Detailed comparison
| Side-by-side comparison of taxation, cost of living and scores between the two countries. |  France | |
|---|---|---|
| Taxation | ||
| Dividend tax | 31.4% | 0%, Edge to this country |
| Capital gains tax | 31.4% | 0%, Edge to this country |
| Corporate tax | 25%, TieScale15-25% | 25%, Tie |
| Wealth tax | Yes, IFI (real estate only): net taxable real estate assets > €1.3M on 1 January, rates 0.5% to 1.5% (from €800,000); ETFs, shares and bonds excluded | No (no tax on financial assets; only the high-value housing tax applies, to residences in Turkey with a tax value above TRY 17,711,000 in 2026, real estate only) |
| Direct inheritance | 45%Scale5-45% | 10%, Edge to this countryScale1-10% |
| Cost and real estate | ||
| Monthly FIRE budget | €2,700 | €1,600, Edge to this country |
| Cost-of-living score | 37.5 | 81.5, Edge to this country |
| Reference city | Paris | Antalya |
| City-center 2-bed rent | €2,950 | €750, Edge to this country |
| Safety and FIRE score | ||
| Insecurity | 2.1, Edge to this country | 2.6 |
| FIRE Ultimate V3 score | 62.2 | 93.9, Edge to this country |
Verdict
- Turkey wins on cost of living (an index of around 40, Antalya on the Mediterranean), the absence of a wealth tax and gentle direct-line inheritance (1% to 10%), and above all the 20-year regime at 0% on foreign income, now in force for new residents.
- France keeps the edge on stability: a readable 31.4% flat tax, a stable currency, a secure legal framework, and far higher safety (Turkey ranks 136th out of 163 on the Global Peace Index).
- Verdict: for a new resident, Turkey exempts foreign income for 20 years, against a French flat tax of 31.4%. Outside that regime, the 15% to 40% scale can exceed the flat tax. It also appeals for its cost of living, provided one accepts a highly volatile lira and non-creditable foreign withholding tax.
Frequently asked questions about this duel
Is Turkey less taxed than France in 2026?
Yes, for a new resident. Law 7582 exempts foreign dividends and capital gains for 20 years, with no filing, provided the person was neither domiciled nor taxable in Turkey in the previous 3 calendar years. Foreign withholding tax (20% on US dividends), however, cannot be credited. Outside this regime, the progressive scale of 15% to 40% can exceed the French 31.4% flat tax for a large portfolio. Source: PwC 2026.
Is the Turkish 20-year exemption regime in force?
Yes. Voted by the Turkish parliament on 21 May 2026, it now sits in Law 7582 (article mükerrer 20/D of the Income Tax Law). It exempts the foreign income of a new resident for 20 years, provided they were neither domiciled nor taxable in Turkey in the previous 3 calendar years. Source: Law 7582.
Does Turkey's cost of living offset the currency risk?
The cost of living is among the lowest in the Mediterranean basin, with an index of around 40 and a three-bedroom flat at around €750 a month in central Antalya. But the lira shows annual volatility of around 21% and inflation reached 34.9% in 2025, which can quickly erode a euro budget. The trade-off depends on the ability to hedge that risk and keep savings out of lira. Source: cost-of-living indices, 2026.