France · 2026
France Capital gains tax calculator
Work out the tax due on a securities capital gain (plus-value mobilière) in France for 2026.
| Capital gain | 10 000,00 € |
| Income tax (PFU, 12.8%) | -1280% |
| Social levies (18.6%) | -1860% |
| Net gain after tax | 6 860,00 € |
By default gains are taxed under the Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique (PFU), a single flat rate of 31.4%: 12.8% income tax plus 18.6% social levies. The social-levy share rose from 17.2% to 18.6% for capital income received from 1 January 2026, after the CSG on capital income was raised to 10.6%. There is no general annual tax-free allowance for securities gains in France.
How it works
- The taxable gain is the sale price less the acquisition cost and allowable expenses.
- Under the default flat tax (PFU) the gain is taxed at 31.4% in total: 12.8% income tax and 18.6% social levies.
- You can instead elect the progressive income-tax scale once for the whole year. The gain is then added to your taxable income at your marginal rate, and 18.6% social levies still apply to the full gain.
- A holding-period allowance of 50% (held 2 to 8 years) or 65% (held over 8 years) can reduce the income-tax base only, but solely for shares acquired before 1 January 2018 and only if you choose the progressive scale. It never reduces the social levies.
Worked example
A 10,000 EUR securities gain under the default flat tax (PFU) in 2026 is taxed at 31.4%: 1,280 EUR income tax plus 1,860 EUR social levies, giving 3,140 EUR of tax and a net gain of 6,860 EUR.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an annual tax-free allowance like the UK?+
No. France has no general annual exempt amount for securities gains. The whole gain is taxable, whether under the flat tax or the progressive scale. Fixed allowances exist only in specific regimes, such as the 500,000 EUR allowance for qualifying retiring company directors.
What is the PFU (flat tax)?+
The Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique is the default 31.4% flat tax on investment income, made up of 12.8% income tax and 18.6% social levies. It applies automatically unless you opt for the progressive scale.
Why did the flat tax rise to 31.4% in 2026?+
The Loi de financement de la Sécurité sociale for 2026 raised the CSG on capital income from 9.2% to 10.6%. Added to the CRDS (0.5%) and the prélèvement de solidarité (7.5%), the social levies climbed from 17.2% to 18.6%, so the PFU total moved from 30% to 31.4% for gains received from 1 January 2026.
When is the progressive scale worth it?+
If your marginal income-tax rate is low (0% or 11%), the 12.8% flat income-tax part may be more than the progressive scale would charge, so the option can reduce your bill. The option is global: it covers all of your capital income for the year.
Do social levies ever benefit from the holding-period allowance?+
No. The 50% or 65% holding-period allowance reduces only the income-tax base, and only for pre-2018 shares under the progressive scale. The 18.6% social levies are always computed on the full gain.
Sources
- Plus-values sur valeurs mobilières (fiche F21618) · Service-Public.fr (DILA)
- Évolution du taux du Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique (PFU) · Service-Public.fr (DILA)
- J'ai réalisé une plus-value mobilière, comment est-elle imposée ? · impots.gouv.fr (DGFiP)
- Prélèvements sociaux (CSG, CRDS...) sur les revenus du patrimoine et de placement (F2329) · Service-Public.fr (DILA)
Last updated: 2026-01-01 · Applies to 2026
This is an estimate for general guidance, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Figures can change and individual circumstances vary. Always confirm with the official sources listed before making decisions.
- Securities (plus-values mobilières) only. Does not cover real-estate gains (plus-values immobilières), which have their own regime.
- The progressive-scale calculation here applies your stated marginal rate to the gain (after any holding-period allowance); it does not recompute the full household barème or décote. The high-income surtax (CEHR, 3-4%) is not included.
- There is no annual tax-free allowance for securities gains in 2026.
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