France
France blends culture, best-in-class healthcare and landscapes from Alps to coast.
Important Notice: No Individual Advice
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute individual legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult qualified professionals for personal decisions.
Key Metrics
Cost of Living
Cost Breakdown
Quality of Life
Taxes
Tax information for France
Tax resident with main home or > 183 days
2024
May-June of following year
No - worldwide income
Income Tax
| From | To | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| €0 | €11,294 | 0% |
| €11,294 | €28,797 | 11% |
| €28,797 | €82,341 | 30% |
| €82,341 | €177,106 | 41% |
| €177,106 | Unlimited | 45% |
Additional social contributions (CSG/CRDS) of 17.2%
Pension Tax
Pensions taxed under the progressive income schedule; CSG/CRDS of 9.1% applies on top
Capital Gains Tax
Flat tax (PFU) of 30% incl. social contributions
Dividend Tax
Dividends taxed under the PFU regime (12.8% income + 17.2% social charges)
Wealth Tax
IFI on property above €800,000
| From | To | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| €0 | €800,000 | 0% |
| €800,000 | €1,300,000 | 0.5% |
| €1,300,000 | €2,570,000 | 0.7% |
| €2,570,000 | €5,000,000 | 1% |
| €5,000,000 | €10,000,000 | 1.25% |
| €10,000,000 | Unlimited | 1.5% |
VAT
20%Important Notice
This is not tax advice. Consult an Expert-Comptable.
This is not tax, legal, or investment advice. Tax laws change frequently and can be complex. The information provided is for general informational purposes only. Please consult a tax advisor licensed in France for your specific situation.
Healthcare
Healthcare in France
Sécurité Sociale - world-class
Mutuelle required
Expat Access
70% reimbursement, rest via mutuelle
Excellent
€50-150/month (mutuelle)
Climate Change & Future Outlook
Climate risks in France
France: Europe's climate leader with excellent adaptive capacity (ND-GAIN #19 readiness!), but increasing challenges. Mediterranean south coast and Atlantic estuaries particularly vulnerable. Heatwaves 2019 (46°C!), 2022 (43°C Paris), Gironde wildfires massive. Wine industry forced to adapt. Loire, Rhone threatened by droughts. 5,500 km coastline endangered. Agricultural droughts projected 35% longer. Paris Basin water scarcity. Despite strong governance: Climate migration from south to north already beginning.
Climate Scenarios
Switch between IPCC SSP pathways
SSP2-4.5
Current policy trajectory – ~2.7°C warming by 2100, moderate mitigation.
Values are approximations relative to our SSP2-4.5 baseline. They illustrate directional change, not exact national projections.
Overall Climate Risk
Projected risk index (0 = low risk, 100 = extreme risk)
Risk Categories
Personal climate risk assessment
Tune the analysis to your health profile and comfort level.
Age group
Sensitivity
Risk tolerance
Personalized risk index
Current level: Very High
Priority risks
Heat Stress
Base 76 → Personal 76
Floods & Coastal
Base 76 → Personal 76
What to prioritize
- •Prioritise shaded neighborhoods, AC-ready apartments, and early-morning routines.
- •Prefer elevated districts and buildings with flood-mitigation infrastructure.
- •Look for reliable shelter options and emergency communication plans.
Adaptation Measures
- •€30B+ National Climate Adaptation Plan (PNACC): Coastal defense, water management, forest resilience
- •National Biodiversity Strategy: 500,000 ha reforestation, fire-resistant species
- •Loire-Bretagne Water Agency: Groundwater management, drought plans, agricultural efficiency
- •Nuclear sector adaptation: Cooling tower upgrades, alternative cooling, Rhone/Loire management
- •Wine industry research: INRAE heat-resistant varieties, new terroirs exploration (Normandy, England border)
- •AVOID Mediterranean coast summer! July-August unbearable. Fall/spring better.
- •Prefer inland higher elevations: Massif Central, Jura, Vosges relatively safe
- •Brittany, Normandy best long-term options: moderate warming, but note coast risk!
- •Air conditioning essential: Paris, Lyon, Marseille. AC retrofitting old buildings expensive but necessary.
- •Wildfire preparedness South France: Firebreaks, water reserves, evacuation routes
Climate Resilience
ND-GAIN #19 readiness (EXCELLENT!), #177 vulnerability (very low = top!). France has best adaptive capacity in Europe: Strong governance, diversified economy, high education, functioning institutions, €30B+ climate funds. BUT: Geographic challenges real - Mediterranean south critical, 5,500 km coastline, internal migration South→North straining Paris. Wine industry (cultural identity!) forced to transform. Nuclear cooling problem structural. Despite excellent readiness: Long-term outlook for southern regions problematic. North-West (Brittany, Normandy, Hauts-de-France) relatively safe.
Tips
- đź’ˇBrittany, Normandy BEST long-term regions: Moderate warming, but check coast risk!
- đź’ˇParis OK but overcrowded from internal migration. AC essential. Note summer heatwaves!
- đź’ˇProvence, CĂ´te d'Azur only winter residence: Summer 2050 unbearable
- đź’ˇWine regions transforming: Buy Burgundy/Champagne BEFORE prices explode
- đź’ˇAquitaine wildfires: Check insurance! Often not covered.
- đź’ˇAlpine ski resorts below 1,800m NO longer invest!
Pros
- •ND-GAIN #19 readiness = BEST adaptive capacity Europe
- •Diversified economy: Tourism, agriculture, tech, nuclear, luxury
- •Excellent infrastructure, functioning institutions
- •€30B+ National Climate Adaptation Plan (PNACC)
- •Geographic diversity: Brittany/Normandy as safe zones
- •Strong research: INRAE climate adaptation, CNRS
Cons
- •5,500 km coastline endangered: 1.4M people threatened
- •Agricultural droughts 35% longer (G20 warning)
- •Wine industry forced to transform (AOC system threatened)
- •Nuclear cooling problem: Loire/Rhone droughts = plant throttling
- •Internal climate migration: South→North straining Paris, Nantes, Rennes
- •Gironde fires 2022 = new dimension: Atlantic now also fire risk
- •15,000 heat deaths 2003 shows vulnerability despite good infrastructure
Notes
France is the paradox of the climate-endangered industrialized country: BEST adaptive capacity Europe (ND-GAIN #19!), but significant geographic vulnerabilities. Mediterranean south (Provence, Côte d'Azur, Languedoc) becoming problematic 2050+ - too hot, wildfires, water scarcity. 5,500 km coastline with 1.4M endangered people. Wine industry (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne) forced into radical transformation - new grape varieties, new terroirs (Normandy!). Nuclear sector structural cooling problem during Loire/Rhone droughts. Internal climate migration already measurable: South→North straining Paris, Nantes, Rennes. BUT: Brittany, Normandy, Hauts-de-France relatively safe with moderate warming. €30B+ PNACC shows serious commitment. Alpine regions escape option but glaciers melting, ski resorts <1,800m no longer viable. Gironde 2022 (30,000 ha) shows: New fire dimension also Atlantic. 2003 Canicule (15,000 deaths) warns despite good infrastructure. Long-term: North-West optimal, Paris functions with AC, South becomes summer challenge. Adaptation time window: 25-40 years for structural transformation.
Data sources
Scientific Disclaimer
Climate projections are based on models with inherent uncertainties. Actual outcomes may differ. We present mainstream scientific consensus (IPCC) but acknowledge uncertainty ranges. This is not financial advice. Consult climate scientists and experts for specific decisions.
Safety & Security
Safety & Crime in France
Safety Indicators
Comparison with DACH Region
For comparison: Germany (CPI: 78), Austria (CPI: 71), Switzerland (CPI: 82)
Notes
Standard precautions recommended in urban areas.
Visa & Immigration
Immigration Options for France
Visa Options
Long-Stay Visa
For retirees
Path to Permanent Residency
Permanent residency after 5 years. Citizenship after 5 years with language test.
Important Notice
Visa and immigration regulations change frequently. The information provided is for general informational purposes only. Please consult the official government website or an immigration attorney for current and accurate information.
Climate
Data Sources & Updates
Data Sources
- OECD Tax Database(OECD Terms of Use)
- NOAA Climate Data(Public Domain)
- WHO Global Health Observatory(CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
- World Bank World Development Indicators(CC BY 4.0)
- Numbeo(User-Generated Data)
- Numbeo Quality of Life Index(CC BY 4.0)