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CYCLING

Explained: The financial aid to buy a bike in France

The French government has announced it will continue offering grants to help with the cost of buying bicycles until at least 2027, and the financial assistance will be extended to used bikes as well. Here's how to qualify.

Published: 8 January 2024 11:50 CET
Updated: 21 February 2024 11:52 CET
Explained: The financial aid to buy a bike in France
A visitor looks at bicycles displayed at an exhibition called "Bicyclettes" (Bicycles) in Saint Etienne, eastern France, in November 2022 (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / AFP)

The French government has extended the grant (bonus vélo) available to those looking to purchase bicycles to 2027, in an effort to encourage non-polluting transport options.

Previously, the aid was only available to those buying new bikes, but in 2024 authorities opened it up to second-hand bicycles under certain conditions. To qualify government assistance for the purchase of a used bicycle, it must be sold from a ‘professional seller’ not from an individual.

Standard bikes, electric bikes, cargo bikes and those adapted for people with a disability are all covered by the scheme.

The financial aid is open to non-French nationals but you must be resident in France and have a tax number in order to access the grants.

The French government also offers means-tested grants to those purchasing or renting electric cars – here’s our guide to see if you qualify.

READ MORE: The 18 cycling offences in France that could see you fined

Who can benefit from the bonus vélo?

The grant is means tested and intended to help low-income households purchase bicycles.

Depending on your financial situation and the bicycle you want to purchase, you may be eligible for assistance varying between €150 and €2,000.

If have a disability or if you have reference income of under €7,100 (you can find this value on the first page of your French tax declaration, which can be found online in your personal space at the impots.gouv.fr website) then you qualify for the highest rates of assistance.

These are (at a maximum of 40 percent of the cost of the bike);

  • €150 for a classic bike
  • €400 for an electric bike (vélo à assistance électrique)
  • €2,000 for an adapted electric bike (including foldable bicycles, those with cargo apparatuses, and those adapted for certain disabilities)
  • €2,000 for an adapted traditional bike (including foldable bicycles, those with cargo apparatuses, and those adapted for certain disabilities)
  • €2,000 for an electric bicycle trailer (remorque électrique)

For households with reference incomes (per person) between €7,100 and €15,400 in 2024, you do not qualify for assistance when purchasing a classic bicycle, but you can benefit from:

  • Up to €300 for an electric bicycle (vélo à assistance électrique)
  • Up to €1,000 for an adapted electric bicycle (including foldable bicycles, those with cargo apparatuses, and those adapted for certain disabilities)
  • Up to €1,000 for an adapted traditional bicycle (including foldable bicycles, those with cargo apparatuses, and those adapted for certain disabilities)
  • Up to €1,000 for an electric bicycle trailer

Companies, NGOs, and associations can also qualify for the grant, though only for up to €1,000, to help in the purchase of adapted (both classic and electric) bicycles and trailers.

Getting rid of your car?

Both individuals and companies/ associations can get rid of old and/or polluting vehicles for a ‘conversion bonus’ to help purchase a new or used bike.

For individuals this is also means tested – your reference tax income (per person) must be equal to or below €24,900 (as of 2024). 

The ‘conversion bonus’ is typically capped to a maximum of €1,500 per new or used bicycle. Only one bike per person is allowed.

However, if your reference tax income per person is less than or equal to €7,100 or you are disabled, then you can qualify for up to €3,000 in assistance per bicycle.

Similarly, if you live in a low-emission zone (ZFE) then you may qualify for an extra €1,000 in aid, and up to €3,000 if you benefit from a local subsidy.

The eligible bicycles include:

  • electric bicycles (vélo à assistance électrique)
  • electric assisted bicycles with cargo apparatuses cargo bikes, provided that they are electrically assisted;
  • electric assisted ‘longtail’ bicycles (eg. those with extensions in the back that allow for children’s seats)
  • electric disability adapted bicycles
  • Folding electric bicycles

How to request the grant

You must request the grant within six months of acquiring the bicycle, and this must be done online at the website primealaconversion.gouv.fr under the démarches tab.

You can log on using FranceConnect or your log-in information for the French tax site (impots.gouv.fr). 

Keep in mind that you will need your tax number to finalise the application.

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LIVING IN FRANCE

What is France’s ‘citizen service’ and who has to do it?

Although France no longer has compulsory military service, there is still a requirement for a 'citizen service' known as the JDC - and for most younger people this is compulsory, including young foreigners who take French citizenship.

Published: 24 May 2024 17:11 CEST
What is France's 'citizen service' and who has to do it?

France scrapped compulsory military service in 1997 so its teenagers are no longer required to do 10 months of square-bashing, boot polishing and cross country runs.

They are, however, required to do the Journée défense et citoyenneté (JDC) in most cases – although this at least has the benefit of being just a single day.

What is it? 

The JDC is basically a one-day course or learning exercise about your rights and responsibilities as a citizen of France.

You will receive teaching on three main areas;

  • The general issues and objectives of national defence, and on the different forms of commitment required from citizens. This part of the course is usually taught by members of the French military
  • Civics lessons – similar to those given in French schools – based on the Charte des droits et devoirs du citoyen français (Charter of rights and duties of French citizens)
  • Information on equality between men and women, on the fight against sexist prejudice and on the fight against physical, psychological or sexual violence committed within the couple

You will also be given a brief test on your knowledge of the French language. This is for everyone, not just foreigners, and language learners can feel comforted by the fact that plenty of native French people also struggle with the intricacies of their language.

You do not have to pass any kind of exam on the contents of the citizenship course – more on the curriculum here.

The course usually lasts seven and a half hours – basically a standard working day.

Who has to do it?

There are two things that young people in France must do – the recensement citoyen (citizen census) and then, in most cases, the JDC.

The recensement citoyen is compulsory for;

  • Any French citizens who are turning 16 – they must complete the registration within three months of their 16th birthday.
  • Anyone who gains French nationality between the ages of 16 and 25 – they must sign up within a month of getting their citizenship.

It is not required for people older than 25 who gain French citizenship, neither is it required for non-French citizens – even if they are long-term residents in France.

People who fail to complete the recensement citoyen when required cannot be inscribed onto the electoral rolls (and therefore cannot vote), while the certificate of completion is also usually required to enrol for French public exams or administrative exams (eg professional qualifications).

Once you have completed the census, you will then receive notice for the one-day citizenship course (JDC). This is compulsory for most people, although there are exceptions for people who have a disability or a long-term illness.

How do you do it?

First off, the recensement citoyen can be done either online or in person, if you choose the online option it is done at the local mairie.

It’s a relatively simple sign-up process and then you receive the attestation de recensement, which will be required for registering for exams. Once you have completed this, you will automatically be added to the electoral roll once you reach the age of 18.

Once this is completed, you will then receive a convocation (summons) to your one-day JDC. The letter will provide details of how and where to do the course, as well as the options to appeal if you believe you are exempt on the grounds of illness or disability.

It also gives you an autorisation d’absence exceptionnelle – authorisation of absence, which you present to your employer if you are working or an apprentice. They are then legally obliged to give you the day off to attend.

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