Property tax for 2026 will see a limited increase of 0.8%, according to recent reports. This increase is due to a revaluation of cadastral rental values, which are estimates of a property's rental value used to calculate property taxes. The adjustment aims to reflect rising property prices and keep pace with inflation. This year's increase is much smaller than the 1.7% rise in 2025, 4% in 2024, or 7% in 2023, which was heavily influenced by the war in Ukraine. The cadastral rental value depends on factors like the size of the property and whether it includes modern amenities such as electricity, running water, central heating, or toilets. The property tax is also influenced by a local rate, which is determined each year by local governments, such as mayors and regional councils. This year, only 13% of mayors have decided to raise their local rate. Some cite reduced state funding as a reason, while others are trying to stabilize their city's finances. In some areas, like Fréjus in the Var region or Aulnay-sous-Bois in Seine-Saint-Denis, property owners have seen their tax bills increase by hundreds of euros. In Saint-Genès-du-Retz, a small village in the Puy-de-Dôme region with a population of just 500, the newly elected municipal team decided to raise the local rate by 65%, the highest increase reported this year. However, such steep increases are rare—only 1 in 10 local governments raises the rate by more than 3 percentage points. In fact, a few dozen cities have reduced their property tax, including Nice. In 85% of cases, no increase is expected, particularly in the years following municipal elections when new local leaders often aim to stabilize budgets. Property tax is a crucial revenue source for local governments, helping to fund essential services such as road maintenance, public parks, schools, and municipal buildings. It also provides partial funding for the SDIS, the regional fire and rescue services. This makes property tax an essential tool for maintaining public infrastructure and ensuring the safety and well-being of residents.