6 Passive Income Ideas in France
Updated on 21 July 2026
In France, a passive income is income generated by an asset (real estate, financial investments, online content) that requires little management once it is set up. Here are 6 concrete ideas for generating one: rental property, SCPI (sociétés civiles de placement immobilier, France's non-traded real-estate investment vehicles), ETF dividends, e-commerce, content creation and bonds.
- All investing, including rental property and SCPI, carries a risk of partial or total capital loss.
- Under the self-financing principle, rent or income received alone should cover the loan, charges and unexpected costs.
- Building multiple passive income streams strengthens financial security and reduces dependence on earned income.
- Some ideas, such as SCPI or dividends, require little time; others, such as rental property or e-commerce, require more active management.
Defining your life goals and values
In wealth management, this type of income plays a major role in building financial independence. The search for returns is even keener given that the French household savings rate averaged 18.3% of gross disposable income over 2025, a historically high level, according to Insee.
Think about why you want more income by setting concrete goals. Picture your life once you have reached them: “I want a house in the south and to live close to nature”, “I want to set up an association and I need to fund it”, “I want to devote myself to my passion for horse riding”. These goals will be the engine of your motivation.
Investing is the opposite of speculation. A profitable investment can be beneficial or harmful to society. Keep in mind that even when the results of your investments are not always visible (e.g. buying stocks in an oil company), your money will fund projects that affect other people’s lives. Nobody is asking you to be a saint, but do it responsibly!
What are the best ideas for generating passive income?
The most accessible ideas combine rental property, SCPI, ETF dividends, e-commerce, content creation and bonds. Finding the one that suits you is not always straightforward: before getting started, it is important to set a framework. These ideas should meet 3 criteria: fit your schedule, match the amount you want to invest, and generate a level of income that meets your expectations. Using a wealth spreadsheet will help you quickly calculate your passive income.
Here are some examples of investment ideas we have identified:
| Idea | Starting capital | Required involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Rental property | High (down payment and loan) | High (management, renovations) |
| SCPI | Moderate | Low (delegated management) |
| Dividends (ETF) | Moderate | Low |
| Selling products online | Low to moderate | High (creation, management) |
| Blog or newsletter | Low | High at the start, low afterwards |
| Bonds | Moderate | Low |
Rental property
Buy a flat, renovate it and rent it out. Taking out a loan can finance the purchase but increases the risk (debt, rental risk, vacancy). Under the self-financing principle, rent received alone should cover the loan repayments, charges, taxes and unexpected costs; the remainder is the passive income. Different tax regimes exist, such as LMNP (loueur en meublé non professionnel, France's tax status for non-professional furnished rental) or unfurnished rental, and their relevance depends on your personal situation; it is advisable to consult an adviser. Simple on paper, renting out property involves many operational challenges and can be time-consuming. Our rental property investment guide covers every step of the project.
Real estate, or “pierre-papier” (SCPI, OPCI, REITs...)
SCPI (sociétés civiles de placement immobilier) let you buy units in a property management company that pays you part of the rent collected several times a year. This is the “pierre-papier” approach to real estate (indirect property investment through a fund rather than buying a property directly), which also covers OPCI and REITs. You can choose the fund based on its sector, geography and the type of properties it holds. Chosen funds should have a track record, hold substantial capital and maintain an occupancy rate above 90%. Avoid funds that hold a majority of commercial premises. It is possible to use a loan to buy SCPI shares, but negotiating with your bank will be more difficult. Our SCPI guide covers the different types of funds and their taxation.
Dividends
Profitable companies reward their shareholders by paying a dividend. Instead of picking individual stocks, buy specialised ETFs made up of companies that have paid high dividends for a long time. Several wrappers offer distinct tax frameworks whose relevance depends on your situation: the PEA (Plan d’Épargne en Actions, a French tax-advantaged equity savings account), life insurance, whose euro funds delivered an average return of 2.6% in 2025 according to France Assureurs, and the securities account.
Selling products
Setting up an e-commerce site to sell products you design, using turnkey solutions for building the site, managing payments and shipping, can generate additional income. Be careful: certain practices such as dropshipping have been flagged by the DGCCRF (France's consumer protection authority) and are not recommended.
Starting a blog or newsletter
Publishing your own blog on a subject you are passionate about helps you build a community. Once you reach critical mass, you can move into affiliate marketing or offer digital products such as subscriptions to a Premium version of your site or newsletter.
Bonds
A bond is a loan made to a government or a company, repaid at maturity and paid a regular coupon. Once the bond is bought, management is minimal: unlike rental property, there is no tenant or renovation work to oversee. The risk is not zero, however: the bond’s value fluctuates before maturity (interest-rate risk) and the issuer can default (credit risk), particularly on lower-rated corporate bonds. Bonds are accessible via a securities account or unit-linked funds within a life insurance policy. Our bonds guide covers the types of bonds, their taxation and diversification strategies.
In brief
It is important that you feel comfortable with your investment. It is generally advisable to start with investment options you understand. ETFs and REITs/SCPI remain investments that carry a risk of capital loss, and their income is not guaranteed. For any decision suited to your situation, seek advice from an authorised financial adviser.
Sources
Insee, household savings rate, fourth quarter 2025
France Assureurs, 2025 life insurance report: average return of euro funds
Regulatory disclaimers: Marketing communication. Investing carries a risk of partial or total capital loss. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This article is provided for information and educational purposes only; it does not constitute personalised investment advice, a buy or sell recommendation, or tax advice.
Before investing, read the Key Information Document (KID) and, where relevant, consult an authorised adviser.
Finary SAS, an investment firm authorised by the ACPR (no. 19283), member of AMAFI. Insurance broker registered with ORIAS (no. 21001279), member of the CNCGP (association approved by the AMF). Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorised by the AMF under the MiCA regime, references no. A2026-026 and no. N2026-008.
