Foreign investment: France retains its top position in Europe

With 852 investment projects identified in 2025, France has confirmed its ability to attract international investors in a global context marked by the economic slowdown, geopolitical tensions and declining foreign investment on a global level as well as in Europe.

France notably ranks first among European countries for industrial investments, with 354 projects identified in the sector in 2025. Foreign investments also generated nearly 28,000 jobs in the country, primarily in the logistics and industrial sectors.

 The survey also underlines France’s buoyancy in several strategic sectors. Investments related to artificial intelligence increased by 26% compared to 2024, while projects in the sectors of defence, low-carbon energy, transport, logistics, and software and information services also saw strong growth.

Structural assets throughout the country  

This attractiveness is based on structural assets recognized by foreign investors, including France’s high-quality infrastructure, capacity for innovation, rich talent pool, the availability of low-carbon energy and the size of the French internal market.

The survey also highlights the contributions of French regions to this momentum. Four French regions are ranked among the fifteen most attractive European destinations for foreign investment: Île-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Grand Est and Hauts-de-France.

According to EY, 38% of international business leaders surveyed considered France the most attractive country in Europe, ahead of Germany and the United Kingdom.

Photo : Judith Litvine/MEAE