Moving to France can offer an excellent quality of life, but managing your finances as an expat is not always straightforward. For British expats in particular, moving from the UK to France can mean navigating two financial systems, different tax rules, pensions held in different countries and investments that may no longer be suitable after becoming French resident.

Financial planning in France for expats is therefore about much more than choosing investments. It means understanding your tax position, protecting your retirement income, managing currency risk and making sure your wealth remains aligned with your plans for the future.

With 2026 bringing continued economic uncertainty, changing tax rules and questions about whether a recession or financial crisis could occur, having a clear financial plan can provide greater certainty.

Why financial planning matters for expats in France

For someone living in France, financial planning needs to take your international circumstances into account.

Your income might come from France while your pension remains in the UK. You may own a property in Britain, hold investments overseas or have savings in sterling while your everyday spending is in euros.

Once you become French tax resident, these assets can have French tax implications. French tax residency depends on several factors, including where your household is based, where you spend most of your time and where your principal professional activity takes place.

This is why simply continuing to manage your finances as you did in the UK may not always be appropriate.

Financial planning for British expats in France

For British expats, one of the first priorities should be understanding exactly what you own and where it is held.

A financial review should normally consider:

• UK pensions and retirement savings
• French pensions and social security rights
• ISAs and other UK investments
• Savings and investments held internationally
• French property and UK property
• Life insurance and protection
• Existing debts and mortgages
• Inheritance and succession planning
• Currency exposure between sterling and euros
• Current and future tax liabilities

The objective is not necessarily to move everything to France. Instead, it is to establish whether each asset still makes sense for your circumstances as a French resident.

French tax planning for expats

Tax planning is one of the most important parts of financial planning in France.

French residents can be subject to French taxation on income and investment income, including income originating outside France. The treatment of individual assets depends on the type of income, the structure involved and, where relevant, international tax agreements.

For 2026, the French income tax scale has been indexed by 0.9%, while changes have also affected the taxation of investment income and social charges.

British expats should also remember that having investments or accounts outside France does not necessarily mean they can be ignored for French tax purposes.

Certain foreign accounts and investments must be declared to the French tax authorities. This can include foreign bank accounts, certain investment accounts and foreign life assurance contracts.

Good financial planning therefore starts with understanding your complete financial picture rather than looking at individual products in isolation.

What about UK pensions when living in France?

Retirement planning is another major consideration for British expats.

You may have accumulated several UK workplace pensions during your career, alongside a personal pension or SIPP. Moving abroad does not automatically mean that these pensions need to be transferred.

However, the way your pensions are structured and eventually accessed can have important implications once you are French resident.

Currency is another consideration. If your retirement expenditure is primarily in euros but your pension income is paid in sterling, fluctuations in the GBP to EUR exchange rate can affect your spending power.

A proper retirement plan should therefore consider how much income you need, where that income will come from, how it will be taxed and how currency movements could affect your lifestyle.

For some British expats, an International SIPP may form part of their wider retirement strategy. For others, retaining existing UK pensions may be more appropriate.

There is no universal solution. The right approach depends on your individual circumstances.

Investing in France as an expat

Investment planning should also change when your country of residence changes.

An investment that was tax efficient in the UK may not receive the same treatment in France. This is particularly important for British expats who still hold UK investments such as ISAs.

France has its own investment structures, including Assurance Vie, which can play a role in long term investing, retirement planning and inheritance planning.

An Assurance Vie is not simply a French savings account. It is an investment wrapper that can provide access to a range of investments and can form part of a wider wealth planning strategy.

Other options can include Global Investment Accounts and internationally structured pension solutions, depending on your objectives and tax position.

The important point is to consider the tax treatment of the investment in France, rather than assuming that the rules from your previous country of residence still apply.

What should you do if there is a recession in 2026?

Questions such as “Will 2026 be a good financial year?”, “Is there a financial crisis expected in 2026?” and “Is there a chance of a recession in 2026?” are understandable.

However, financial planning should not be based on trying to predict exactly what markets will do next.

For expats, diversification can be particularly important because your financial life already involves several forms of risk. You may have exposure to sterling, euros, property, pensions and international investments.

Rather than attempting to time the market, it can be more useful to establish clear financial goals and build an investment strategy around your timeframe, income requirements and attitude to risk.

The same principle applies during periods of market uncertainty. Selling investments simply because markets have fallen can turn a temporary decline into a permanent loss.

Setting financial goals in France

Good financial planning should ultimately be connected to what you want your money to achieve.

Your goals might include:

• Retiring in France
• Paying off your French mortgage
• Building a retirement income
• Supporting your children
• Buying a second property
• Reducing unnecessary tax
• Creating an emergency fund
• Passing wealth to the next generation
• Maintaining your lifestyle throughout retirement

For someone approaching retirement, the question is not simply “What is a good net worth at 65?” It is whether your assets can provide the income you need for the lifestyle you want.

This is where personalised financial planning becomes particularly valuable.

Inheritance and succession planning in France

Inheritance planning should not be overlooked by expats.

French succession rules can be very different from those in the UK, particularly where children, property and international assets are involved.

The way assets are owned, the relationship between the beneficiaries and the relevant tax rules can all influence what happens to your wealth.

Assurance Vie can also form part of inheritance planning, although the appropriate structure depends on your circumstances.

Planning early can make it easier to understand what your family could receive and what tax liabilities may arise.

A financial plan that works across borders

The biggest mistake British expats can make is treating their French and UK finances as completely separate.

Your UK pension, French property, investments, savings, tax position and future retirement income are all connected.

A cross border financial plan brings these elements together.

At Harrison Brook France, our specialist advisers work with British and international expats living in France to help them understand their pensions, investments, tax considerations and long term financial objectives.

Our approach is deliberately straightforward. We start by understanding your circumstances, then look at the available options and how they fit together. The aim is to create a financial plan that makes sense for your life in France.

FAQs – Financial Planning in France for Expats 2026

Can I keep my UK pension if I live in France?

Yes. Moving to France does not automatically require you to transfer your UK pension. However, French taxation and the way you intend to draw your pension should be considered when planning your retirement.

Do expats pay tax in France on UK income?

French tax treatment depends on your residence status, the type of income and the relevant tax rules and agreements. UK pensions, investment income and other overseas income can have French tax implications.

Is an ISA tax free in France?

Not necessarily. The UK tax treatment of an ISA does not automatically mean that France will provide the same tax treatment. British expats should review existing ISAs after becoming French resident.

What is the best investment for expats in France?

There is no single best investment for every expat. The appropriate solution depends on your objectives, investment timeframe, tax position, risk tolerance and existing assets.

Should I move my investments to France?

Not necessarily. Some investments may remain appropriate in their existing jurisdiction. The important consideration is whether they remain suitable and tax efficient once you are French resident.

How can I plan for retirement in France?

Start by establishing your expected retirement income, pension entitlements, investment assets, spending requirements and tax position. You can then assess how these elements work together to create a sustainable retirement strategy.

Start your financial planning journey

Moving to France can be one of the biggest financial decisions you make. Whether you have recently moved, are preparing to relocate or have lived in France for many years, reviewing your finances can help ensure your wealth continues to support the life you want to build.

At Harrison Brook France, our experienced financial advisers specialise in helping expats navigate pensions, investments, taxation and wealth planning.

Want to understand how your finances could work more effectively in France? Get started with Harrison Brook France today.