Torrenting in France in 2025: What You Need to Know

From hit movies to live sporting events, torrenting is a free and easy way to enjoy all kinds of great content in France, but it does come with some risks.

Anytime you download torrents from strangers online, you need to protect yourself from bad actors looking to distribute malware to unsuspecting victims. You’ve also got to look out for copyright trolls trying to scam you.

Keep in mind that downloading copyrighted content is illegal in France and can lead to fines or criminal charges for the worst offenders. While France is known for its strong protection of Internet freedom, French law allows Internet service providers (ISPs) to track your online activities under certain circumstances, including suspicion of illegal torrenting activity.

If you want to torrent in France safely and privately, your best bet is to use a reputable virtual private network (VPN) to secure your Internet connection. Keep reading to learn more about the best VPNs for torrenting in France.

Key takeaways

1. Downloading torrents is a great way to access lots of free content online.
2. Torrenting copyrighted material is against the law in France and the authorities work with Internet providers to track down these illegal activities.
3. Torrent sites are common grounds for spreading malicious software embedded in files.
4. A quality VPN, like ExpressVPN, has the software necessary to ensure safe torrenting.

Torrenting in France: Copyright laws, HADOPI and Arcom

While France fiercely defends Internet freedom, it also has strong legislation in place to protect the rights of copyright holders, including the right to monitor online activities to prevent illegal torrenting of copyrighted materials.

The regulation began with the HADOPI laws established in 2009, which prohibit unauthorized downloading or seeding of copyrighted digital media.

In 2022, HADOPI was replaced with Arcom, a broader regulatory authority designed to oversee all laws related to digital communication in France. This organization is known to be more aggressive and efficient at pursuing illegal downloading of copyrighted content.

Do ISPs monitor torrenting activities in France?

Yes. There is some degree of ISP monitoring of torrenting activities in France, but it’s not as bad as it initially sounds. The laws in France also protect individual privacy and will only permit ISP monitoring for legitimate reasons, for example, after an accusation of illegal activity.

The majority of monitoring in France is completed by law firms, record labels, and TV producers using apps like ScanEye to get the IP addresses of individuals who are seeding or downloading copyrighted content on sites like BitTorrent.

Legal risks of torrenting in France

Torrenting copyrighted materials is illegal in France and could result in warnings, fines, or legal action. If you are caught torrenting once, you’ll most likely get a warning, while repeat offenses are more likely to incur fines or legal action.

Fees for downloading copyrighted files range from €150-1,500 for minor violations. Large-scale piracy could incur fines of up to €300,000, with the most severe offenders potentially facing up to 3 years in prison.

You are also at risk of civil lawsuits from copyright holders who have the right to pursue financial compensation for copyright infringement.

Tips on staying safe when torrenting in France

The first step in torrenting safely is to abide by French law and avoid illegally downloading copyrighted files. You also need to protect yourself from online threats like copyright trolls and malicious software. Here’s how to stay safe:

Use an anti-virus. When you download content from strangers, there’s a risk that malware, adware, stalkerware, or other dangerous content has been embedded in the file. I highly recommend protecting yourself with reputable anti-virus software.

Use a VPN. A quality VPN provider will hide your true IP address and send your data through an encrypted tunnel. This protects your online privacy and makes it impossible to decipher your online data, including what content you are downloading. This protects you from ISP monitoring, government surveillance, and copyright trolls.

3 best VPNs for torrenting in France

To help you keep your search short and simple, here are my recommendations for the best VPN providers for safe torrenting in France. Each ensures a secure Internet connection, fast downloads, and reliable service. I selected services with a range of features and prices so you can find the perfect VPN for your budget and needs.

1. ExpressVPN

With top-notch security, lightning-fast speeds, and an easy-to-use interface, ExpressVPN is the ultimate tool for safe and efficient torrenting.

Features: I’m a big fan of all the enhanced security features that ExpressVPN offers. These include an ad-blocker, tracker-blocker, malware protection, and port forwarding, giving me peace of mind while torrenting. Plus, I get access to convenient extras like a password manager and split tunneling. ExpressVPN’s 3,000+ servers in 100 countries give me plenty of options for secure connections in torrenting-friendly countries.

Speed: ExpressVPN is incredibly fast, which makes it perfect for torrenting. I kept a whopping 96% of my baseline download speed when connected to a local server during my tests, allowing me to download torrents safely and quickly.

Privacy and Security: ExpressVPN is built with privacy in mind. It comes with AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, a verified no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, a Kill Switch, leak protection, and a range of secure tunneling protocols. With these features, I can download files from torrent sites without worrying about data breaches or exposure.

Performance: ExpressVPN isn’t just for torrenting. I use it for all of my Internet activities, including browsing, gaming, and streaming, and it performs flawlessly every time.

Streaming: Streaming movies and TV shows from around the world without geographical restrictions getting in your way is easy with ExpressVPN. Whether it’s Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, or other popular streaming services, I can enjoy my favorite shows and movies from any region without relying on illegal downloads.

Compatibility: ExpressVPN is compatible with almost all common devices, from smartphones to smart TVs. I can connect up to 8 devices simultaneously using its intuitive apps for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and macOS.

Pricing: The best value comes with the 12-month plan at $6.67/month, which includes 3 bonus months, 24/7 customer support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s not the cheapest plan out there, but it’s a solid deal for premium service.

2. NordVPN

If you’re looking for a premium VPN provider for torrenting in France, NordVPN is a fantastic choice. It offers strong security, outstanding performance, and great features at a reasonable price.

Features: NordVPN is packed with useful extras, and some of my favorites include Threat Protection Pro, the Dark Web Monitor, and dedicated IP addresses. With a massive network of 7,100+ servers in 118 countries, finding a fast and reliable connection for torrenting is never a problem.

Speed: NordVPN doesn’t disappoint when it comes to Internet speed. During my tests, it maintained an impressive97% of its baseline download speed on local connections. This means I can count on quick file sharing every time!

Privacy and Security: NordVPN keeps torrenting activities private and secure even in heavily monitored environments. It uses AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, secure tunneling protocols, an automatic Kill Switch, and leak protection. I never have to worry about my data being exposed to copyright trolls, French ISPs, or hackers while I torrent.

Performance: NordVPN offers fast and stable connections, making it perfect not just for torrenting but also for streaming, gaming, and general browsing.

Streaming: If you’re looking to access great content on popular streaming websites, NordVPN can unblock geo-restricted content on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more. It’s a great way to enjoy tons of titles from around the world without resorting to risky or illegal file sharing.

Compatibility: NordVPN’s apps are simple to use and available for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and macOS. I also love that I can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, so I can enjoy safe Internet access on all of my devices under one account.

Pricing: NordVPN is a great value at just $3.39/month on the 2-year basic plan, which includes 4 free months, 24/7 live chat support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s affordable without compromising on quality.

3. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best budget option for torrenting in France. With strong security, user-friendly apps, plenty of features, and unbeatable pricing, it’s a top pick for anyone looking to torrent safely and affordably. The icing on the cake? You can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously on each account.

Features: As a budget VPN with premium features, Surfshark really stands out. I love its CleanWeb suite, which blocks ads, trackers, and malware. It also comes with dark web monitoring, an option for dedicated IP addresses, and more. Its server network includes over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, giving me plenty of options for a fast and secure connection.

Speed: While Surfshark isn’t quite as fast as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, it still holds its own. During my tests, it maintained 83% of its baseline speed on local servers, which was enough for downloading large torrent files efficiently.

Privacy and Security: Surfshark ensures secure torrenting with AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, secure tunneling protocols, an automatic Kill Switch, and robust leak protection to keep my online activities private and secure.

Performance: Surfshark isn’t just for file sharing. It’s a versatile VPN that supports all kinds of Internet activities, including smooth browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Streaming: With Surfshark, I can unlock geo-restricted content on all my favorite streaming websites. Whether it’s Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, or others. It’s a great way to access thousands of titles without worrying about online piracy.

Compatibility: My favorite Surfshark perk is the ability to connect unlimited devices simultaneously on a single account. Its apps are intuitive and work seamlessly on iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Pricing: Surfshark is a fabulous deal at just $1.99/month for the 2-year starter plan, which includes 4 free months, 24/7 support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s the perfect choice for anyone on a budget.

FAQ

Are torrents illegal in France?

No. Torrenting in France is completely legal as long as there are no copyright infringements.

Can you get a fine for torrenting in France?

Yes. Sharing files without obtaining the proper copyrights is illegal in France, and France is serious in its fight against online piracy.

The first time you are caught torrenting illegal torrent files, you’ll likely get a warning, but repeat offenses can lead to fines between €150-1,500.

Serious violations of copyright laws, such as large-scale seeding and piracy, have significant legal risk with potential fines of up to €300,000 and up to 3 years in prison.

Can you torrent in France?

Can you torrent in France?

Yes. You can torrent in France as long as you limit yourself to legal torrenting activity.

Sharing files that are copyrighted is illegal in France and can lead to fines or criminal charges for serious offenders.

Can you be tracked when torrenting?

Yes. French ISPs will work with the government if they have information that someone is engaging in illegal torrenting practices. In addition, law firms, record labels, and TV producers use apps like ScanEye to get the IP addresses of individuals who are seeding or downloading copyrighted materials on sites like BitTorrent.

Conclusion

If you want to download torrents in France safely and privately, you’re going to need a quality virtual private network (VPN). A good VPN protects your online privacy against ISP tracking and government surveillance. It’s also an important line of defense against copyright trolls and downloading unwanted malware when torrenting files from strangers.

My favorite VPN for torrenting is ExpressVPN. I love the VPN’s robust encryption, lightning-fast speeds, and easy-to-use apps. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can give it a try risk-free!