France · 2025
France Capital gains tax calculator
Work out the tax due on a securities capital gain (plus-value mobilière) in France for 2025. By default gains are taxed under the Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique (PFU), a single flat rate of 30%: 12.8% income tax plus 17.2% social levies. There is no general annual tax-free allowance for securities gains in France.
| Capital gain | 10 000,00 € |
| Income tax (PFU, 12.8%) | -1280% |
| Social levies (17.2%) | -1720% |
| Net gain after tax | 7 000,00 € |
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 30% in total: 12.8% income tax and 17.2% 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 17.2% 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 2025 is taxed at 30%: 1,280 EUR income tax plus 1,720 EUR social levies, giving 3,000 EUR of tax and a net gain of 7,000 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 30% flat tax on investment income, made up of 12.8% income tax and 17.2% social levies. It applies automatically unless you opt for the progressive scale.
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 17.2% social levies are always computed on the full gain.
Sources
- Plus-values sur valeurs mobilières (fiche F21618) · 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: 2025-01-01 · Applies to 2025
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 2025.
Reviewed by Vikas Dulgunde.