Introduction
Crypto tax scares many users. Yet it follows clear French rules since 2019. Big news: as long as you hold your crypto, you owe nothing. Tax only kicks in at specific moments. This module explains everything simply. Note: educational content, not personalized tax advice — consult an accountant for your situation.
Principle: only certain ops are taxed
In France, crypto tax follows a simple principle: you're only taxed when you convert crypto to classical money (euros) or use it to pay for a good/service. As long as crypto stays crypto, even if its value explodes, you owe nothing.
This is called the 'taxable event'. No event = no tax. You can accumulate unrealized gains for years without owing anything.
Every crypto operation is taxable, even just holding your crypto.
Actually : Not at all. Holding your crypto = €0. Swapping crypto for crypto (e.g. BTC → ETH) = €0. Only a sale to euros (or paying for a good) is taxable. You can accumulate unrealized gains for 10 years without owing anything.
The 30% PFU: default regime
For private individuals (occasional investors), France applies a 30% PFU (Flat Tax) on gains when selling crypto for euros. The 30% breaks down to: 12.8% income tax + 17.2% social contributions.
You can also opt for the progressive income tax scale if it's more favorable for you (generally if you're in a low bracket). It's up to you to optimize based on your situation.
Good to know: if your total annual sales come to less than €305, you're exempt. Handy for very small investors.
- 30% PFU (12.8% income tax + 17.2% social) on gains.
- Option to use the progressive income tax scale.
- Exemption if total sales < €305 / year.
How is the capital gain calculated?
The simplified formula: Capital gain = Sale price - (Total purchase price × Value sold ÷ Total portfolio value). In plain terms, on each sale the tax authority factors in the share of your total portfolio that you're selling, and calculates the gain on a pro-rata basis.
It's more complicated than for a classic stock. Fortunately, tools exist to automate these calculations: Waltio, Koinly, Accointing. They connect to the platform and work everything out for you. Very useful at filing time.
What is NOT taxable
Three common operations trigger no tax in France: 1) HODLing (just holding), 2) Crypto → crypto exchanges (e.g. BTC for ETH), 3) Receiving crypto by gift/inheritance.
Yields (staking, lending) are technically taxable as income, but in practice the calculation happens when you convert those rewards to euros.
The DCA trap
If you DCA for 3 years, your 'average purchase price' becomes a complex calculation. Tools like Waltio compute it automatically from your the platform export. Don't try to do it by hand.
How to declare in practice
Every year, when you file your income tax return (April–June), you must fill out form 2086 if you've made taxable sales. You must also declare your foreign crypto accounts (form 3916-bis) if you have any.
Since the platform is French, your the platform accounts don't need to be declared on form 3916-bis. That's a real administrative advantage (Binance or Coinbase users have to do it).
- Form 2086 for crypto capital gains.
- Form 3916-bis for foreign accounts (not for the platform).
- Recommended tools: Waltio, Koinly, Accointing.
What you should remember
- 01As long as you hold crypto, you pay nothing — no taxable event.
- 0230% PFU on crypto → euro gains (progressive option possible).
- 03Crypto → crypto is NOT taxable in France (but tracked for later calc).
- 04the platform = French account = no foreign-account declaration needed.
Simplified calculation
- If annual disposals ≤ €305: no tax.
- Gain = disposal price − weighted total acquisition price across the portfolio.
- 30% flat tax by default: 12.8% income tax + 17.2% social contributions.
- Optional progressive income tax scale if more favourable.
Flat tax / PFU
30% total, no allowance. Simple to compute, this is the simulator's default.
Progressive option
Available since 2019. Only useful if your marginal income tax rate is very low or if you have losses to offset.
Global portfolio
The administration looks at total disposal price, total acquisition cost and total portfolio value at disposal — not line-by-line by coin.
Check with the local tax authority. This page stays educational and does not replace personalised advice.
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Select the country whose tax rules apply to your capital gain.
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Crypto tax, country by country
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