Investing in the U.S. in 2026: A Comprehensive Guide for French Investors

By Thibaut Guéant, co-founder of LandQuire · Updated October 13, 2026 · 17-minute read

It is possible to invest in the U.S. from France without a visa or local residency. You can buy stocks and ETFs, invest your capital in real estate or land, or invest in SCPIs with exposure to the United States.

This guide is intended for French investors who have at least €100,000 to invest and wish to diversify their assets outside the eurozone. It compares the five main investment options in the United States in 2026, covering the investment process, tax implications, estate planning, and risks. Each figure is cited with its official source.

In a nutshell

• U.S. GDP grew at an annualized rate of 2.2% in the second quarter of 2026 (BEA), and the unemployment rate stood at 4.2% in September 2026 (BLS).
• The stock market is valued at $68,900 billion, representing 43.7% of global market capitalization in 2025 (SIFMA).
• Five main options: the stock market, rental real estate, real estate investment trusts (SCPI), land, and crowdfunding or private equity. There are significant differences in volatility, liquidity, and minimum investment amounts.
• Texas gained 391,243 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, more than any other state (U.S. Census Bureau).
• The tax treaty between Paris and Washington, dated August 31, 1994, prevents double taxation and limits the withholding tax on dividends to 15 percent.
• If a nonresident’s estate in the U.S. exceeds $60,000 in assets, it must be reported to the IRS; the 1978 treaty on estates prevents double taxation.
• The euro-dollar exchange rate affects your returns just as much as the asset's own performance.

Why Invest in the U.S. in 2026?

Investing a portion of one’s assets across the Atlantic provides genuine diversification outside the eurozone. As the world’s largest economy, the United States offers market depth, a dynamic demographic, and a capacity for innovation that few countries can match, with opportunities across a wide range of sectors. For investors whose assets are already invested in Europe, this exposure helps avoid reliance on a single economy, a single currency, and a single real estate market.

The U.S. stock market was valued at 68,900 billion dollars in 2025, accounting for 43.7% of global market capitalization, according to SIFMA’s 2026 Capital Markets Fact Book.

U.S. GDP in 2026: Growth, Inflation, and Fed Policy

The U.S. economy continues to grow. Real GDP rose 2.2% at an annualized rate in the second quarter of 2026, according to the third estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released on September 30, 2026. The unemployment rate stood at 4.2% in September 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) employment report released on October 2, 2026.

On the inflation front, the year-over-year increase reached 3.4% in August 2026, according tothe Consumer Price Index published by the BLS. This is still far from the peak reached in June 2022, when inflation hit 9.1% year-over-year—its sharpest rise since November 1981, according to the BLS’s July 2022 press release.

This factor matters to investors: it guides the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy, and thus the cost of credit and asset valuations. Trade policy also plays a role: the tariffs raised by the Trump administration since 2025 have made some imports more expensive and are fueling uncertainty about economic activity.

Indicator	Value	Period	Source
Real GDP Growth (annualized rate)	2,2%	Second Quarter of 2026	BEA, September 30, 2026
Unemployment	4,2%	September 2026	BLS, October 2, 2026
Year-over-year inflation	3,4%	August 2026	BLS, September 11, 2026
Weight in global market capitalization	43,7%	2025	SIFMA, 2026

The Benefits of Investing in the United States

Three benefits are mentioned most often:

• diversifying your investments outside the eurozone with dollar-denominated assets;
• access to high-growth sectors (technology, healthcare, energy) and some of the world’s largest companies, such as Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia;
• A U.S. real estate market driven by population growth in the Southern states, where many cities—such as Atlanta and Houston—remain affordable, a far cry from prices in New York or Los Angeles.

The Dollar: A Factor in Its Own Right

An investor based in Europe who invests in dollars is automatically exposed to the euro/dollar exchange rate. A rising dollar increases returns when converted to euros; a falling dollar reduces them. The exchange rate is therefore taken into account from the outset, just like the asset’s performance.

How to Invest in the U.S.? The 5 Types of Investments

The U.S. market is not limited to the stock market. There are five major investment avenues, ranging from the most liquid to the most demanding.

1. The Stock Market: Stocks and ETFs

For investors who already have assets invested in life insurance or a securities account, the stock market is often their first exposure to U.S. financial markets. This exposure comes through ETFs—exchange-traded funds that track the S&P 500, the Nasdaq-100, or the MSCI World—or through shares of U.S. companies purchased directly. The PEA does not accept these securities directly: you must invest through a standard securities account (CTO), a unit-linked life insurance policy, or certain synthetic ETFs eligible for the PEA. Dividends are subject to withholding tax, as detailed below.

2. Rental Real Estate

Rental investing involves purchasing single-family homes or an investment property to collect rent in dollars. You must factor in property tax—the tax levied annually by the county—as well as closing costs and the expense of remote management, which is handled by a property manager. Net profitability depends on rent, operating expenses, and vacancy rates.

The U.S. real estate market doesn't work like ours. Properties for sale are listed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service); the buyer and seller each have their own agent; and, in many states, the sale is finalized at a title company rather than with a notary. Our guide toreal estate investing in the U.S. details strategies, types of properties, and mistakes to avoid.

For those looking to invest in real estate without buying directly, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are publicly traded real estate companies. According to Nareit, the trade association for REITs, these companies must distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to their shareholders.

3. SCPIs with exposure to the United States

SCPIs, or real estate investment trusts, purchase properties and distribute the rental income to their shareholders. Some invest a portion of their portfolio in the United States, most often in commercial real estate (retail, healthcare, offices), and the range of specialized options remains limited: Corum USA, launched in late 2024, positions itself as the first SCPI dedicated to this market. The average distribution rate for the entire sector stood at 4.92% in 2025, according to annual indicators published by ASPIM. This figure applies to all funds, not just those focused on the U.S., and past performance is not indicative of future results. Their advantages include a low minimum investment and management fully delegated to a specialized firm. Our article on U.S. SCPIs details how they work, their returns, and their limitations.

4. U.S. Land Ownership and Land Entitlement

Land investment involves purchasing undeveloped land, navigating the regulatory process (zoning, subdivision plan, utility connections), and then reselling the land—ready for construction—to developers. This development phase is called land entitlement. The cycle generally lasts 24 to 36 months, and the capital remains tied up until resale: this investment aims for capital appreciation, not rental income. This is LandQuire’s model, detailed in our report onland investment in the United States.

5. Real Estate Crowdfunding and Private Equity

Crowdfunding platforms open their operations to foreign investors for a period set in advance for each project. Private equity funds finance unlisted companies across all sectors over a longer time horizon. The projected return is never guaranteed: the risk of default and low liquidity are inherent in these investments.

Comparison Chart: The Differences Between the 5 Options

The table summarizes the differences in compensation, risk, liquidity, and minimum investment amount.

Investment	What Pays	Risk	Liquidity	Admission ticket	Who is it for?
Stocks and ETFs	Dividends and Capital Gains	Short-term increase	Good (daily rating)	Low	Liquid portion of an investment portfolio, long-term horizon
Real Estate Live	Rent net of taxes and management fees, plus capital gain on resale	Medium	Low	High	A property owner willing to manage a property remotely or delegate its management
SCPI	Dividends (4.92% on average in 2025)	Moderate	Low	Accessible	Profile: Looking for rental properties that require no management
Land	Capital gain on the resale of the land	High	Void prior to resale	Starting at $100,000 at LandQuire	Experienced investors willing to tie up their capital for 2 to 3 years
Crowdfunding and Private Equity	Returns as shown on the platform; not guaranteed	High	Very low	Variable	Someone willing to accept a loss and spread it across multiple projects

Sources: ASPIM (2025 distribution), LandQuire (minimum investment). Past performance is not indicative of future results.

What investment strategy is right for your profile?

With €100,000 or more, the question isn’t about choosing a single option, but rather about allocating your capital across several different investment vehicles, depending on your time horizon, your need for liquidity, and your risk tolerance. Three investor profiles often emerge:

• Conservative portfolio: broad-market ETFs in the U.S. and real estate investment trusts (REITs) with exposure to the U.S., for steady income and delegated management.
• Balanced portfolio: a foundation of ETFs, supplemented by rental real estate or real estate investment trusts (SCPIs), to combine capital gains and rental income.
• Dynamic profile: a real estate or private equity fund that is willing to tie up capital for 2 to 3 years in exchange for potentially higher returns.

These allocations are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute personalized advice: have them reviewed by a financial advisor.

Where to Invest in the United States in 2026?

The choice of state is just as important as the choice of investment. Demographics, employment, and local taxes shape the landscape of the most sought-after markets and cities.

Texas, the State with the Highest Population Growth

Texas gained 391,243 residents between July 2024 and July 2025 (+1.2%), more than any other state, while the nation’s population grew by only 0.5%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2025 population estimates.

Texas's major cities are driving this growth, according to Census Bureau estimates by metropolitan area and county. The San Antonio–New Braunfels metropolitan area, where most of LandQuire's projects are located, had a population of 2,813,140 as of July 1, 2025.

Metropolitan area	Population growth between July 2024 and July 2025
Houston	+126 720
Dallas–Fort Worth	+123 557
Austin	+53 796
San Antonio–New Braunfels	+38 402

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 estimates by metropolitan area.

Texas does not levy a state income tax. This makes the state an attractive place to live, which supports the market for homes and building lots. Our article on reasonsto invest in Texas details these advantages.

Florida and Other High-Growth Markets

Like Texas, Florida—from Miami to Tampa—does not levy an income tax and attracts new residents, but climate-related risks (hurricanes, floods) weigh on home insurance premiums and property values.

Our comparison of real estate in Texas and Florida puts these two states side by side. Other regions in the Southeast and West also offer investment opportunities, such as Georgia around Atlanta, North Carolina around Charlotte, Tennessee, and Arizona around Phoenix.

The process from France, in 5 steps

1. Choose a detention facility

For the stock market, all you need is a securities account opened with your broker. For real estate or property, ownership is often structured through an LLC (Limited Liability Company), a U.S. legal entity that separates the property from your personal assets. Our article on forming an LLC in the U.S. explains the steps involved and the situations in which it is useful. Its tax treatment should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with a financial advisor.

2. Obtain tax identification numbers

The company obtains an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, the federal tax agency. An individual who receives rental income applies for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) and reports that income on Form 1040-NR, which is intended for nonresidents.

3. Open an account and transfer funds

Funds are transferred via international wire transfer: keep an eye on exchange rates and bank fees. It remains difficult to obtain credit without a local credit history, and many foreign investors make their investments in cash. Our guide to real estate financing for foreign investors reviews the options.

4. Report your accounts and earnings

Foreign accounts must be reported annually (Form 3916 or 3916-bis), and U.S. income must be reported on your annual tax return.

5. Apply for a visa solely to settle in the country

No visa is required for a simple investment. The E-2 (investor) visa is for individuals who wish to settle in the country and operate a business there, with a substantial investment.

What are the tax implications for a French citizen who invests in the United States?

You remain subject to taxation in your country of tax residence on your total income. The Franco-American tax treaty of August 31, 1994, allocates the right to tax between Paris and Washington and prevents double taxation, generally through a tax credit.

As for stock market earnings, the IRS generally withholds 30% of most payments made to a nonresident, according to its page on withholding tax for nonresidents. For you, the treaty reduces this withholding to 15% of the gross dividend amount (Article 10), provided you file Form W-8BEN with your broker.

When a nonresident sells a property, the buyer generally withholds 15% of the sale price under the FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act), according to the IRS page on FIRPTA withholding. This withholding is an estimated tax payment, which is then adjusted on the federal tax return. Our article on the FIRPTA withholding for nonresidents explains how to reduce it using Form 8288-B.

For the IFI (real estate wealth tax), the threshold is €1,300,000 in taxable net assets as of January 1, 2026, including property held abroad, as noted in the IFI fact sheet on Service-public.gouv.fr.

Passing on an investment portfolio held in the United States

For substantial estates, estate taxes are just as important as income taxes. The IRS requires a return (Form 706-NA) for the estate of a nonresident whenever their U.S. assets exceed $60,000: real estate and land located in the U.S., and shares in U.S. companies. This is stated on the IRS page regarding the estates of nonresidents.

The Franco-American Convention of November 24, 1978, on Inheritance and Gifts modifies this regime for a decedent domiciled in France:

• Real estate is taxable where it is located, including shares in companies at least half of whose assets consist of real estate (Article 5);
• Other stocks and securities are taxable only in the country of residence or nationality of the decedent (Article 8);
• The IRS grants a tax credit calculated on a pro rata basis based on the value of the property located on the premises as a percentage of the total estate (Section 12);
• France taxes the entire estate and credits the tax already paid to the IRS on the same assets, up to the amount of tax due on those assets (Article 12).

The ownership structure (directly, through an LLC, or through a special-purpose company) affects how the investment is treated: have it reviewed by a notary or a tax attorney before investing.

Rule	Number	What this means	Source
Withholding Tax on Dividends	15% instead of 30%	Withholding as provided for in the 1994 agreement, using Form W-8BEN	Agreement dated August 31, 1994, IRS
FIRPTA Withholding Tax on Resale	15% of the sale price	Withheld by the buyer when the seller is a nonresident, then adjusted	IRS
Estate Declaration for a Nonresident	$60,000	Amount of on-site assets above which Form 706-NA is required	IRS
IFI Threshold	1 300 000€	Taxable net worth as of January 1, 2026, including assets held outside the country	Service-public.gouv.fr

This information is current as of the date of this article and is subject to change. Please have your situation reviewed by a tax attorney or a certified public accountant.

What are the risks of investing in the U.S.?

Like any investment, this investment involves specific risks:

• Exchange rates: A euro that appreciates against the dollar reduces the converted profit.
• Liquidity: Real estate investments, land holdings, crowdfunding, and private equity tie up capital for several years.
• Legal matters: Title to the property, easements, zoning, mineral rights, and regulatory restrictions must be verified before purchasing any land.
• Climate: flood-prone areas and hurricanes, particularly in the Southeast and along the Gulf Coast.
• Political factors: Government decisions (tariffs, taxation) can alter the investment environment.
• Offers that seem too good to be true: guaranteed returns, missing documents, pressure to sign quickly.

Our list of red flags to check before buying land in the United States helps you spot these warning signs.

Investing in the United States with LandQuire

LandQuire, founded in 2021 by Romain Daniellou and Thibaut Guéant and based in Miami, enables investors to participate in real estate transactions in the United States—primarily in Texas—for short-term real estate investments. Each property is held in full ownership by a special purpose vehicle (SPV), in which the investors are partners.

The model consists of five steps:

1. Identify: A proprietary algorithm analyzes more than 120 criteria per property to detect off-market opportunities.
2. Purchase: The team acquires the selected undeveloped land.
3. Develop: In collaboration with local municipalities, it obtains the necessary regulatory approvals (zoning, subdivision plan, utility connections).
4. Resale: Building-ready lots are sold to developers.
5. Share: The added value is distributed among the project partners.

Every project is insured, and a dedicated portal provides access to quarterly reports.

• More than 400 private investors.
• 50 real estate projects, 37 of which have been sold.
• An average investment horizon of 24 to 36 months, starting at $100,000.

Projects currently seeking funding are listed on the page for available land opportunities in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investments involve the risk of loss of principal.