Key Transportation and Automotive Changes in France for 2026: TGV Fares and Road Safety Measures

Starting January 1, 2026, French motorists will face a range of new regulations and fiscal changes aimed at improving road safety and environmental standards. Technical inspections will become more stringent, including checks for serious vehicle recalls; vehicles deemed dangerous will be immobilized until fixed. Parking spaces within five meters of pedestrian crossings must be removed by year-end, impacting thousands of spots in cities such as Lille, Lyon, and Bordeaux. Additionally, new pink temporary license plates will be introduced to combat fraud, and visible flashes on speed cameras may return to enhance driver awareness.

Fuel prices are projected to rise by 4 to 6 cents per liter due to energy efficiency regulations, with further increases expected. The ecological tax on polluting vehicles will tighten, lowering penalty thresholds and boosting fines, while weight-based taxes will target vehicles over 1500 kilograms. On the positive side, electric vehicle purchase bonuses will increase significantly, particularly benefiting low-income families. Toll prices on highways will also see a modest rise of 0.86% starting February 1, 2026, the smallest hike since 2021.

Meanwhile, SNCF announced a 1% average increase in TGV Inoui and Ouigo ticket prices from January 2, 2026, below the expected 1.5% inflation rate. Despite this moderate increase, Ouigo fares have risen sharply over recent years — up 73% between 2017 and 2023 — compared to a 4% rise for TGV Inoui. The per-kilometer cost for Ouigo notably surged by 68%, contrasting with a modest 8% rise for Inoui services. These adjustments reflect ongoing efforts to balance affordability with infrastructure and service improvements, amid changing transportation policies in France.