FIRE Calculator: Financial Independence

Calculate your FIRE number, the capital needed to live off your investments, and estimate how many years until you reach financial independence.

Free simulator

Calculator FIREFIRE

Calculate your path to financial independence and early retirement

Your situation

You save your net salary (after income tax + social charges) then invest in a brokerage account.

Annual expenses (€)

= 3 k€ / month

Current portfolio (€)

Monthly savings (€)

Assumptions

Expected return: 7%

Withdrawal rate: 4%

The 4% rule: withdraw 4% of your portfolio per year without depleting it

🇫🇷 Include Flat Tax

Tax rate: 30.0%

French PFU: 31.4% since 2026 (12.8% income tax + 18.6% social)

Your results

FIRE number

1,3 M€

Years to FIRE

27 years

Progress

3.9%

Passive income

3 k€/m

Journey to FIRE50 k€ / 1,3 M€

Personal vs Holding comparison

For the same gross income, a holding invests more each year because corporate tax (15-25%) is lower than income tax + charges (~50%).

Years saved

−4 years

Annual gross income (€)

Income tax + charges (personal) : 50%

Average drag rate between gross and net for an employee (~50% standard).

Personal

Monthly invested3 k€/m

Years to FIRE16 years

Target capital1,3 M€

Holding company (SAS)

Monthly invested5 k€/m

Years to FIRE12 years

Target capital1,3 M€

Annual corporate tax−16 k€/year

Note : Simplified model: buy-and-hold with no annual tax on unrealized gains, exit at PFU 30% in both cases. A holding implies accounting fees, dependency on company perpetuity, and complex exit taxation (sale, transmission). Consult an expert for your real case.

💰

Tax impact

With a 30.0% flat tax, you need to accumulate 386 k€ more to achieve the same net income.

💡 Optimize with a PEA (tax-exempt after 5 years) or life insurance (allowances after 8 years).

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💾 Save this simulation

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Different types of FIRE

Lean FIRE

Frugal lifestyle with minimal expenses (70% of normal budget)

Target:900 k€

Expenses:25 k€/year

5.6% achieved

FIRE

Maintain your current lifestyle

Target:1,3 M€

Expenses:36 k€/year

3.9% achieved

Fat FIRE

Comfortable lifestyle with higher expenses (150% of budget)

Target:1,9 M€

Expenses:54 k€/year

2.6% achieved

Coast FIRE

Stop saving and let your capital grow on its own

Target:643 k€

Expenses:18 k€/year

7.8% achieved

What is FIRE?

Financial Independence, Retire Early

The FIRE movement aims to achieve financial independence as early as possible, allowing you to leave salaried work well before the traditional retirement age. The idea is to save and invest aggressively to build enough wealth to live on passive income.

Financial Independence (FI)

Having enough assets to cover your expenses without depending on a job. Your investments generate enough income to maintain your lifestyle.

Retire Early (RE)

Leaving salaried work earlier than the legal age (62-67). Some achieve FIRE as early as 30-40 depending on their savings rate.

The 4% Rule

FIRE number formula:

FIRE = Expenses × 25

Ex: €36,000/year × 25 = €900,000 (before taxes)

25x

Expenses multiplier

Safe withdrawal rate

30+

Years of sustainable retirement

Understanding the Different Types of FIRE

Each FIRE variant corresponds to a different lifestyle and goals. Discover which one suits you best.

Lean FIRE

Minimalist

Lean FIRE is the most frugal approach to the FIRE movement. It involves living on a minimal budget (often $25,000-35,000/year) to achieve financial independence as quickly as possible. This strategy requires adopting a minimalist lifestyle, drastically reducing expenses, and focusing on essentials.

Advantages

• Achievable faster (10-15 years vs 20-25 years)
• Requires less capital ($500,000-750,000)
• Develops resilience and frugal skills

Considerations

• Little margin for emergencies or inflation
• Can become restrictive over the long term
• Difficult if family or health situation changes

Ideal for: Naturally frugal individuals, singles or childless couples, living in low cost-of-living areas, or those with inexpensive hobbies.

FIRE (Regular)

Balanced

Classic FIRE aims to maintain your current lifestyle without needing to work. It's the most popular approach as it offers a good balance between saving sacrifice and future comfort. The goal is typically to have 25 times your annual expenses (4% rule).

Advantages

• Balance between savings effort and quality of life
• Reasonable safety margin for emergencies
• Maintain lifestyle without major compromises

Considerations

• Longer time to achieve (15-20 years)
• Larger capital required ($900,000-1,500,000)
• Can seem like a distant and discouraging goal

Ideal for: Most people seeking financial independence while maintaining a comfortable and balanced lifestyle.

Fat FIRE

Premium

Fat FIRE aims for a comfortable or even luxurious lifestyle in early retirement. Fat FIRE advocates want to travel regularly, live in spacious homes, enjoy expensive hobbies, and never have to budget. This requires very significant capital (30-40 times annual expenses).

Advantages

• Total financial freedom without any constraints
• Large safety margin against market downturns
• Ability to financially support loved ones

Considerations

• Requires very high income or long career
• Long time to achieve (20-30 years or more)
• Risk of indefinitely postponing the goal

Ideal for: High earners (executives, entrepreneurs, professionals) or those with high spending needs (large families, expensive cities, costly hobbies).

Coast FIRE

Progressive

Coast FIRE is a unique approach: you save intensively early in your career until you reach a capital that, thanks to compound interest, will naturally reach your FIRE goal by traditional retirement age. Then you can 'coast' (continue working just to cover current expenses, often part-time).

Advantages

• Less pressure to save massively throughout life
• Flexibility to change careers or reduce work hours
• Enjoy life during the accumulation phase

Considerations

• Heavily depends on market returns
• Needs to start early (ideally before 35)
• Uncertainty about exact full retirement age

Ideal for: Young professionals who want financial security without sacrificing the present, or those wanting to switch to a less lucrative but more fulfilling career.

FIRE Types Comparison Table

FIRE Type	Target Multiple	Lifestyle	Time to Reach	Risk Level
Lean FIRE	17-20x	Frugal	Fastest	Medium
FIRE	25x	Comfortable	Moderate	Low
Fat FIRE	30-40x	Luxurious	Longest	Very Low
Coast FIRE	Variable	Flexible	Phased	Varies

Real FIRE journey examples

Solo Developer

28 years old

Salary:55 000 €/year

Expenses:24 000 €/year

Portfolio:45 000 €

Savings:2 000 €/month

FIRE in:12 years

DINK Couple

35 years old

Salary:90 000 €/year

Expenses:42 000 €/year

Portfolio:180 000 €

Savings:2 500 €/month

FIRE in:10 years

Entrepreneur

40 years old

Salary:120 000 €/year

Expenses:48 000 €/year

Portfolio:400 000 €

Savings:4 000 €/month

FIRE in:6 years

6 tips to accelerate your FIRE

Increase your savings rate: aim for 50%+ of your income. It's the most powerful lever.

Reduce fixed expenses: housing, car, subscriptions. Every euro saved counts double.

Invest in diversified low-cost ETFs (e.g., MSCI World, S&P 500).

Increase your income: negotiate salary, freelance, side business.

Optimize taxes: use tax-advantaged accounts to reduce tax impact.

Automate your savings: automatic transfers as soon as salary arrives.

What to do after FIRE?

Travel

Explore the world at your own pace

Passion projects

Launch that idea you care about

Family

More time with loved ones

Learning

New skills and hobbies

Ready to track your path to FIRE?

Create a free account to automatically track your progress towards financial independence with all your assets.

Get started for free

What is the FIRE movement?

FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. This movement, born in the US in the 1990s and popularized by the book Your Money or Your Life, is based on a simple principle: save aggressively (50 to 70% of income) to accumulate enough capital to live off investments well before the legal retirement age.

Lean FIRE

Frugal lifestyle, expenses < €25,000/year. Target capital: €625,000.

Classic FIRE

Moderate expenses, €30,000-50,000/year. Target capital: €750,000-1.25M.

Fat FIRE

High comfort maintained, €60,000+/year. Target capital: €1.5M and above.

How to calculate your FIRE number?

The FIRE number is the total capital you need to accumulate to live off your investments indefinitely. It is calculated using the 4% rule, from the Trinity Study: you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio each year without ever depleting it over 30 years (under historical US market conditions).

FIRE number formula:

FIRE Number = Annual expenses × 25

Example: if your annual expenses are €36,000 (€3,000/month), your FIRE number is 36,000 × 25 = €900,000.

FIRE in France: tax specificities

In France, the Flat Tax (PFU) of 30% applies to capital gains and dividends. This reduces the effective withdrawal rate compared to US simulations. Our calculator integrates this tax treatment to give you a realistic result.

🏦 PEA: exempt from capital gains tax after 5 years (excluding social charges 17.2%)
📋 Life insurance: tax advantage after 8 years, annual allowance €4,600
📊 Securities account: subject to 30% flat tax on dividends and capital gains
🔑 The 3.3% rule: prefer a 3.3% withdrawal rate (vs 4%) to account for French taxation

Frequently asked questions about FIRE

What savings rate should I target to reach FIRE?▼

The higher your savings rate, the faster you reach FIRE. With a 10% rate, it takes about 43 years. With 50%, about 17 years. With 70%, about 8 years. Our simulator calculates the precise timeline based on your situation.

Is the 4% rule safe in France?▼

The 4% rule has been validated on US markets over the last 100 years. In France, with PFU 30% taxation, it is advisable to use a withdrawal rate of 3 to 3.5% for more safety. Our calculator integrates this adaptation.

Can you reach FIRE on an average French salary?▼

Yes, it is possible but requires discipline and time. With a net salary of €2,500/month and a savings rate of 40% (€1,000/month), investing at 7% annually, you reach a FIRE capital of €750,000 (€30,000/year in expenses) in about 20-22 years.

Track your path to FIRE

Track the evolution of your wealth, your real savings rate and progress towards your FIRE goal.

Try for free Investment guide

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Free simulator

Calculator FIREFIRE

Calculate your path to financial independence and early retirement

Your situation

You save your net salary (after income tax + social charges) then invest in a brokerage account.

Annual expenses (€)

= 3 k€ / month

Current portfolio (€)

Monthly savings (€)

Assumptions

Expected return: 7%

Withdrawal rate: 4%

The 4% rule: withdraw 4% of your portfolio per year without depleting it

🇫🇷 Include Flat Tax

Tax rate: 30.0%

French PFU: 31.4% since 2026 (12.8% income tax + 18.6% social)

Your results

FIRE number

1,3 M€

Years to FIRE

27 years

Progress

3.9%

Passive income

3 k€/m

Journey to FIRE50 k€ / 1,3 M€

Personal vs Holding comparison

For the same gross income, a holding invests more each year because corporate tax (15-25%) is lower than income tax + charges (~50%).

Years saved

−4 years

Annual gross income (€)

Income tax + charges (personal) : 50%

Average drag rate between gross and net for an employee (~50% standard).

Personal

Monthly invested3 k€/m

Years to FIRE16 years

Target capital1,3 M€

Holding company (SAS)

Monthly invested5 k€/m

Years to FIRE12 years

Target capital1,3 M€

Annual corporate tax−16 k€/year

💰

Tax impact

With a 30.0% flat tax, you need to accumulate 386 k€ more to achieve the same net income.

💡 Optimize with a PEA (tax-exempt after 5 years) or life insurance (allowances after 8 years).

Free account

💾 Save this simulation

Create your free account to retrieve your simulations and track your wealth in real time

✓ 100% free
✓ No credit card
✓ Cancel anytime

Create my free account

Different types of FIRE

Lean FIRE

Frugal lifestyle with minimal expenses (70% of normal budget)

Target:900 k€

Expenses:25 k€/year

5.6% achieved

FIRE

Maintain your current lifestyle

Target:1,3 M€

Expenses:36 k€/year

3.9% achieved

Fat FIRE

Comfortable lifestyle with higher expenses (150% of budget)

Target:1,9 M€

Expenses:54 k€/year

2.6% achieved

Coast FIRE

Stop saving and let your capital grow on its own

Target:643 k€

Expenses:18 k€/year

7.8% achieved

What is FIRE?

Financial Independence, Retire Early

Financial Independence (FI)

Having enough assets to cover your expenses without depending on a job. Your investments generate enough income to maintain your lifestyle.

Retire Early (RE)

Leaving salaried work earlier than the legal age (62-67). Some achieve FIRE as early as 30-40 depending on their savings rate.

The 4% Rule

FIRE number formula:

FIRE = Expenses × 25

Ex: €36,000/year × 25 = €900,000 (before taxes)

25x

Expenses multiplier

Safe withdrawal rate

30+

Years of sustainable retirement

Understanding the Different Types of FIRE

Each FIRE variant corresponds to a different lifestyle and goals. Discover which one suits you best.

Lean FIRE

Minimalist

Advantages

• Achievable faster (10-15 years vs 20-25 years)
• Requires less capital ($500,000-750,000)
• Develops resilience and frugal skills

Considerations

• Little margin for emergencies or inflation
• Can become restrictive over the long term
• Difficult if family or health situation changes

Ideal for: Naturally frugal individuals, singles or childless couples, living in low cost-of-living areas, or those with inexpensive hobbies.

FIRE (Regular)

Balanced

Advantages

• Balance between savings effort and quality of life
• Reasonable safety margin for emergencies
• Maintain lifestyle without major compromises

Considerations

• Longer time to achieve (15-20 years)
• Larger capital required ($900,000-1,500,000)
• Can seem like a distant and discouraging goal

Ideal for: Most people seeking financial independence while maintaining a comfortable and balanced lifestyle.

Fat FIRE

Premium

Advantages

• Total financial freedom without any constraints
• Large safety margin against market downturns
• Ability to financially support loved ones

Considerations

• Requires very high income or long career
• Long time to achieve (20-30 years or more)
• Risk of indefinitely postponing the goal

Ideal for: High earners (executives, entrepreneurs, professionals) or those with high spending needs (large families, expensive cities, costly hobbies).

Coast FIRE

Progressive

Advantages

• Less pressure to save massively throughout life
• Flexibility to change careers or reduce work hours
• Enjoy life during the accumulation phase

Considerations

• Heavily depends on market returns
• Needs to start early (ideally before 35)
• Uncertainty about exact full retirement age

Ideal for: Young professionals who want financial security without sacrificing the present, or those wanting to switch to a less lucrative but more fulfilling career.

FIRE Types Comparison Table

FIRE Type	Target Multiple	Lifestyle	Time to Reach	Risk Level
Lean FIRE	17-20x	Frugal	Fastest	Medium
FIRE	25x	Comfortable	Moderate	Low
Fat FIRE	30-40x	Luxurious	Longest	Very Low
Coast FIRE	Variable	Flexible	Phased	Varies

Real FIRE journey examples

Solo Developer

28 years old

Salary:55 000 €/year

Expenses:24 000 €/year

Portfolio:45 000 €

Savings:2 000 €/month

FIRE in:12 years

DINK Couple

35 years old

Salary:90 000 €/year

Expenses:42 000 €/year

Portfolio:180 000 €

Savings:2 500 €/month

FIRE in:10 years

Entrepreneur

40 years old

Salary:120 000 €/year

Expenses:48 000 €/year

Portfolio:400 000 €

Savings:4 000 €/month

FIRE in:6 years

6 tips to accelerate your FIRE

Increase your savings rate: aim for 50%+ of your income. It's the most powerful lever.

Reduce fixed expenses: housing, car, subscriptions. Every euro saved counts double.

Invest in diversified low-cost ETFs (e.g., MSCI World, S&P 500).

Increase your income: negotiate salary, freelance, side business.

Optimize taxes: use tax-advantaged accounts to reduce tax impact.

Automate your savings: automatic transfers as soon as salary arrives.

What to do after FIRE?

Travel

Explore the world at your own pace

Passion projects

Launch that idea you care about

Family

More time with loved ones

Learning

New skills and hobbies

Ready to track your path to FIRE?

Create a free account to automatically track your progress towards financial independence with all your assets.

Get started for free