France PEL Calculator: Plan d'Épargne Logement Growth
Estimate what a French PEL (plan d'épargne logement) grows to — from an opening balance plus regular monthly payments at its fixed, guaranteed rate — France's regulated home-savings plan that also opens rights to a property loan.
Adjust the inputs and select Calculate for a full breakdown.
Year-by-year growth schedule
Compare Common Scenarios
How the numbers shift across typical situations for this calculator:
| Scenario | Future value | Total contributions | Total interest earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| €5k + €200/mo · 2% · 10yr | $32,649.93 | $29,000.00 | $3,649.93 |
| €0 + €100/mo · 2% · 4yr | $4,992.90 | $4,800.00 | $192.90 |
| €10k + €300/mo · 2.25% · 8yr | $43,492.65 | $38,800.00 | $4,692.65 |
| €2k + €150/mo · 1.75% · 12yr | $26,483.03 | $23,600.00 | $2,883.03 |
How This Calculator Works
Enter your opening balance, monthly payment, the PEL's fixed rate, and the years held. The calculator compounds the balance monthly and shows the projected value and the interest earned. A PEL pays a rate fixed for the life of the plan (set at opening by the government) and is designed for saving towards a home, with a minimum holding period to keep its benefits.
The Formula
Future Value with Regular Contributions
P = starting amount, PMT = monthly contribution, r = monthly rate (annual ÷ 12), n = number of months
Worked Example
A €5,000 opening balance plus €200 a month for 10 years at 2% grows to about €32,649.93 — roughly €3,649.93 of interest. The PEL is a regulated savings plan: you commit to regular payments, the rate is locked when you open it, and after a minimum term (currently 4 years) you keep the interest and may obtain a home loan at a related fixed rate. It has a compulsory minimum annual payment and a balance ceiling (€61,200 excluding capitalised interest).
Key Insight
The PEL is a cornerstone of regulated French saving, and its rules shape whether it suits you. Its defining feature is the fixed, guaranteed rate set at opening for the entire life of the plan — unlike the Livret A, whose rate floats — so a PEL opened in a high-rate period stays attractive, while one opened in a low-rate period is locked low. In exchange you commit to a minimum payment schedule (recently €540/year) and accept a ceiling on payments (€61,200 excluding capitalised interest). The plan is built for property: holding it for the minimum period (currently 4 years) preserves the interest, and the PEL confers rights to a home loan at a fixed rate tied to the savings rate, plus in some cases a state bonus (prime d'État) for older plans — though the loan rights matter less when market mortgage rates are below the PEL loan rate. Tax is the key modern caveat this estimate omits: PELs opened since 2018 have their interest subject to the flat tax (prélèvement forfaitaire unique, 30% including social contributions) from the first year, and even older plans face social contributions (17.2%) and, after 12 years, income tax — so the net return is below the headline rate. The plan can be funded for up to 10 years and held up to 15; withdrawing before 4 years forfeits advantages and can reduce the rate. This calculator gives a gross, constant-rate projection of the savings balance; for your real outcome, subtract the applicable tax and social contributions on the interest, respect the minimum payments and ceiling, and weigh the guaranteed rate against alternatives like the Livret A or market investments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is PEL growth calculated?
Your opening balance and monthly payments compound at the fixed PEL rate (annual rate ÷ 12 per month). €5,000 plus €200/month for 10 years at 2% grows to about €32,649.93, with roughly €3,649.93 of interest — before tax and social contributions.
What is a PEL?
The plan d'épargne logement — a regulated French savings plan with a rate fixed for the life of the plan, designed for saving towards a home. You commit to regular minimum payments, and after a minimum holding period you keep the interest and gain rights to a property loan at a related fixed rate.
Is the PEL rate fixed?
Yes — unlike the Livret A (whose rate floats), the PEL rate is set by the government when you open the plan and guaranteed for its whole life. A PEL opened in a high-rate period stays attractive; one opened when rates are low is locked at that lower rate.
Is PEL interest taxed?
Yes. PELs opened since 2018 have interest subject to the 30% flat tax (PFU, including social contributions) from year one. Older plans face 17.2% social contributions and, after 12 years, income tax. So the net return is lower than the headline rate this calculator shows.
How long must I keep a PEL?
At least 4 years to keep its advantages; withdrawing earlier forfeits benefits and can reduce the rate. You can pay into a PEL for up to 10 years and hold it up to 15. There's a compulsory minimum annual payment and a ceiling on total payments (€61,200 excluding capitalised interest).
Related Calculators
Methodology & Review
The future value compounds an opening balance plus a fixed monthly payment at the PEL's annual rate, compounded monthly. It assumes a constant rate and end-of-month deposits, and does not enforce the PEL's minimum monthly payment, ceiling, or the social contributions and (for newer plans) income tax due on the interest.
Written by Ugo Candido · Last updated May 22, 2026.