These answers are general information, not legal or tax advice. For your own situation, speak to a notaire, avocat or tax adviser.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreign buyer purchase property in France?
Yes. Notaires de France publish regular studies of purchases by non-resident foreign buyers, who buy through the same steps as French buyers: offer, preliminary contract, ten-day withdrawal period and signature before a notaire. Our guide on how to buy property in France sets them out in order.
How much does it cost to buy, on top of the price?
The costs collected by the notaire, mostly transfer taxes, come to about 7% to 8% of the price for an existing home and about 2% to 3% for a new one, according to Notaires de France. Agency fees depend on the mandate and on who pays them. See our guide to buying costs.
Can I change my mind after signing the compromis?
Yes, within ten days. A non-professional buyer of a home may withdraw without giving a reason during the ten days that follow the day the signed contract is first presented by registered letter or handed over. No payment may be taken from the buyer during that period.
How long does it take from offer to keys?
It depends on the notaire's checks, on any mortgage and on the dates the parties agree. Our timeline from offer to keys gives the usual duration of each stage and what can delay it.
Can a non-resident get a French mortgage?
Often, yes, but banks apply the rules of the Haut Conseil de stabilité financière: total loan repayments should not exceed 35% of income and terms should not exceed 25 years, with limited exceptions. A bank is never obliged to lend. See our guide to mortgages for non-residents.
What documents must the seller provide?
A technical diagnostics file attached to the compromis: the energy performance diagnostic and, depending on the property, reports on lead, asbestos, termites, electricity, gas and sanitation, plus the état des risques. A flat adds the Carrez floor area. Our guide to property diagnostics explains each one.
Do I need to speak French?
The acte authentique is in French, so make sure you understand every document before you sign. A sworn translator can translate official documents. Agnieszka works in English, French and Polish throughout. Our page of useful contacts lists the official directories.
What taxes will I pay as an owner?
Owners pay the taxe foncière each year. A second home is also subject to the taxe d'habitation. If your net French property assets exceed €1,300,000, you are liable to the IFI, the French tax on property wealth, even as a non-resident. See our guide to French property taxes.
What tax is due when a non-resident sells?
The capital gain is taxed at 19% plus social charges, with relief for each year of ownership after the fifth. The gain is fully exempt from income tax after 22 years and from social charges after 30 years. Our guide to capital gains for non-residents explains the details.
Should I buy in my own name or through an SCI?
It depends on your family, your country of residence and your plans for the property. Our guide to buying through an SCI sets out the main points to discuss with a notaire or tax adviser before you sign the compromis.
Who pays the agency fee and when?
The mandate states who pays: the seller or the buyer. By law no fee may be taken until the sale has actually been concluded, so it is paid at completion. Our fees are published in our fee schedule.
What is a search mandate?
A written instruction under which Agnieszka acts for you as buyer, searches the whole market including homes that are not advertised and negotiates on your behalf. See our page on the search mandate.
Can I sell my home without advertising it?
Yes. Your home can be presented privately to buyers on our off-market register whose criteria fit. Our page on selling explains the mandate and the documents you will need.
Where do the prices on this site come from?
From DVF, the official record of property sales published by the French tax administration. We calculate median prices per m² for single-house and single-flat sales from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025. Monaco is not covered by DVF. See our prices per m² and market report.
Last updated: 11 October 2026