The assurance-vie is France's most popular investment: over β¬1.9 trillion is invested in these contracts at end-2025 (French Insurance Federation). No wonder β it combines flexibility, favourable taxation and optimised estate planning. But not all contracts are equal, far from it.
This article compares the best online contracts available in 2026, breaks down their fees, performance and features, to help you choose with full knowledge of the facts.
How Does an Assurance-Vie Work?
Despite its name, an assurance-vie is not primarily a life insurance product. It is above all a savings wrapper allowing you to invest in different assets:
- Euro fund (fonds en euros): guaranteed capital, secure return (around 3β4% in 2026). The insurer guarantees you cannot lose your initial investment.
- Unit-linked (unitΓ©s de compte / UC): equities, bonds, REITs (SCPI), ETFs, private equity... Capital not guaranteed but significantly higher return potential.
Most modern contracts offer a mixed allocation, which we recommend based on your risk profile.
Assurance-Vie Taxation: A Considerable Advantage
Assurance-vie benefits from unique tax treatment in France, particularly after 8 years of holding:
| Duration | Tax on Withdrawals | Annual Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 4 years | 30% flat tax (12.8% income tax + 17.2% social contributions) | None |
| 4 to 8 years | 30% flat tax | None |
| Over 8 years | 7.5% + 17.2% social = 24.7% (on contributions under β¬150,000) | β¬4,600 (single) / β¬9,200 (couple) |
Open an assurance-vie contract today, even with β¬100. The tax clock starts from the date you open the contract, not from your first major contribution. In 8 years, you will benefit from the favourable tax treatment.
Estate Planning Advantage: Up to β¬152,500 Tax-Free per Beneficiary
Assurance-vie sits outside the civil estate (barring abuse). Each named beneficiary receives up to β¬152,500 completely free of inheritance tax (for contributions made before age 70). Above this, a 20% then 31.25% levy applies β still far more advantageous than standard inheritance tax rates.
Best Online Contracts Compared 2026
| Contract | Insurer | Entry Fees | UC Mgmt Fees | Euro Fund 2025 | ETFs Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linxea Spirit 2 | Spirica (CrΓ©dit Agricole) | 0% | 0.50%/yr | 3.13% | Yes (Amundi, iShares) |
| Linxea Avenir 2 | Suravenir (CrΓ©dit Mutuel) | 0% | 0.60%/yr | 2.80% | Yes |
| Yomoni Vie | Suravenir | 0% | 0.60% + 0.30% Yomoni | 2.80% | ETF managed portfolio |
| Boursorama Vie | Generali | 0% | 0.75%/yr | 2.91% | Yes (selection) |
| Fortuneo Vie | Suravenir | 0% | 0.60%/yr | 2.80% | Yes |
| Nalo | Generali | 0% | 0.55% + 0.20% Nalo | 2.91% | ETF managed portfolio |
Spotlight: Linxea Spirit 2 β Our Top Pick
Linxea Spirit 2 is probably the best value-for-money contract on the market in 2026. Here's why:
- Among the lowest management fees: 0.50%/yr on unit-linked assets, no entry or exit fees
- Wide investment universe: over 700 assets including Amundi and iShares ETFs, REITs, private equity
- Strong euro fund: 3.13% net in 2025 (boosted up to 4.13% under certain UC allocation conditions)
- Modern online interface with unlimited free portfolio switches
Yomoni Vie: ETF-Based Managed Portfolio
Yomoni takes a different approach: you choose a risk profile (from P1 very defensive to P10 very aggressive) and Yomoni manages everything automatically via ETFs. The interface is ultra-simple, ideal for those who do not want to manage their own allocation.
Total fees are around 1.6% per year (insurance fees + Yomoni fees + ETF fees). Slightly more expensive than self-managed portfolios on Linxea, but justified if you are a novice or have little time.
What Investment Strategy Should You Adopt?
Cautious Profile (less than 40% UC)
60% euro fund + 40% bond ETFs and REITs. Suitable if you plan a withdrawal in less than 5 years or have a low risk tolerance.
Balanced Profile (50β70% UC)
40% euro fund + 60% diversified ETFs (MSCI World, S&P 500, bonds). The classic allocation for a 10-year goal.
Aggressive Profile (80β100% UC)
100% global equity ETFs. Suitable for a 15β20 year goal and high risk tolerance. Short-term volatility is significant but long-term return potential is maximised.
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Traditional bank contracts: entry fees up to 3β5%, UC management fees at 0.9β1%, restricted investment universe. Avoid.
- Bank managed portfolios: often invested in costly in-house funds. Prefer independent robo-advisors like Yomoni or Nalo.
- Too much in the euro fund: with inflation, a 100% euro fund contract loses value in real terms over the long term.