Updated 25 October 2026
Quick answer: In France in 2026, the minimum wage is €1,867/month (about $2,090 a month full time); an average earner keeps 72% of their pay after income tax and social security; mortgage rates are about 3.2%; household electricity costs €0.248 per kWh; petrol is €2.23/L, up 30.4% since February. The table below puts 11 everyday money measures for France side by side and ranks each one against the other countries in our data, using official figures from national statistics offices, central banks, the OECD and Eurostat.
Against the other countries in our data, France stands out here: its 2027 pay-rise forecast, 2.9% (inflation 3.4%), is the 2nd lowest of 29 countries; its petrol price, €2.23/L (+30.4% since Feb), is the 4th highest of 29 countries. It sits nearer the middle for household electricity price and state pension (as a share of pay).
France at a Glance
| Measure | France | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | €1,867/month (≈ $2,090/month) | 10th highest of 38 |
| Tax on an average wage | 28% (keeps 72%) | 13th highest of 38 |
| Pay rise forecast 2027 | 2.9% (inflation 3.4%) | 2nd lowest of 29 |
| Mortgage rate | 3.2% (new home loans, August 2026) | 8th lowest of 31 |
| Electricity (household) | €0.248/kWh (≈ $0.28) | 14th highest of 33 |
| Petrol price | €2.23/L (+30.4% since Feb) | 4th highest of 29 |
| State pension age | 62 y 9 m | 10th lowest of 39 |
| Pension (share of pay) | 70% of net pay | 23rd highest of 50 |
| Bank deposit protection | €100,000 per person, per bank | — |
| Inheritance tax (children) | top rate 45% | — |
| Retirement visa income | No fixed figure (usually at least the net minimum wage) | — |
Rank compares France with the other countries in each dataset; "highest" means the largest value. "—" means the measure isn't ranked.
Minimum Wage in France (2026)
The legal minimum wage in France is €1,867/month. For a month of full-time work that is about $2,090 at current exchange rates, 10th highest of 38 countries in our comparison. SMIC; raised in 2026.
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Income Tax and Take-Home Pay in France
A single worker on the average wage in France (about $67,000 at purchasing-power parity) pays 28% of gross pay in income tax and employee social security, so they keep 72%. That is 13th highest of 38 countries, against an OECD average of 25.1%.
Income tax and employee social security take 28.0% of pay at the average wage, 23.7% at two-thirds of it and 33.8% at 1.67 times it. Including employer contributions, the total tax wedge is 47.2% of labour costs.
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Pay Rises in France: 2027 Forecast
Employers in France expect to raise salaries by 2.9% in 2027 (median of the major pay surveys), after 3.1% in 2026. With inflation at 3.4% (Sep), that is a real cut of about 0.5 points unless inflation falls.
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Mortgage Rates in France (2026)
The typical mortgage rate in France is 3.2% (new home loans, August 2026), 8th lowest of 31 countries; the euro area average is 3.6%.
Up 0.10 points since February 2026 (3.10%). Monthly payment per €100,000 over 25 years: €485.
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Electricity Prices in France
Households in France pay about €0.248 per kWh of electricity (about $0.28), 14th most expensive of 33 countries; the EU average is €0.283. Change: −3.0% vs late 2025.
Household gas: €0.135 per kWh. Typical household using 2,500–5,000 kWh a year, all taxes included, January–June 2026.
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Petrol Prices in France Since the Iran War
Petrol in France costs €2.23/L (week of 19 October 2026), up 30.4% from €1.71/L in the week before the Iran war began. It peaked at €2.23/L (19 Oct). At about $2.49 a litre it is 4th most expensive of 29 countries, and the rise is 11th largest of 29 countries.
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Retirement Age in France
The state pension age in France is 62 y 9 m for people reaching it in 2026; the earliest you can claim is Earlier for long careers. Future change: Reform frozen until January 2028; 64 for those born 1969+. The 2026 social security law froze the 2023 reform at 62 y 9 m. A full-rate pension is automatic at 67.
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How Much the State Pension Pays in France
A full-career average earner in France can expect a mandatory pension worth about 70% of their previous net pay, 23rd most generous of 50 countries (OECD average 63.2%). Low earner (half the average wage): 66%. High earner (twice the average): 59%.
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How Much of Your Money Is Protected in France
Bank deposits in France are protected up to €100,000 per depositor, per bank (about $111,900), the limit set by EU law for every member state. Harmonised by EU law; local-currency equivalent outside the euro. Money in payment apps and e-money wallets is usually not covered.
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Inheritance Tax in France
France has inheritance tax. Children can receive €100,000 per child tax-free, and the top rate for children is 45%, 3rd highest of 28 countries. Rates 5% to 45% above about €1.8 million per child; spouses are exempt. Rates for other relatives reach 60%.
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Retiring to France From Abroad
Foreign retirees usually move to France on the Long-stay visitor visa, which requires No fixed figure (usually at least the net minimum wage). Prices are about 78% of US levels, so $2,000 buys roughly what $2,580 would in the US. Pensions taxed under tax treaties; US Social Security is taxed only in the US.
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France vs Belgium, Ireland and Luxembourg
The same measures for France and its nearest neighbours in our data, side by side.
| Measure | France | Belgium | Ireland | Luxembourg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | €1,867/month (≈ $2,090/month) | €2,234/month (≈ $2,501/month) | €2,391/month (≈ $2,676/month) | €2,771/month (≈ $3,102/month) |
| Tax on an average wage | 28% (keeps 72%) | 39.5% (keeps 60%) | 25.1% (keeps 75%) | 32% (keeps 68%) |
| Pay rise forecast 2027 | 2.9% (inflation 3.4%) | — | 3.4% | — |
| Mortgage rate | 3.2% (new home loans, August 2026) | 3.7% (new home loans, August 2026) | 3.52% (new home loans, August 2026) | 3.63% (new home loans, August 2026) |
| Electricity (household) | €0.248/kWh (≈ $0.28) | €0.357/kWh (≈ $0.40) | €0.387/kWh (≈ $0.43) | €0.202/kWh (≈ $0.23) |
| Petrol price | €2.23/L (+30.4% since Feb) | €1.99/L (+32.2% since Feb) | €1.97/L (+13.3% since Feb) | €1.79/L (+22.7% since Feb) |
| State pension age | 62 y 9 m | 66 | 66 | — |
| Pension (share of pay) | 70% of net pay | 61.1% of net pay | 33.7% of net pay | 87.7% of net pay |
| Bank deposit protection | €100,000 per person, per bank | €100,000 per person, per bank | €100,000 per person, per bank | €100,000 per person, per bank |
| Inheritance tax (children) | top rate 45% | top rate 27% | top rate 33% | — |
Compare France With Other Countries
See every country side by side in Compare Countries 2026: Wages, Tax, Mortgages and Pensions, or compare France with nearby countries in our data: Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Germany.
Related Guides
Figures checked against the official sources listed in each linked guide in October 2026. Exchange-rate conversions are approximate. This page is for information and isn't financial or legal advice.
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