Thursday, September 17
(virtual)
Investing in France as an American: Navigating Two Financial Worlds
Investing while living in France can be surprisingly complicated for Americans and dual U.S.-French citizens. U.S. tax rules, French taxation and European investment regulations can overlap in ways that restrict access to investment products on both sides of the Atlantic. It can sometimes feel as though Americans in France are caught between two financial systems, with surprisingly few straightforward answers about how to invest, save and plan for retirement.
Join Democrats Abroad France for a practical conversation with Robert Levitt, CFA, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Levitt Capital Management, who specializes in working with U.S. citizens who are fiscal residents in Europe.
Robert will address some of the most common questions and challenges facing Americans investing from France, including:
- What you can and cannot do with investments while living in France
- Which U.S. brokerage and investment accounts can be maintained while resident in France, and how to open an account as a U.S. person with a French address
- Whether you need to maintain a U.S. address or U.S. phone number
- The differences between using a U.S. brokerage firm and a French or European financial institution
- Why certain French and European investments can create U.S. tax complications, including PFICs
- Why Americans living in Europe may have difficulty purchasing U.S. ETFs and mutual funds under European MiFID II rules
- How 401(k)s, Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs are treated in France
- How the France-U.S. tax treaty can affect investment and retirement planning
- French investment vehicles such as the PEA and assurance-vie, and what U.S. persons need to consider
- Key considerations when building a portfolio when your financial life spans both France and the United States
Who is this webinar for?
Whether you've recently moved to France, have lived here for years, are approaching retirement or are already retired, this webinar is for Americans looking for clearer answers about investing while navigating both the French and U.S. systems.
It is equally relevant if you're just beginning to invest or already have significant investments in the United States or France but want to better understand the rules, restrictions and potential pitfalls.
About Robert Levitt
Robert Levitt, CFA is Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Levitt Capital Management, a European-licensed investment and wealth manager focused on U.S. citizens who are fiscal residents in Europe. Headquartered in Nice, France, the firm has clients in 14 European countries.
Robert holds an undergraduate
degree in International Management from the University of New Mexico and an MBA from AmericanUniversity in Washington, D.C. He also holds degrees from the Université de Nice/Sophia Antipolis and Université Lyon II and is completing a doctorate in Medieval History at the Université de Perpignan.
Robert is also Deputy Chair of the Democrats Abroad Taxation Task Force and a voting member of the French delegation to the DPCA.
Live Q&A
The webinar will include a live Q&A with Robert. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions in advance so we can shape the discussion around the issues of greatest interest to Americans living in France. Attendees are asked to please click here to pre-submit any questions you have by Monday, September 14th at midnight CET.
Important information
This webinar is intended to provide general educational information and does not constitute individualized investment, financial, legal or tax advice. Democrats Abroad France does not provide individual investment or tax advice.
Robert Levitt is participating in an educational capacity. Questions involving your individual circumstances should be discussed with an appropriately qualified investment, financial or tax professional.
We cannot guarantee that every question submitted before or during the webinar will be answered, but we will address as many as time permits.
Disclaimer: Democrats Abroad France cannot provide individual tax advice. We are not tax lawyers, accountants or advisers. Please consult a professional tax adviser/accountant/return preparer when addressing your personal tax matters. We recommend the IRS Tax Return Preparer Directory to find a service provider who meets your needs and budget, though buyers should always beware. Democrats Abroad France suggests Americans abroad in need of tax advice consult the IRS Tax Return Preparer Directory to find an advisor or tax return preparer near you or providing online services: https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf
All proceeds from this event will be used in DA France’s Get Out The Vote efforts in the critical 2026 elections, mobilizing our voters and maximizing our turnout from France.
WHEN
Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 07:00 PM Paris Time
WHERE
This is a virtual event. See the event description above or RSVP for virtual participation options.
CONTACT
Democrats Abroad France
[email protected]