Shameful Macron hits UK expats with horrifying 60% council tax rise

The move will add further frustrations to many of the 86,000 British households who own second homes on the other side of the Channel.

The announcement comes after post-Brexit restrictions were brought in which forced owners of properties to adhere to stricter visa rules while visiting their homes in European Union member states.

Visa rules mean Britons can only stay for 90 days in a 180-day period.

The Times has revealed that the minimum increase in residency tax, which is similar to council tax in the United Kingdom, will be 7.1 per cent.

Many of the council areas enacting the increase are popular with Britons who own French holiday homes, including Brittany.

Residence tax was previously paid by all homeowners in France.

The average bill last year stood at €772 (£660) for a house and €941 (£800) for a flat.

A 60 per cent increase would mean second home owners would be paying more than €1,200 (£1,027) and €1,500 (£1,284) on their houses and flats respectively.

More than 150 councils in Brittany have been given permission to increase the residence tax by 60 per cent.

Around 12 per cent of the region’s properties are second homes.

Britons own an estimated 8,900 homes across Brittany.

The tax increase in property tax is meant to cover inflation.

France recorded an inflation rate of approximately 5.2 per cent last year.

However, a 60 per cent increase would far outpace the nation’s Consumer Price Index.

Britons took to social media to complain about the situation.

One said: “Zero sympathy and actual contempt for everyone of these pensioners that voted for Brexit.”

Another asked: “Will the woes of second homeowners ever end?”