The 2026 headline has changed
DGFiP’s crypto guidance, updated on 17 July 2026, states a standard private-investor PFU of 31.4%: 12.8% income tax plus 18.6% social levies. The Ministry of Economy independently confirms the 2026 PFU increase. Older material quoting 30% should therefore not be used as the current headline. An election for progressive income-tax treatment may be available; the standard rate is not an individual assessment.
Cash disposals, swaps and the small-disposal threshold
Selling for legal-tender currency, spending tokens on goods or services, and an exchange involving a balancing payment can be taxable events. A qualifying exchange solely between digital assets without such a payment is deferred. The €305 annual exemption tests the total disposal prices, excluding deferred exchanges. Exceeding it does not leave the first €305 of gains tax-free. France’s private-gain calculation uses the acquisition cost and value of the overall digital-asset portfolio, rather than simply applying a per-coin FIFO calculation.
Income is a separate question
The current tax FAQ places mining and staking profits in BNC and distinguishes commercial dealing from operations conducted in conditions analogous to professional trading. Private-disposal treatment cannot simply be extended to every token receipt. Loss relief is also constrained: private crypto losses are restricted to gains of the same nature in the same year and cannot be carried forward.
Residence, social levies and reporting
French tax residence can arise through a home, main professional activity or economic interests; treaty analysis may be needed for a dual-residence case. A French resident is generally assessed on French and foreign income, subject to treaty provisions. Foreign digital-asset platform accounts have a separate annual reporting obligation, including accounts opened, held, used or closed abroad.
Affluent readers should also review exceptional high-income contributions. Separately, some people remaining affiliated to qualifying British social security and not borne by French compulsory insurance can benefit from specific CSG/CRDS exclusions. British nationality or a UK pension alone does not establish that treatment. Obtain a calculation for the household and its actual insurance position before treating 31.4% as the final all-in burden.