Decree no. 2026-333 of 30 April 2026
In response to rising fuel prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East, the Government has introduced a one-off fuel allowance of €50, paid directly to eligible workers, known as “high-mileage workers” (grands rouleurs). Around three million people are expected to qualify. Applications open on 27 May 2026, on the impots.gouv.fr platform, and will remain open for two months.
Workers must satisfy each of the following cumulative conditions:
- Residence and age: be tax-resident in France and aged at least 16 on 31 December 2024.
- Activity: have declared, for income earned in 2024, salaried, self-employed, business or agricultural income (excluding unemployment benefits and early retirement payments).
- Resources: belong to a tax household with reference taxable income per tax unit for 2024 not exceeding €16,880. Workers earning the minimum wage (Smic) qualify. Taxpayers liable for the wealth tax on real estate (impôt sur la fortune immobilière) for 2024 are excluded.
- Vehicle use: use a personal vehicle for professional purposes, including the home-to-work commute, and either travel more than 15 km per home-to-work journey, or cover at least 8,000 km per year.
- Vehicle type: a two-, three- or four-wheel motor vehicle with a thermal or non-rechargeable hybrid engine, properly insured at the date of application. Electric and hydrogen vehicles, agricultural vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and company cars (véhicules de fonction) are excluded.
Although the allowance is paid directly to the worker rather than the employer, businesses should note two points: it is granted only once per vehicle, and company cars fall outside the scheme; employers are expected to cover those costs separately. Beneficiaries must keep supporting documents for five years; in the event of an undue payment, sums may be recovered with surcharges of up to 50% (deliberate failure) or 100% (fraud).
