How to invest in France from the UK

Interested in investing in France from the UK? It’s easy to see why, as France is considered one of Europe’s premier investment destinations - thanks to its stable economy, high productivity workforce and strategic location.

If you’re just getting started with overseas investment, read on. This guide runs through ways to invest in France, including buying stocks, real estate and direct investment in French businesses.

We’ll also introduce Wise as the smart solution for sending large sums internationally –– with over 14.8 million people worldwide moving £36 billion each quarter.

With Wise you get low, transparent fees, mid-market exchange rates, and secure, trackable transfers, with dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts. On a £50,000 transfer,you could save up to £1,000 with Wise vs your bank.

➡️ Learn more about large amount transfers with Wise

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to future change. The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice.

Investments in a currency other than GBP are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in GBP terms. You could lose money in GBP even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

Why invest in France?

There are lots of reasons UK investors choose France as a safe place to put their money:

• It’s a European leader for foreign direct investment (FDI) - in fact, France was ranked the most attractive country in Europe for FDI for the sixth consecutive year in 2024-2025.¹
• It has a pro-business environment, with fast business setup and reduced corporate tax rates
• It’s a leading tech and innovation hub, with a thriving startup environment
• It has a lucrative property market, with high stability, international demand and rental yields
• It has one of the most generous Research & Development (R&D) credit systems in Europe, encouraging further investment in innovation.

Can foreigners invest in France?

Yes, foreign nationals can invest in France with minimal restrictions. The country’s investment and real estate markets are highly regulated - which is of course a plus point for potential investors.

Foreigners from the UK and all over the world can buy stocks and shares, and buy property in France - including getting a mortgage if needed.

It’s recommended for foreigners and new investors to stick to mainstream investments, as these have the lowest risk. Although as all investing comes with risk, it’s also a good idea to get professional advice.

Ways to invest in France from the UK

Three of the most popular ways for UK citizens to invest in France include:

• Buying stocks and shares
• Real estate (property)
• Direct investment in businesses, or starting their own business in France.

Read on for the lowdown on each of these routes.

How to buy stocks in France

If you’re mainly interested in the French stock market, you can easily buy and sell shares from the comfort of your own home in the UK.

All you need is internet access and an account with one of the UK investment platforms which offers trading in Euronext company stocks.

Key things to know:

• The main stock exchange is Euronext Paris (Paris Stock Exchange)
• The main price index is the CAC 40, tracking the value of the top 40 French companies
• There’s also the FR40 (or FRA 40), often used by brokers for CFDs tracking the index.

Here’s how to get started with buying stocks in French companies:

1. Open a share trading account

There are lots of investment platforms available in the UK, and many offer trading in Euronext stocks.

Some options to check out include:

• eToro
• XTB
• Hargreaves Lansdown
• Trading 212
• Interactive Brokers
• AJ Bell
• Interactive Investor.

When trying to find the right platform for you, it’s important to do your research and compare fees, features and customer reviews.

Once you’ve opened your account and completed verification/security steps, you’ll need to link a bank account - or an alternative account like Wise - in order to fund your transactions and receive returns.

2. Calculate the cost

Your chosen trading platform will tell you how much your shares will cost, but you also need to factor in fees and currency conversion costs. Remember, platforms may charge annual fees or per-transaction commission fees for trading.

This means that your British pounds (GBP) will need to be converted to EUR, you may also incur foreign currency fees.

To give you an idea of these costs, here are the fees charged by a handful of popular platforms:

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Investing abroad can be stressful, with different rules and regulations to follow. Some of the most overlooked aspects of investing overseas is the actual cost of converting currency and sending the payment abroad.

Banks may claim to have “no fees” but they could be adding a sneaky mark-up to their exchange rate. This can impact your budget by up to 2% when sending money abroad. For example, on a £50,000 transfer, you could save up to £1,000 with Wise vs your bank.

Wise has built its own payment network that allows customers to send money internationally for less. You’ll get the mid-market exchange rate (close to the one you see on Google) with no hidden markups and low, transparent fees.

✅ Sign up with Wise for free

**Investments in funds are never guaranteed and your capital can be at risk. In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets — this is the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised as an investment firm and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 839689. We do not give investment advice, and you may be subject to pay tax. If you're not sure, seek qualified advice. You can find more information about the funds on our website.

3. Decide which French shares to purchase

The last step is to decide which French shares to purchase, and then place the order using the platform’s tools. This is usually as simple as searching for the company, clicking ‘buy’ and entering the amount or value of shares you’d like to buy.

You might want to get some professional advice on which company to invest in, or whether you should invest in a fund instead.

A fund is a basket of stocks and other investment products chosen according to your attitude to risk. It’s managed by a professional fund manager, and is a good way to diversify your portfolio and spread risk. However, it does come with fees.

How to get advice on investing in France

It’s always sensible to seek professional advice before investing, whether it’s an investment specialist to help you structure your portfolio or a tax adviser to give you information on UK and overseas tax obligations.

To find the right specialist, look for an accredited expert with expertise in the type of investment you’re interested in, with an understanding of the French market.

You’ll need them to speak English as well as French, so they can explain everything clearly to you.

If you seek advice from a French financial advisor, make sure that they are authorised to operate in the country by the Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers or AMF), the body which regulates the sector.

You should also check and compare the costs of receiving advice in advance.

How to buy real estate in France

Buying property in France is very popular with British investors, as it represents a stable, long-term investment.

The French property market offers potential for long-term capital growth, high rental yields (especially in tourist areas such as the South of France) and favourable mortgage rates - even for foreign buyers.

There are no restrictions for UK or other foreign nationals to buy a main home, second home, holiday let, commercial or other investment property. You may just need a higher deposit for a mortgage compared to a French or EU national.

The actual process of purchasing property is similar to the UK, involving these steps:

1. Setting a budget and getting a mortgage in principle - some buyers also choose to open a French bank account or international account in euros
2. Find a property and arrange viewings
3. Review the Dossier de Diagnostic Technique (DDT) - a file of reports covering everything from energy performance to gas/electricity installations
4. Make an offer
5. Appoint a solicitor and carry out due diligence checks
6. Sign the preliminary contract (Compromis de Vente)
7. Pay the deposit - a solution like Wise can be useful for sending money overseas, without the high fees
8. Get a survey
9. Sign the Acte de Vente (official sale deed) - and complete the purchase.

How to invest in a French business

Another popular option is to invest in a French business. Investment opportunities include:

• Starting your own new business in France
• Setting up a French branch or subsidiary of an existing overseas company
• Investing in a French company to become an owner or majority shareholder.

A good starting point is to look at initiatives aimed at foreign investors, including the French Government’s Business France website, as well as France Invest and La French Tech, which promotes the French start-up ecosystem.

There’s also lots of useful information on the French Government’s Tax4Business website - a one-stop contact point for all foreign investor tax issues.

Read more: Complete guide to doing business in France in 2025, for growing startups and entrepreneurs

Open a Wise Business account online

FAQ for investing in France

How much do I need to invest in France to get citizenship?

France does not offer direct citizenship through investment. Foreign nationals can apply for residency through certain business or investment activities, but citizenship is usually only available after living legally in France for several years and meeting language and integration requirements.

Can I live in France permanently if I buy a house?

Buying property in France does not automatically give you the right to live there permanently. UK citizens can own property freely, but staying long term usually requires a visa or residency permit after Brexit.

Is France a good country to invest in?

France is considered one of Europe’s largest and most stable economies, with opportunities in property, business, technology, tourism, and renewable energy. However, investment suitability depends on your goals, budget, and risk tolerance.

Key takeaways

• France is the leading European destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), ranked as the most attractive country in Europe for FDI for the sixth consecutive year in 2024–2025 due to its pro-business environment and generous R&D credit system.
• Foreigners face minimal restrictions when investing in France and can freely buy real estate, purchase stocks, or invest directly in French companies.
• Stock trading can be done from the UK via mainstream platforms like eToro, XTB, or Trading 212, which provide access to Euronext Paris and track the CAC 40 price index for the top 40 French companies.
• Currency conversion and transaction fees vary across trading platforms; while commission fees can be as low as £0, foreign exchange (FX) markup fees generally range from 0.15% to 0.99% when converting GBP to EUR.
• Buying property does not grant residency or permanent living rights in France for UK citizens, nor is there a direct route to citizenship through investment.
• French financial advisors must be authorized by the Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers or AMF) to legally operate and provide investment or tax structuring advice.

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Sources used:

1. Campus France - France keeps its leading position for foreign investments in Europe
2. eToro - Fees and Charges
3. eToro - Conversion Fees
4. XTB - Terms & Fees
5. Hargreaves Lansdown - Overseas share dealing
6. Trading 212 - Terms and fees
7. AJ Bell - Charges and rates

Sources last checked: 28-Apr-2026