Property for Sale in France: Paris, the Riviera and Rural Regions

• Houses in France: 9,385 listings, from farmhouses to village homes.
• Apartments: 4,843 listings.
• Land: 2,883 listings. Check the local plan (PLU) for buildability.
• Commercial property: 5,904 listings, including businesses and mixed-use buildings.
• Villas: 132 listings, mainly on the Riviera.

For lower-cost options, see cheap property in France or homes under €100,000, where renovation projects are common.

Yes. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership, and you do not need to be resident. The process is regulated and relatively safe.

1. Find a property and make an offer (offre d'achat), often through an agent.
2. Sign the compromis de vente (or promesse de vente). The buyer pays a deposit of about 5% to 10%. The buyer has a 10-day cooling-off period (délai de rétractation) after receiving the signed contract.
3. Conditions precedent. The contract is usually conditional on getting a mortgage (clause suspensive) and on planning checks.
4. Notary checks. The notary (notaire) verifies title, planning, liens and the neighbourhood plan, and calculates the taxes.
5. Sign the acte de vente with the notary, usually 2 to 3 months later, and pay the balance and fees.

Both parties can use the same notary, but buyers often appoint their own to speed up the process or to handle English-language needs.

Approximate figures. Verify with a notary or tax adviser.

French banks lend to non-residents but usually cap the loan at 70% to 80% of the price. Euro loans with fixed rates are standard, lenders look at debt-to-income ratios of around 35% and apply a mandatory borrower insurance. The mortgage clause in the contract protects you if the loan is refused. Compare options in our mortgage calculator and read the France financing guide.

Property ownership in France does not grant a right to reside. EU citizens can move freely. Non-EU citizens generally need a long-stay visa, and non-EU second-home owners can stay as visitors for up to 90 days in any 180 days. The long-stay visitor visa is available to those with sufficient income who do not work in France. France has no golden visa. See the France buying guide for more on the professionals involved.

Advantages

• Open to foreign buyers, with a trusted notary system.
• Diverse markets: Paris, the Riviera, the Alps, wine regions and rural France.
• Good transport links, healthcare and rental demand in cities and on the coasts.

Drawbacks

• Buying costs of around 7% to 8% on resales.
• Tax on capital gains for non-residents, and wealth tax on high-value property.
• Slower, document-heavy process and French-language contracts.
• Renovation costs and energy-performance rules on older stock.

Choose a region, then look at the France market analysis. For help with a purchase, contact our team.