France's balance of payments - 2026-04
Published on 5th of June 2026
In April 2026, the current account deficit (seasonally and working-day adjusted data) stood at EUR 0.2 billion (following a deficit of EUR 0.9 billion in March). The goods trade deficit fell slightly to EUR 3.9 billion, down from EUR 4.1 billion in March. The trade in goods excluding energy generated a surplus of EUR 0.6 billion in April, while the energy bill remained high and increased (EUR 4.5 billion in April compared with EUR 4.2 billion in March). The surplus in trade in services rose to EUR 4.5 billion (following EUR 3.9 billion in March). Over 12 months, the current account balance stood at EUR -6.6 billion, compared with EUR -2.6 billion a year earlier.
In April 2026 (cumulative data over 12 months) the financial account recorded net capital inflows of EUR 0.6 billion (compared with net inflows of EUR 32.4 billion in April 2025). Portfolio investment recorded net inflows of EUR 72.1 billion, compared with net outflows of EUR 90.1 billion a year earlier. Direct investment and financial derivatives, meanwhile, recorded net outflows of EUR 34.7 billion and EUR 39.0 billion respectively (following net inflows of EUR 25.7 billion and EUR 31.2 billion in April 2025). Finally, net inflows from other investments were limited to EUR 2.5 billion (following net inflows of EUR 70.2 billion in April 2025).
In April 2026 (cumulative data over 12 months) the financial account recorded net capital inflows of EUR 0.6 billion (compared with net inflows of EUR 32.4 billion in April 2025). Portfolio investment recorded net inflows of EUR 72.1 billion, compared with net outflows of EUR 90.1 billion a year earlier. Direct investment and financial derivatives, meanwhile, recorded net outflows of EUR 34.7 billion and EUR 39.0 billion respectively (following net inflows of EUR 25.7 billion and EUR 31.2 billion in April 2025). Finally, net inflows from other investments were limited to EUR 2.5 billion (following net inflows of EUR 70.2 billion in April 2025).
Current account balance and its components
(billion euros, seasonally and working-day adjusted data)
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(billion euros, seasonally and working-day adjusted data)
| Cumulated figures (over 12 months) | ||||
| (EUR billions) | Apr- 2025 | Apr- 2026 | Mar- 2026 | Apr- 2026 |
| Current account | -2.6 | -6.6 | -0.9 | -0.2 |
| Goods | -64.3 | -50.7 | -4.1 | -3.9 |
| Energy | -48.4 | -38.3 | -4.2 | -4.5 |
| Goods excl. Energy | -15.9 | -12.4 | 0.0 | 0.6 |
| Services | 59.0 | 48.7 | 3.9 | 4.5 |
| Travel | 16.8 | 21.7 | 1.7 | 2.1 |
| Transport services | 5.5 | -0.2 | -0.1 | 0.2 |
| Professional and management consulting services,
Research and development and Technical services , trade-related and other business services |
9.0 | 11.0 | 1.3 | 0.8 |
| Other services | 27.8 | 16.2 | 1.0 | 1.4 |
| Income | 2.6 | -4.6 | -0.7 | -0.8 |
Note : Non-cumulated figures
Source and production : BANQUE DE FRANCE - DGSEI
Source and production : BANQUE DE FRANCE - DGSEI
Balance on financial transactions and its components (billions of euros, not adjusted data)![]()
| Cumulated figures (over 12 months) | ||||
| (EUR billions) | Apr- 2025 | Apr- 2026 | Mar- 2026 | Apr- 2026 |
| Financial account | -32.4 | -0.6 | 11.8 | 12.9 |
| Direct investment | -25.7 | 34.7 | -0.6 | 10.1 |
| Abroad | 71.8 | 52.1 | 3.0 | 15.0 |
| In France | 97.6 | 17.5 | 3.6 | 4.9 |
| Portfolio investment | 90.1 | -72.1 | -85.4 | 28.3 |
| Assets | 280.5 | 241.4 | -27.6 | 56.8 |
| Liabilities | 190.4 | 313.4 | 57.7 | 28.5 |
| Financial derivatives | -31.2 | 39.0 | -10.1 | 7.1 |
| Other investment | -70.2 | -2.5 | 107.9 | -32.7 |
| Reserve assets | 4.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Note : Cumulated figures
Source and production : BANQUE DE FRANCE - DGSEI
Source and production : BANQUE DE FRANCE - DGSEI
Methodological notes
On the Banque de France website a detailed methodological note on balance of payments and international investment position can be found. Highlights on specific topics are also available: foreign direct investments (English and French), international tourism in France (English and French), business services (English and French), net foreign assets (English and French).
Download the PDF version of the document
EN_Stat_Info_France_s_balance_of_payment_202604.pdf
Updated on the 4th of June 2026