France August 2026: New Rules on Benefits, Cold-Calling Ban, and More

Several measures take effect in France in August 2026: the **Livret A savings rate** was revised on August 1; a **ban on unsolicited commercial telephone calls** (télédémarchage) comes into force on August 11, companies that call numbers registered on the Bloctel anti-solicitation list will face heavy fines; and the **back-to-school allowance** (allocation de rentrée scolaire, ARS) is paid from **August 18**. Source: economie.gouv.fr, service-public.fr.

The Livret A rate is reviewed twice a year (February 1 and August 1) by the Banque de France using a formula tied to short-term interbank rates and inflation. For the exact rate effective August 1, 2026, check the Banque de France or economie.gouv.fr, the rate is set by ministerial decree and updated at the official sources. Source: banque-france.fr.

From **August 11, 2026**, unsolicited commercial telephone calls are banned in France during certain hours and under stricter conditions. Companies making cold calls to numbers registered on the **Bloctel** anti-solicitation list are subject to significant fines. The measure aims to reduce the harassment of consumers by telemarketing companies. Source: economie.gouv.fr.

The **allocation de rentrée scolaire (ARS)** is a means-tested benefit paid by the CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) to eligible families to help cover back-to-school costs (school supplies, clothing, etc.) for children aged 6 to 18 who are enrolled in school. In 2026, the ARS is paid from **August 18**. The amount varies by child's age: check the CAF website (caf.fr) for the exact 2026 amounts and your household's eligibility. Source: service-public.fr.

The ARS is paid to families receiving means-tested benefits (RSA, AAH, prime d'activité, or APL) or whose income falls below a certain ceiling, who have at least one child aged **6 to 18** enrolled in primary or secondary school. Eligibility and payment are handled automatically by the **CAF** if you already receive benefits; otherwise check your entitlement on caf.fr. Source: service-public.fr.

**Bloctel** (bloctel.gouv.fr) is the official French anti-telemarketing list. You can register any phone number (landline or mobile) free of charge. Once registered, commercial companies are legally prohibited from calling that number for prospecting purposes. Registration is valid for 3 years and can be renewed. Source: bloctel.gouv.fr.

In addition to the Livret A rate revision, the télédémarchage ban, and the ARS payment, other annual adjustments typically apply in August in France: energy tariff revisions, updates to social minimum benefits indexed to inflation (RSA, AAH), and new public-sector pay scales. For the full list, check economie.gouv.fr or service-public.fr under the 'ce qui change' section for August 2026. Source: economie.gouv.fr.

The **Livret A** is France's most popular regulated savings account, held by around 55 million people. Its interest rate is set by the government and exempt from income tax and social charges. The rate matters because it directly affects the return on French households' main liquid savings, and it also benchmarks other regulated savings products (LDDS, LEP). When inflation is high, a low Livret A rate means savers lose purchasing power in real terms. Source: banque-france.fr.