Pensions

Make your dream come true

Many of us, for various reasons, dream of spending our retirement abroad. Perhaps
we’re looking for a better climate or an area where we can improve our quality of life.

Retire “the French way”

The alluring and delightful South of France has always held great appeal for visitors from all over the world. The pleasant climate, the beautiful landscapes, the cultural opportunities, and the lively people—you can find it all here. If you want to retire “like a Frenchman,” you’ll also enjoy very favorable retirement terms as an added bonus.
Here, we will discuss the most important factors to consider.

Things to Do in Sweden

First, of course, you should notify the authorities of your intention to move. You do this by contacting the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.

To be eligible for taxation in France, you must meet a number of legal requirements. The French tax authorities will evaluate your application by conducting a comprehensive assessment of the following factors

  • You should not stay in Sweden for more than 4–5 months
  • You may not have your primary residence in Sweden. A vacation home is acceptable; it may be advantageous if it is not located in a metropolitan area and if you do not register your address there.
  • You should not have a family in Sweden (at least not a wife and young children)
  • You may not engage in any business activities in Sweden, nor may you own or have a stake in any company
  • You are not allowed to serve on any Swedish board

Things to do in France

It might be a good idea to visit a local tax office in the municipality where you will be living

  • Open a bank account
  • Study tax regulations, particularly French inheritance tax, gift tax, and pension tax.
  • Find out whether your pension types are subject to the tax treaty between France and Sweden. For example, public pensions are taxed in Sweden, while most other types of pensions are taxed in France. Note that a wealth tax applies, but only at relatively high levels
  • Make sure you are eligible for French healthcare; obtain a Carte Vitale using a certificate from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. The certificate must be submitted to the French Social Security Office. Also make sure you are registered with the French general practitioner system. You may want to consider obtaining French health insurance, known as a Mutuelle.
  • We recommend that you draw up a French will, as French law differs from Swedish law regarding wills. Ask a lawyer or notary for assistance.
  • Make sure all your insurance policies are valid from day one in France.

This last piece of advice is perhaps the most important. Start early. Sometimes things take a long time.

Taxes in France on Swedish pensions

First of all, we would like to emphasize that if you plan to retire in France, your pension may be taxed at a significantly lower rate there than in Sweden. As a general rule, a standard pension in Sweden is taxed at a minimum of 30%, whereas in France you might pay 11–15%.
Here we will provide examples of the approximate tax rates that may apply in France.
Please note that we do not include factors other than the pension paid out from Sweden; we therefore do not take into account any assets, investment income, or similar sources. The tax treaty between Sweden and France means that only France taxes most Swedish pensions.
France taxes the household, not each individual separately (they have joint taxation). This is an advantage, among other things, for different income levels.
Please consider the information below to be approximate. We have used the French tax authority’s simulation tables for 2025 and an exchange rate of 11.00 SEK.

A single person may first claim a 10% deduction, but not more than €4,321.
No tax is paid on pensions under €11,520 per year.
The following rates apply (2026)
11% between €11,520 and €29,373
30% between €29,374 and €83,988
41% between €83,989 and €180,648
45% on pensions exceeding €180,649

Here are a few examples. Please note that the exact tax amount may depend on individual circumstances and specific deductions. Social security contributions may sometimes apply. For this reason, we provide a range of values.

– A single person with a Swedish pension of approximately 25,000 SEK per month pays 4–6% in taxes in France
– A couple with a combined income of 40,000 SEK per month is taxed jointly and pays 10–12%

We will provide more examples after reviewing the new rules effective in 2026.
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