France
Expat guide
From Australia

Expatriate to France from Australia: tax guide 2026

Everything a Australia tax resident needs to know before relocating to France. Exit tax, tax residency, treaties, special regimes, crypto, real estate and inheritance.

What you need to know as a Australia resident

Exit tax Australia

Applies

Australia applies CGT on unrealized gains when you lose tax resident status. 50% discount for assets held > 12 months.

Why expatriate to France?

Tax and practical advantages for a Australia resident relocating to France.

Special expat regimes

1 regime(s) available in France to optimize your taxes.

Exit tax in France

Exit tax applies

Rate

30 %

Threshold

800,000 EUR

Deferral

Available

Unrealized gains on securities

Automatic payment deferral if transferring to an EEA state or a state with an administrative assistance convention. Tax deferral if return to France within 2 years or holding securities for 5 years (15 years for EU/EEA).

Crypto asset taxation

Capital gains

30 %

Long-term

30 %

Crypto-to-crypto

Exempt

Reporting

Required

30% flat tax (PFU: 12.8% income tax + 17.2% social levies) on crypto gains when converting to fiat. Crypto-to-crypto swaps are not taxable events. Mandatory reporting of foreign exchange accounts (form 3916-bis). Option for progressive scale available.

Real estate and capital gains

Resident - Primary residence

0 %
Primary exempt

Full exemption for primary residence. Secondary: progressive scale with holding period allowances (full exemption after 22yr IT / 30yr social).

Resident - Secondary residence

36 %

30% PFU (19% IT + 17.2% social) + 2-6% surcharge if gain > €50k. 6%/yr allowance (IT) from year 6, exempt at 22 years.

Legal structures for your business

3 legal structures available for doing business in France.

1

LLC (SARL)

Most common structure

IS 25 %Reduced 15 % Participation exemption
2

SAS/SASU

IS 25 %Reduced 15 % Participation exemption
3

Micro-enterprise

IS 0 % Participation exemption

* Information for guidance for a Australia tax resident. Consult an international tax expert for your situation. Data 2026.