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Buying a property in France

Dreaming of buying a property in France? Our expert guide walks you through every step of the process, from deciding where to buy to navigating the French buying system. Whether you’re planning a move or an investment, our team is here to help you manage property transactions with ease and confidence.

Ready to start your journey? Download our comprehensive guide to buying a property in France today and gain insights on everything from visas and fees to a helpful checklist to keep you on track.

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Home > Reasons for transfer > Buying property abroad > Buying property in France

Why you should buy in France

People come to France for the world-class cities, sun-drenched shores, old-world charm and alpine bliss – it’s the most visited country in the world with almost 90 million tourists annually – and stay for the lifestyle.

The weather

France is a diverse year-round destination. From the sun-soaked Mediterranean, like Nice, with its 2,724 hours of sunshine yearly, to the cooler northern regions, the country offers something for everyone. Ski enthusiasts will love the French Alps and Pyrenees in winter, while rolling green countryside offers a familiar climate to southern England.

Work-life balance

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France ranks highly in the OECD Better Life Index, making it one of the best countries for work-life balance. With a passion for art de vivre, the French excel in happiness and well-being. For retirees or holiday buyers, France also offers a safe environment, with strong social connections and a rich cultural scene, perfect for a relaxed lifestyle.

Accessibility

France is easily accessible with regular flights from the UK to destinations like Nice, Marseille, and Lyon. The Eurostar connects London with Paris in just over 2 hours. Quick access is also available by car, with options like the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais or ferries from southern UK ports, making road trips to France a breeze.

How to make your decision

Before embarking on your French property search, you must decide what you want from a new home there. This might alter as you progress through the buying process, but by answering these questions you will start your buying journey with a good sense of direction.

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Why are you buying a property in France?

Reaffirming exactly why you want to buy a property in France can help motivate and direct you during the early stages of the overseas property-buying process. This could be anything from wanting a place to enjoy memorable holidays with family and friends to making a property investment in a cheaper market than the UK.

How will you use the property?

Once you know the ‘why’ behind buying property in France, you can move on to the ‘how.’ This is where you begin refining your search. For example, if you’ll be popping over for long weekends you’ll want to find a place that’s close to an airport, or if you’re relocating you might want to be close to an established expat community.

What is your budget?

Establish a realistic budget that aligns with your financial position, so you know what you can and can’t afford from the off. This will prevent you from wasting time on viewings that are unsuitable or beyond your financial means. Don’t forget to budget for at least 10% extra for buying costs. Remember to shield your budget from exchange rate fluctuations. These market movements could cause the cost of your dream home to disappear out of reach between making an offer and completing.

Sending money to France

Buying a property in France involves more than just finding the right home – it’s crucial to understand how to transfer your funds smoothly. At Lumon, we’re here to make the process simple, which is why we’ve put together key information you’ll need for sending money to France. From understanding French bank details to typical timelines, we’ve got you covered so you know exactly what to expect.

Guide to sending money to France

Live exchange rates

When transferring money for a property purchase in France, staying informed about live exchange rates is crucial. Even small fluctuations can affect how much you ultimately receive, impacting your overall budget. Our team of currency specialists is here to help you protect your budget and optimise your currency strategy and make the most of your property purchase budget.

Live pound to euro exchange rate

What's on your must-have list?

What are your top must-haves when buying property in France? Consider some key questions to find out what your deal breakers are, such as: do you want to live in a coastal resort, a city or the countryside? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Do you need parking? Do you want a garden and/or swimming pool?

Where to buy

Brittany

Sculpted by the mighty Atlantic Ocean that crashes against its shores, Brittany – known as Armorica, ‘Land of the Sea’ – is home to a wild and dramatic coastline. Head inland from this rugged beauty and you’ll find a patchwork pastoral landscape of enchanting mediaeval towns and thick verdant forests. This Celtic outpost feels a long way from Paris, with the fiercely independent locals still celebrating Breton culture today.

Burgundy

If you want to buy in a bucolic backdrop, Burgundy offers a tapestry of countryside cornerstones: mediaeval villages, mustard fields, and sweeping vineyards. Explore its rolling green hills and you will be whisked on a historic, gastronomic, and cultural adventure – with the region’s wealth firmly on display. Its handsome capital Dijon can rightly claim to be one of the country’s most attractive cities thanks to its architectural splendour – from half-timbered houses to elegant Renaissance buildings. To reach your rural bolthole there, you can jump on the TGV from Paris, which
takes just over 90 minutes, or hop over or under the Channel in your car and enjoy a pleasant road trip.

Loire

This popular region is named after France’s longest river that snakes through countless vineyards past opulent aristocratic estates, feudal castles, and sophisticated cities, including Orléans, Blois, Tours and Angers. Its position on the frontier between northern and southern France makes it the perfect launchpad to explore the rest of the country’s splendour. With frequent flights to Lyon and just a short train or autoroute ride from Paris, getting there in the first place isn’t too difficult.

Le Nord and Picardy

The channel ports of the north – Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne – aren’t just a gateway to France. Those that take the time to stop in this attractive region will discover enticing places inland and on the coast: Arras, Amiens, Beauvais, Abbeville, and Le Touquet to name a few. The 50 miles separating Dover from Calais may as well be 5,000 miles given the vast difference in culture and property prices – which are around a third to half the price of the equivalent back home. The region is appealing for anyone wanting to keep in close touch with friends and family, with ferries and the Eurotunnel whisking car passengers there in no time at all.

Languedoc-Roussilon

Extending from Provence to the Pyrenees and the border with Spain, this sun-baked coastal region is awash with reminders of its rich heritage – from Roman aqueducts to hilltop Cathar castles. Now part of the greater Occitanie region, it’s become well known for producing a third of France’s wines, and the golden beaches that line its Mediterranean shore – where you’ll find a more relaxed vibe than the excesses of the Côte d’Azur. Places of interest include Carcassonne, Montpellier, Narbonne, and Nimes – dubbed the most Roman city outside Italy. Despite being in the south, reaching your place in the sun won’t be difficult, with flights from Heathrow to Perpignan, Montpelier, and Marseille.

Massif Central

This wild and empty corner of France appeals to those who want to swap hectic modern life for nature and tradition. Beneath its beauty, hot volcanic springs bubble up to supply Vichy and Volvic with their iconic mineral waters, while high mountain streams conflate to form three of France’s mightiest rivers: the Dordogne, the Allier and the Loire. Add in the county’s largest area of protected landscape – the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d’Auvergne and its neighbour, the Parc Naturel Régional Livradois-Forez – and you won’t be surprised to hear that countryside cottages built from the local black volcanic stone dominate the property scene. You can reach your rural idyll by train from Paris to Vichy, Clermont-Ferrand, Limoges and Uzerche. The A71 motorway runs down the middle of the region.

Paris

Modern Paris’ has become a tale of two cities where the traditional touchstones – monument-lined boulevards, museums, classical bistros and boutiques – sit alongside contemporary multimedia galleries, creative wine bars, design shops and tech start-ups. The enthralling Parisian architecture remains its calling card, making it one of the most visited cities in the world – with people flocking there to view and snap iconic structures like the Louvre, the Grand Arche, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. You probably won’t be surprised to hear that city centre properties command eye-watering prices. Head to suburbs like Hauts-de-Seine and it gets more affordable. The capital of France is easy to reach by car, train or air.

The Pyreness

The towering, snow-dusted Pyrenees mountains straddle the Franco-Spanish border. Snow sports enthusiasts make the pilgrimage to the region’s serrated chain of peaks and the resorts that adorn them between November and April each year. Visitors and residents share its slopes, valleys, tarns and mountain pastures with fascinating wildlife like mountain goats and brown bears. Unlike the Alps, coastal living is also an option around here: Biarritz, Bayonne, and St-Jean-de-Luz on the Atlantic coast and Perpignan on the Mediterranean. Whether you buy at altitude or on the coast, you can reach your place in the Pyrenees by flying from Heathrow to Biarritz, Pau, Agen and Perpignan

Visas

Once you know why you’re buying a property in France and how you’re going to use it, you must find out if you need to apply for a visa. If you plan to spend more than 90 days out of every chunk of 180 enjoying the French lifestyle, you will need to get a long-stay visa – these types of visas last up to a year but are renewable.

For more information about the requirements and advantages of each visa, download our complete Buying a Property in France guide.

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VLS-TS

The most common type of visa is the French long-stay visa – la Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour (VLS-TS). Your situation – such as salaried employee, self-employed or retiree – and financial status will determine which kind you apply for.

Income requirements

When applying for your French visa you must prove you will have an income of €1,200 to €1,300 per month – this is equivalent to the minimum wage in France. You can also prove you’ve built up enough savings to qualify.

Applying

The current total cost of a French visa application is €99. You must apply at one of the visa application centres in London, Edinburgh, or Manchester.

What professional support should you seek?

With so much to consider when purchasing a property overseas – including technical factors like legal and financial regulations – you should engage the services of trusted professional experts early in the buying process. These specialists will use their knowledge and experience to impart the right information at the right time – guiding you on the path to successfully purchasing a property overseas.

Estate agent

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Choosing the right estate agent is crucial to finding the perfect property in France. First, ensure the agent is registered with a regulatory body in France. Choose an agent with strong local knowledge and a good reputation. Read reviews to ensure they’ll meet your needs, and check how responsive they are to your requests. Finally, verify they have experience working with UK buyers to help guide your purchase.

Independent financial advisor

girl with laptop

An independent financial adviser (IFA) can help you with vital financial elements of your property purchase: budgeting, managing your finances and reducing your costs. They will also be able to assist you with other financial elements of your move like pensions and taxation. Unless you are a cash buyer, you will probably need to contact a mortgage adviser as well – they can also help with life insurance.

Frequently asked questions

Can a UK resident buy property in France?

Yes, UK residents can absolutely buy property in France. There are no restrictions on foreign property ownership, making France a popular choice for British buyers. While post-Brexit rules have changed the residency requirements, owning a property in France remains straightforward. However, it’s important to be aware of visa requirements if you plan to stay for extended periods.

How long can I stay in France if I buy a property?

Owning a property does not automatically grant residency rights. UK residents can stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period in France without a visa. If you’re buying property in France and wish to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a long-stay visa or residency permit, depending on your plans.

How much tax do you pay when buying a house in France?

When buying property in France, buyers should expect to pay various taxes and fees. Typically, these include notary fees (around 7-8% of the property price for older homes), registration taxes, and stamp duty. Additionally, you may be subject to capital gains tax if you sell the property at a profit in the future. It’s advisable to consult with a legal expert to fully understand the tax implications.

What are the risks of buying property in France?

While buying property in France can be a rewarding investment, it’s important to be aware of potential risks. These include fluctuating property prices in certain regions, understanding local laws and regulations, and possible language barriers when dealing with contracts and legal paperwork. Ensuring thorough due diligence and seeking professional advice will help mitigate these risks.

Working with Lumon – your trusted currency partner

Our team of currency specialists have the local market knowledge to help you navigate the process of buying a property in France. With our international real estate expertise, we’re here to help make the process hassle-free.

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Supporting our customers

I had several problems with unexpected bills since completing the sale of our property in France, but Lumon sorted things out for me making payments from my funds held in their Paris account. Staff at Lumon have been extremely polite and helpful dealing with my queries in a speedy and efficient manner.

Sheridan

Purchased a property in France

What our customers are saying


Whether you’re buying a property abroad, sending a one off payment or require regular payments, we’re here to help.

We’re here to help

At Lumon we understand what it takes to help you buy property abroad successfully. We tailor our specialist overseas property service to meet your individual needs, so you can make international payments with confidence. We’re here to help you make the most of your budget with no hidden fees.

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Our bank beating exchange rates

Get more euros for your money when you transfer £50,000 with us

€58,783
Nationwide
€58,305
Bank of Scotland
€58,205
Halifax
€58,205
Lloyds Bank
€58,205
Co-operative Bank
€57,425

This chart is intended to represent the range of euro outcomes a consumer may achieve on a £50,000 transfer of pounds to euros, inclusive of fees and charges. Comparison data for the high-street banks is from FXC Intelligence (FXC Intelligence | Payments Market Data for Global Payments).


Comparison data for the high-street banks utilises pricing data provided under licence from FXC Intelligence (FXC Intelligence | Payments Market Data for Global Payments), a specialist benchmarking tool, for transactions in September 2024. The Lumon rate is calculated by taking the GBPEUR spot rate from 1 September 2024 from the Bank of England (bankofengland.co.uk) and then applying the median FX cost percentage across 103 spot GBP to EUR transactions with a value in the range of £25,000-£50,000 performed by Lumon Pay Limited and associated Group Companies (Lumon Risk Management Limited, Lumon FX Europe Limited) for personal customers during September 2024.