Private Jet Travelers Face Hefty New Tax in France

Travelers on private jets flying from French airports will soon face a new tax that could nearly double the cost of their charter.

According to Aviation International News and Private Jet Card Comparisons, those flying on private charters from French airports will now have to pay between $218 and $2,200 in new taxes.

The tax, first proposed in October 2024 by former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, is one of several measures France is rolling out in 2025 as part of the country’s new austerity push.

The taxes will be based on flight distance and aircraft type. They do not include the 10% VAT added to all domestic flights within France, a tax that does not apply to international departures.

Private jet operators will be responsible for collecting the tax and could face heavy fines if they fail to do so.

The tax could have major implications for those chartering flights within or out of France. Aviation International News reports that a charter from Bordeaux to Marseille, then to Lyon before returning to Bordeaux, would add about €7,500 to a €12,000 charter.

According to the European Business Aviation Association, the tax could cost France up to €120 billion in foreign investments and 104,000 jobs by 2030 if private jet travelers change their plans to avoid the added cost.