What types of securities can I trade in a PEA Account?

A Plan d'épargne en actions (PEA) Account is a stock savings plan. It is a tax-advantaged plan in which you can invest up to 150,000 euros in cash into the account to acquire certain shares in French and European companies. Provided you meet certain holding and operating conditions, the PEA allows you to benefit from…

You can trade and transfer the following securities in your Plan d'épargne en actions (PEA) Account:

• Shares of French and European companies and shares of companies subject to corporation tax and headquartered in a member state of the European Economic Area…

Any French individual tax resident over the age of 18 can open a Plan d'épargne en actions (PEA) Account, provided he or she does not already own one, and is fiscally independent. There can only be two PEA Accounts within a single tax household – the taxpayer’s and his/her spouse’s…

Dividends and capital gains in a Plan d'épargne en actions (PEA) Account are exempt from French income tax and social security contributions as long as they are reinvested or held in the PEA Account.

When the PEA Account is closed or funds are withdrawn from the PEA Account, the net taxable gain (PEA net asset value - total amount paid in) allowable to the amount withdrawn would be subject to social security contributions in France.  In addition, depending on when the PEA Account is closed or funds withdrawn from the PEA Account and the reason for the withdrawal, the net taxable gain could also be subject to capital gains tax in France.  The table below summarizes the general tax consequences in France upon a withdrawal or closure of the PEA Account:…