Best life insurance policies 2026
Comparison of online life insurance policies: management fees, euro fund, unit-linked funds, minimum contribution. Editorial ranking scored out of 100 according to our methodology.
- Online life insurance policies generally advertise 0% entry (contribution) fees and reduced management fees, often in the region of 0.50% to 0.75% per year on unit-linked funds depending on the policy.
- The euro fund secures the capital but yields little; unit-linked funds aim for higher returns, with a risk of capital loss.
- After 8 years, an annual allowance on gains of €4,600 (€9,200 for a couple) applies on withdrawal; gains remain subject to social security levies (17.2%).
- ⚠️ This is not personalised advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance; check the fees and guarantees with the insurer.
Life insurance remains the French people’s favourite investment, and online policies have driven down the fees that used to eat into returns: most now advertise 0% entry fees and reduced management fees on unit-linked funds. But choosing a policy is not just about chasing last year’s performance — past performance is no guarantee of future performance — it is the balance of fees versus diversity of investments that makes the difference over time. This comparison is an editorial ranking scored out of 100 using the same grid for all policies; it does not replace a personalised study of your needs and your tax situation.
Our methodology
Each option is scored out of 100 against weighted criteria, using the same grid for all.
| Criterion | What we look at | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | Management, arbitrage and entry (contribution) fees | 30 |
| Choice of investments | Euro fund, unit-linked funds, ETFs, REITs (SCPI) | 25 |
| Performance & soundness | Euro fund track record, insurer soundness | 20 |
| Accessibility | Minimum contribution, managed portfolio, usability | 15 |
| Service | Quality of support and documents | 10 |
The 2026 ranking
Linxea Spirit 2
Placement-direct Vie
Fortuneo Vie
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Comparison table
| Policy | Entry fee | Investments | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linxea Spirit 2 | 0% | ETFs + REITs (SCPI) | 92 |
| Placement-direct Vie | 0% | Euro fund + unit-linked | 89 |
| Fortuneo Vie | 0% | Euro fund + ETFs | 85 |
Frequently asked questions
Life insurance: euro fund or unit-linked funds?
The euro fund guarantees the capital but offers a modest return. Unit-linked funds aim for a higher return in exchange for a risk of capital loss. Many savers combine the two depending on their horizon and risk tolerance. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
Which fees should you look at first?
Annual management fees, charged each year on the outstanding balance, weigh the most over the long term (often in the region of 0.50% to 0.75% on unit-linked funds for an online policy, depending on the policy). Also check entry (contribution) fees, ideally 0%, and arbitrage fees.
What is the taxation after 8 years?
After 8 years of holding, an annual allowance on gains of €4,600 (€9,200 for a couple) applies on withdrawal. Gains are then subject to the flat-rate levy (7.5% or 12.8% depending on the amount of premiums, with a €150,000 threshold) and to social security levies (17.2%). Only the gains are taxed, never the capital paid in.
🗓️ Update history
- 05/08/2026 — Verification of players and facts, 2026 update.
- 10/07/2026 — Updated 2026 fee schedules.
- 20/02/2026 — Comparison created.
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