Calculating crypto tax in France is based on the Weighted Average Price (WAP) method, a unique European approach that considers your entire portfolio at each disposal. Here is how it works in practice.
The WAP method: basic principle
The French method does not calculate the gain on each crypto sold individually. It treats your entire crypto portfolio as a global entity and calculates the taxable fraction of each disposal proportionally.
Formula: Taxable gain = Disposal proceeds − (Total acquisition cost × Disposal proceeds / Total portfolio value at time of disposal).
This is more complex than FIFO, but has an advantage: if your overall portfolio is at an unrealised loss, even a profitable disposal can generate a tax loss.
Worked example: step by step
You bought 1 BTC at €20,000 and 5 ETH at €2,000 each (total cost: €30,000). You sell 0.5 BTC when BTC is worth €40,000 and ETH is worth €3,000.
Disposal proceeds: 0.5 × 40,000 = €20,000. Total portfolio value: 1 BTC × 40,000 + 5 ETH × 3,000 = €55,000.
Capital gain = 20,000 − (30,000 × 20,000 / 55,000) = 20,000 − 10,909 = €9,091. Tax: €2,855 (31.4%, the rate applicable to disposals made since 1 January 2025); disposals up to 2024 were taxed at 30% (€2,727).
Flat tax: 31.4% since 2025 disposals
The PFU (Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique) breaks down as 12.8% income tax + 18.6% social contributions (CSG raised from 9.2% to 10.6% by the 2026 Social Security Financing Act), a total flat tax of 31.4%. The increase applies retroactively to disposals made since 1 January 2025 (a mechanism specific to patrimonial income, assessed via the following year's tax return); disposals up to 2024 were taxed at 30% (17.2% social contributions).
Taxpayers with a marginal tax rate below 12.8% can opt for the progressive scale. This option applies to all capital income, not just crypto. Under that option the 18.6% social contributions remain due, and a 6.8% CSG fraction is deductible from the following year's taxable income (art. 154 quinquies CGI, unchanged by the LFSS 2026) — the non-deductible portion therefore becomes 3.8%.
Crypto losses can be offset against crypto gains in the same year but cannot be offset against ordinary securities gains.
Calculate your crypto tax in minutes
SafeTax automatically applies the French WAP method and tells you box by box what to declare. Free analysis.
Try SafeTax for freeFrequently asked questions about crypto tax calculation in France
What is the crypto tax rate in France?
The standard rate is the PFU (flat tax) of 31.4%: 12.8% income tax + 18.6% social contributions (raised by the LFSS 2026, applied retroactively to disposals made since 1 January 2025). Disposals up to 2024 were taxed at 30%. Taxpayers with a lower marginal rate can opt for the progressive scale — the 18.6% social contributions remain due in that case, with a 6.8% CSG fraction deductible from the following year's income (art. 154 quinquies CGI).
How does the WAP method work?
The WAP method calculates the gain in proportion to the value of what you sell relative to your entire portfolio at the time of disposal.
Does SafeTax automatically apply the WAP method?
Yes. SafeTax applies the French WAP method to each disposal, taking into account your entire portfolio at the time of each transaction.
Do I need to declare my crypto if I haven't sold anything?
No. Simply holding crypto is not taxable in France: tax arises only on a disposal (selling for euros, or paying for goods or services). As long as you stay in crypto, there is no taxable gain to report.
Can a crypto capital loss be carried forward to future years?
No. A crypto loss can only be offset against crypto gains of the same year; a net negative balance cannot be carried forward to later years.
Which forms do I use to declare crypto in France?
Gains are computed on form 2086, then carried over to the income tax return (2042 C). Crypto accounts held abroad must also be declared (form 3916-bis).
Is staking taxed in France?
France has no single, settled rule for staking, and interpretations differ: some treat the tokens received under the capital-gains regime for digital assets (taxed on disposal), others suggest taxation on receipt. With no clear guidance, keep your records and check your case on impots.gouv.fr.
What if I lost my crypto (theft, exchange collapse)?
In principle, a loss that does not result from a disposal (hack, theft, platform bankruptcy) does not give rise to a deductible capital loss in France, as there is no taxable event. The point is not explicitly regulated: keep all evidence and check impots.gouv.fr.
I'm leaving France — is there an exit tax on my crypto?
The French exit tax (art. 167 bis CGI) targets securities and company rights; digital assets are not expressly covered. A change of tax residence still has reporting consequences — check your situation on impots.gouv.fr.
How much does SafeTax cost?
The crypto tax simulator is free to use. Generating a declaration-ready report for a given tax year is paid, with pricing based on your number of transactions; an optional subscription unlocks the Advanced simulator (lot optimisation and transaction-impact preview).
Is SafeTax tax advice?
No. SafeTax is an educational and declaration-support tool, not tax advice. Figures are computed from publicly available tax rules for each country; for your personal situation, confirm with a qualified tax professional.
What makes SafeTax different from other crypto tax tools?
SafeTax is privacy-first: every figure is computed in your browser and nothing is stored (zero data retention). It covers 19 countries with a calculation method specific to each, is available in 9 languages, and offers a free simulator to estimate your tax before you buy a report.
SafeTax provides tax declaration assistance tools but does not constitute personalized tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional for your specific situation. Tax information may evolve and varies by jurisdiction.