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Investing

Foreign investors still prefer France to UK or Germany, study finds

An annual barometer shows that France is leading in many sectors - however, it hides a more nuanced picture, which shows that the UK is recovering from Brexit

Must I declare dividends that are reinvested outside of France?

Investment types and their rules can vary between the UK and France

Five French alternatives to leaving money in current accounts

Partner article: You may be missing out on interest or even breaking the law, says Robert Kent of Kentingtons

news

Tesla, Ikea, new factories: Key takeaways from Choose France summit

We look at the key foreign investment pledges for France made at an event in Versailles near Paris

How to check your investments stay on track for life in France

Partner article: Rob Kay from Blevins Franks examines how if you move to France, it may be advantageous to make some changes to your investment portfolio

French income tax choice when declaring capital gains on shares sale

An allowance for length of ownership now only applies under certain conditions

Investments in France: Why looking beyond your national index pays off

Partner article: Robert Kent of Kentingtons explains why there is more chance of backing a winner with diverse portfolio

Six reasons to get your French finances in order before the new year

Partner article: Robert Kent of Kentingtons explains the advantages of thinking about tax, investments, gifts and moving before December 31

French woodland: Who owns it, the rules, and how to own your own piece

Contrary to fears that it is under threat, France is as wooded today as in medieval times

Investing: avoid fads and spread risk to make money for life in France

Partner article: Christopher Davenport of Kentingtons tells us what to consider when financial markets are turbulent - and a word from Warren Buffet

Clinging to UK assets while living in France might not make tax sense

Partner article: Premium Bonds, ISAs, shares in UK companies, property…A look at what these investments mean for full-time residents in France

Ikea, Pfizer, pet care: France confirms €4bn in new foreign investment

The projects are set to create 10,000 jobs and many will be located around smaller, often rural, communes

Pandemic boosted French savings: Options beyond bank current account

People in France have saved over €150billion during the health crisis. We explain the different options for savings accounts if you choose to put aside some extra cash

Tax considerations of owning property in France

It is always important to understand the tax implications when buying property, particularly where a foreign tax regime is involved and/or you have liabilities in more than one country.

UK investment funds banned from French 'assurance vie'

Christopher Davenport of Kentingtons makes sense of UK-listed funds no longer being allowed to be purchased in an assurance vie

Ethical investing in France

When it comes to the financial world, you are expected to follow and understand A LOT of acronyms. A company I once worked for used to talk about “Three Letter Abbreviations”, or “TLAs” (itself a TLA), coming from a firm whose own name was an FLA, a “Four Letter Abbreviation” – used too, of course, for a “Five Letter Abbreviation.” I am just preparing you for the FLAs and TLAs later here...

Choose investments that will work in France or UK

Many people I speak to start with a New Year’s resolution to move to France. They may also resolve to sort out their finances.

Investing money? Questions to ask

I recently received an inquiry which simply said that they had inherited some money and asked: “What would you suggest we do with the money: buy a rental property or invest in the stock market?” This question is not at all unusual, so a great topic for this space.

France in top five for foreign investment

France has become more appealing for foreign investors and has reached the top five of an influential global index of attractiveness for the first time.

Invest in a tontine

Readers may be familiar with the tontine as a form of property purchase by a couple, where the whole ownership goes to the survivor in the event of the death of one partner.

Why ‘dead cert’ fonds en euros no longer a good bet

When it comes to where to put your hard-earned savings, the options look “challenging”.

What is this new French investment ‘flat tax’?

I hear there is now something called a “flat” tax on investments – what is this?

France now more attractive to foreign money than China

France is now more attractive than China for foreign investment, according to an annual classification of the top five most attractive investment countries worldwide.

Tax cut for landlords to revitalise French towns

People who buy run-down properties in certain towns can get a reduction in their income tax under a new law.

Cross-border financial planning for Britons in France

Being a Briton living in France is rather like having the best of both worlds. You get to enjoy day-to-day life in France with its lifestyle benefits, food, scenery and endearing quirks.

Happy 2019 to everyone living in ‘tax haven’ France

“France as a tax haven” – a few years ago, we ran a series of seminars with this very heading and they were all well attended, even if only by people wanting to poke fun at the notion (but who actually left confounded).

Options for saving and investing money in France

Save your money like you do your food – larder, fridge and freezer

EU regulation closes advisor pay loophole (for now)

Financial advisor payments are restricted in France, but still check your advisor thoroughly to ensure that he is appropriately qualified and authorised

French taxes: pay flat rate or none at all?

We have, for a long time, had the option of fixed rates of tax on investment income in France, known as PFL or prélèvement forfaitaire libératoire , or the choice of having the income taxed at income tax scale rates.

Getting help from a financial adviser in France

When it comes to investing our money, it pays to tread carefully. This is doubly relevant for those moving to or living in France. For many, it is the first time they have needed professional advice involving the totality of their life savings.

There’s little interest in 0% saving

Last month I wrote about investing in property and discussed the need to keep some liquidity. Liquidity is all very well, but it is not currently very interesting – indeed, no member of society has been more neglected than savers.

French ‘Sapin 2’ is just sensible protection

Even if you know little about finance you may have read about a French ruling introduced at the end of 2016, coined ‘Sapin 2’.

Get off to a good 2018 by avoiding problems

Here we are, at the start of another year. For many it is a time of looking forward, to what we expect 2018 to bring and how we can make it a happy and successful year.

Review tax plans for your life in France

Settling into your new life in France involves more than finding your way around, improving your French, making new friends and trying out the local cuisine

Foreign investors see France as a good bet

International development agency Business France's report was welcome

French flat tax on investments

I hear there is a new ‘flat’ tax on investments – what is this?

Transferring between AV policies

We have been in France for 16 years. We have an assurance vie in Luxembourg and another in the UK. The UK policy now contains practically nothing. Both have been set up for at least 10 years.

Macron pushes French AI potential

President announces plans to invest €1.5billion in AI

Wines are for drinking and, with care, investing

Grand cru wines are only really available for those with deep pockets but there are ways for more modest buyers to get returns over time

Taking a taste of France to the Channel Islands

Sponsored content: Jersey is set to host show promoting property, business and lifestyle in France

Sailor Gabart invests in ‘borrow my boat’ start-up

The record-breaking French sailor, François Gabart, who recently completed the fastest solo circumnavigation of the world, has invested in a new boat-hiring startup.

Working together can cut costs in coop supermarket

New scheme may help

How will lost investment cost me?

I invested £26,000 via a UK company in 2011 which was lost due to mismanagement. My solicitors recovered £19,200 this year but, as this recovers only part of my investment, is it liable for tax or social charges? J.G.

Buy-to-let market wakes up as prices and rates stay low

It is possibly the only economic ‘law’ most people know off by heart, but the advice to buy when prices are low and sell on a rising market is never more true than today – especially for those who can afford to invest in a buy-to-let or holiday home.

You can win the Loto tax-free but may pay investing it

Ready query about what happens if you win the EuroMillion in France.

Can I move British investment fund to a French 'wrapper'?

Reader wants a tax-efficient way to handle funds