Last Updated on 21st October 2026
Whether you have always dreamed of retiring to a French chateau, would like a Parisian apartment or are planning to relocate with your family, purchasing a property overseas involves different legal, tax and practical considerations from buying a home in the UK.
It is important to understand the purchase process, the associated acquisition costs and the ongoing expenses involved in owning a French property, whether it will be used as a main residence, second home or rental property.
In 2026, 57.3% of French households own their main residence. The French residential property market is well established, but the buying process, taxation and legal requirements differ considerably from those in the UK.
General Guidance on Buying a Property in France
The French property market offers considerable variety, from apartments in major cities to rural properties, family homes and coastal residences. Purchase prices and ongoing costs can differ substantially according to the region, municipality, neighbourhood and type of property.
Your first step is therefore to consider where you would like to live and what type of property suits your plans and budget. There can be a significant difference between purchasing a central apartment in Paris and a family property in a smaller city or rural area.
Many buyers choose to work with a local estate agent, or agent immobilier, when identifying and viewing suitable properties. Buyers should also consider practical factors such as transport connections, local services, schools, parking and any shared facilities or charges associated with the property.
- Before purchasing a residential property, buyers should review the Dossier de Diagnostic Technique, or DDT, supplied by the seller. This is a collection of legally required property diagnostics that can include the property’s energy performance, asbestos, lead, gas and electrical installations, termites and environmental or natural risks, depending on the property and its location. In some circumstances, an additional energy audit may also be required.
- Once an offer has been accepted, the parties will commonly enter into a preliminary contract such as a compromis de vente. This sets out the terms of the proposed purchase and may include conditions that must be satisfied before completion, such as obtaining mortgage finance where applicable.
- A non-professional buyer of residential property generally benefits from a statutory 10-day withdrawal period following notification or receipt of the preliminary contract. A deposit may also be requested under the preliminary agreement, with the amount and treatment of that deposit set out in the contract.
- A French notaire oversees the legal conveyancing process, including the necessary searches and checks relating to matters such as title and ownership. Once the relevant conditions and formalities have been completed, the final acte authentique de vente is signed and the property ownership is transferred to the buyer.
The DDT provides important information about specified aspects of a property, but it should not be confused with a comprehensive structural or building survey. Buyers may therefore wish to commission an independent survey or other specialist inspection, particularly for an older property or where there are concerns about its condition.
Buyers who are not confident reading legal documents in French should consider obtaining appropriate independent legal or translation support before signing a binding agreement.
The Costs of Homeownership in France – Including Property Tax
French property prices vary considerably according to region, city, neighbourhood and property type. Paris and other high-demand locations can command substantially higher prices than many regional or rural areas, so prospective buyers should use current local market information when setting their budget rather than relying on national price averages.
The purchase price is also only one part of the overall cost of buying a property. Buyers should budget for acquisition taxes and charges, the regulated remuneration of the notaire, administrative expenses and, where applicable, mortgage-related costs.
For purchases subject to the normal property transfer-tax regime, the taxe de publicité foncière and associated transfer taxes vary according to the department. For qualifying transactions completed between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2028, departments can apply a temporary higher departmental rate. Where the higher rate applies, the combined transfer-tax rate can reach approximately 6.32%. Where the temporary increase does not apply, the corresponding normal combined rate is generally around 5.81%.
The temporary departmental increase does not apply to qualifying first-time buyers where the property is intended to become their main residence, subject to the applicable conditions.
Certain qualifying new-property transactions instead benefit from a reduced land-registration tax rate of approximately 0.715%. The precise treatment depends on the nature of the transaction rather than simply the age of the property.
What are commonly referred to as “notary fees” are more accurately described as acquisition costs. A substantial proportion of these amounts consists of taxes and administrative charges collected through the notaire rather than the notaire’s own remuneration. As a broad guide, total acquisition costs are commonly around 7% to 8% of the purchase price for an existing property and around 2% to 3% for qualifying new property. The actual amount will depend on the transaction and its location.
Property owners should also allow for ongoing local taxation. Taxe foncière is generally payable by the property owner and is calculated using the property’s cadastral rental value together with the applicable rates set by the relevant local authorities. There is therefore no single nationwide percentage that can reliably be applied to a property’s market value.
The taxe d’habitation on main residences was abolished from 1 January 2023. However, it continues to apply to furnished second homes and certain other properties that are not used as a main residence. The amount depends on the property’s cadastral rental value and locally applicable rates, and additional charges can apply in some municipalities.
Requirements for Expatriates Buying a French Property
For British and other international buyers, purchasing property in France and obtaining the right to live in France are separate matters. Owning a French property does not itself provide residency rights or change the immigration rules that apply to the owner.
Property ownership can also have implications for succession, estate planning and taxation. These issues can be particularly important for international owners whose assets, beneficiaries or existing estate arrangements are located across more than one country. Appropriate legal and tax advice should therefore be considered alongside the property purchase.
British nationals travelling as visitors are generally subject to the Schengen short-stay rules, which permit stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area. Purchasing a home in France does not extend this allowance.
A British national intending to live in France for more than 90 days will generally need an appropriate French long-stay visa or other qualifying immigration status, depending on their circumstances.
Under the general long-term residence route, a non-EU national who has lived legally and continuously in France for at least five years may be able to apply for a long-term EU resident card, subject to the applicable residence, financial, healthcare and integration requirements. Different rules and routes can apply depending on the individual’s nationality, family circumstances and immigration status.
We hope this guide provides a useful overview of the process of buying a property in France, the acquisition costs to consider and some of the ongoing financial implications of French property ownership.
If you would like to discuss how a move to France or the purchase of a French property could fit within your wider financial arrangements, our qualified cross-border advisers can help you review your pensions, investments and longer-term financial planning. You can find further information about moving to France and our investment services, or contact our team in Bordeaux for further guidance.
You may also find our free Guide to Expat Taxes in France and our France Residency Guide useful.
* Reviewed October 2026
