France Dividend Withholding Tax
Complete guide for international investors — rates, reclaim deadlines, and which forms to file.
Last updated 2026-06-15
France withholds 12.8% on dividends paid to non-resident investors. If you live in a country with a tax treaty, you can reclaim the difference between that rate and your treaty rate (typically 15%) — up to 0.0 percentage points — by filing a refund claim with the Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP) within 2 years.
About France's Withholding Tax
France reduced its flat dividend withholding rate to 12.8% (PFU — prélèvement forfaitaire unique) in 2018. This low standard rate means some treaty rates are equal or higher, so the reclaim opportunity depends on your specific treaty. Social charges (17.2%) may also apply to EU residents.
Available Forms
Reclaim by Investor Residence Country
How much investors from each country can reclaim from France's 12.8% withholding tax. Click your residence country for a detailed guide.
| Your residence country | Standard WHT | Treaty rate | Reclaimable | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇱🇺Luxembourg | 12.8% | 5% | 7.8% | |
| 🇺🇸United States | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇩🇪Germany | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇪🇸Spain | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇳🇱Netherlands | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇧🇪Belgium | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇨🇭Switzerland | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇮🇹Italy | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇸🇪Sweden | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇳🇴Norway | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇩🇰Denmark | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇫🇮Finland | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇦🇹Austria | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇵🇹Portugal | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇮🇪Ireland | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇵🇱Poland | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇦🇺Australia | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇨🇦Canada | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇸🇬Singapore | 12.8% | 15% | None | |
| 🇯🇵Japan | 12.8% | 15% | None |
* Treaty rates shown are standard DTT dividend rates. Lower rates may apply to substantial shareholdings. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
How to reclaim France withholding tax
- 1
Confirm the tax withheld
Check your dividend voucher or broker statement — France should show 12.8% withheld at source.
- 2
Get a certificate of tax residence
Request a certificate of tax residence from your home country's tax authority for the year the dividend was paid.
- 3
Complete Form 5001
Fill in the France reclaim form with your dividend amounts and the tax withheld.
- 4
Submit before the deadline
File your claim with the Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP) within 2 years.
Frequently asked questions
How much France dividend withholding tax can I reclaim?
France withholds 12.8%. Investors resident in tax-treaty countries can usually reclaim down to a 15% treaty rate — about 0.0 percentage points — leaving 15% as final tax. Your exact treaty rate depends on your country of residence.
What is the deadline to reclaim France withholding tax?
2 years, counted (in most cases) from the end of the year the dividend was paid. After the deadline the claim is time-barred and the overpaid tax cannot be recovered.
Which form do I use to reclaim France withholding tax?
Form 5001 — Demande de remboursement d'impôt retenu à la source sur dividendes. It is submitted to the Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP).
Do I need a certificate of tax residence?
Yes. Most tax authorities require a certificate of tax residence from your home country to grant the reduced treaty rate on a withholding tax reclaim.
Ready to reclaim your France withholding tax?
Tax Reclaim generates the exact form you need, pre-filled with your dividend data.
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