As France considers a US-style global tax on wealthy expatriates, financial experts are warning that the ripple effects could extend well beyond its borders…
With mounting public debt across Europe, other nations may be tempted to follow suit, tightening fiscal rules and targeting high earners who move abroad to lower-tax jurisdictions.
The French proposal, advanced by Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s La France Insoumise, would require high-income citizens to continue paying French taxes for up to a decade after leaving the country. Although the measure is unlikely to pass in its current form, it reflects a shifting mood among European policymakers, many of whom are under pressure to find new revenue streams without further austerity.
French nationals residing in Monaco remain unaffected, as a long-standing agreement dating back to General de Gaulle ensures they already pay tax to France. This long-standing arrangement means they do not benefit from Monaco’s tax-free status, except in matters of inheritance relating to property located in the Principality. But the wider trend is clear: fiscal mobility within Europe may soon become more constrained.
For affluent Europeans weighing a change of residence, Monaco stands out as a stable and transparent jurisdiction, one that offers legal certainty, political neutrality, and a well-regulated financial framework. As fiscal borders tighten across the continent, the Principality’s appeal as a secure, future-proof destination is stronger than ever.
Photo by Rishi Jhajharia
