permits.
- Exchange of foreign driver’s licenses: New fee for exchanging foreign driver’s licenses in France: 40 €
- Application for French citizenship (applications for reinstatement, naturalization, or declarations of acquisition of French nationality): 255 € (previously 55 €)
Entry into force
The above provisions of Article 128 of the 2026 State budget law are not yet applicable.
They will be applicable from May 1, 2026[8].
[1] Lower house of the bicameral Parliament
[2] https://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/en/constitution-of-4-october-1958
[3] Institution responsible for ensuring compliance with the Constitution, whose duties include verifying that laws are in line with the Constitution, among other things.
[4] Official paper in which all legal texts of the French Republic are published, and which enables them to come into force
[5] New Articles L. 436-1, L. 436-2, and L. 436-7 of the CESEDA (French Code for Entry and Residence of Foreigners and Right of Asylum)
[6] New Articles L.421-168 and L. 421-169 of the Code of Taxation on Goods and Services
[7] New Article 958 of the General Tax Code
[8] VII of Article 128 of Law No. 2026-103 of February 19, 2026, on finance for 2026 (1)
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