Best Assurance-Vie (Life Insurance) in France in 2026
Assurance-vie is France's most popular investment vehicle — €2 trillion in assets. But quality varies enormously. Some contracts charge 2-3%/year in fees; the best charge under 0.6%. Here's an honest comparison of the top options in 2026.
Why assurance-vie is still relevant in 2026
- Tax advantage after 8 years: €4,600/year in gains exempt from income tax (€9,200 for couples). You only pay 18.6% social charges.
- Estate planning: assets passed outside your estate, up to €152,500 per beneficiary tax-free.
- Flexibility: you can withdraw at any time (unlike the PER), with a degraded tax treatment in the first 8 years.
- Complementary to PEA: PEA caps at €150,000. Assurance-vie has no deposit limit.
The best assurance-vie contracts in France 2026
| Contract | Annual management fees | ETF available | Min. deposit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linxea Avenir 2 | 0.60% | Yes (80+ ETFs) | €500 | Autonomy + wide ETF selection |
| Lucya Cardif (BNP) | 0.60% | Yes (100+ ETFs) | €300 | Largest ETF catalog available |
| Boursorama Vie | 0.75% | Yes | €300 | BoursoBank users, simplicity |
| Nalo | 0.55% + 0.25% platform | Yes (automated) | €1,000 | Beginners wanting a managed service |
| Spirica / Generali | 0.60–0.80% | Yes | €1,000 | Wider unit-linked fund selection |
Linxea Avenir 2 for autonomy-seekers: 0.60% annual fee, 80+ ETFs including CW8, PAEEM, and bond ETFs. Open online in 15 minutes. Nalo for complete beginners: you answer questions about your goals and they manage the allocation automatically, including lifecycle shifting as you age.
What to avoid
- Bank-branch assurance-vie: Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, LCL. Typically 2-3% management fees + 3-5% entry fees. Over 20 years, that destroys performance.
- Unit-linked funds with entry fees: some "UCITS funds" inside assurance-vie charge 2-5% on entry. Never accept entry fees — only fee-free unit-linked funds (ETFs primarily).
- 100% euro fund: the guaranteed euro fund returns ~2% in 2026. Fine as a safety buffer, but not as a wealth-building vehicle. Aim for 70-80% in unit-linked ETFs.
The ideal allocation inside assurance-vie
For a 30-year-old with a 15+ year horizon:
- 80% unit-linked funds: CW8 (MSCI World) or equivalent MSCI World ETF
- 10% emerging markets ETF (PAEEM equivalent)
- 10% euro guaranteed fund (liquidity buffer)
The euro fund allocation increases with age: at 50, 20-30% in the euro fund is more appropriate.
Track your assurance-vie on TREESTEP
TREESTEP helps you monitor your full portfolio allocation across PEA and assurance-vie, earn XP for every monthly contribution, and visualize your tax advantage accumulating over 8 years.
Start for free →FAQ
Can I have multiple assurance-vie contracts?
Yes, unlike the PEA (one per person), you can hold as many assurance-vie contracts as you want. A common strategy: one contract per beneficiary (child, spouse), or separate contracts for different goals (retirement, real estate project, emergency fund).
Can I lose money in assurance-vie?
Yes, if your allocation is in unit-linked funds (ETFs, UCITS). The capital is not guaranteed — it fluctuates with market prices. The euro fund component is capital-guaranteed by the insurer. Never put emergency savings in unit-linked funds.