Step by step guide to buying property in France

1. Setting a budget

Embarking on the journey of buying a home in France starts with setting a budget that works for you. 

It's an opportunity to explore your goals and think about how you envision your ideal home.  With a clear budget in mind, the search for the perfect French property can begin.

When purchasing a property abroad, it's essential to consider the role of currency exchange. It will almost always be at play, whether for the deposit, the completion of the purchase, or monthly repayments.

To gain a better understanding of how to navigate these currency transactions, we invite you to read our FAQ on currency exchange, it provides valuable insights to ensure a financially responsible and successful property purchase.

2. Deciding the location

After setting your budget, you should start thinking about where you’d want to move. Each region of France has its own charms, from sun and sea and thriving cities to historic rural towns and fabulous skiing opportunities.

When choosing where to live in France, it's important to consider the aspects that are most important to you, such as work opportunities, access to services, climate, and leisure activities. You should also consider the cost of living, which differs considerably based on the area. While vibrant cities such as Paris and Nice provide plenty of excitement and possibilities, they can also be more expensive than quieter, more rural regions such as La Creuse or Normandy. Ultimately, the key is to pick a location that matches your lifestyle, priorities, and budget.

Check out Kyero's top destinations to choose which region of France is perfect for you.

3. Finding a property

Kyero is the easy way to find your dream home. Search for a property online, with over 200,000 French properties, we’ll help you find the perfect spot for you, all from the comfort of your own home.

4. Choosing a translator

To ensure all the details are considered you'll want to find a translator. Even if your conversational French is proficient, you might want to turn to a professional who deals with legal interpretation or a specialist for buying property abroad in order to fully understand all the information and documents needed throughout the buying process.

5. Additional research

Before making a property purchase, you'll probably do plenty of online research to be in a good position to make an informed decision. 

In your due diligence on all of the aspects that may have an impact on your investment, you'll most likely explore property taxes and the property's DPE score, which assesses its energy usage and insulation levels.

Additionally, it is always beneficial to evaluate the municipality's Plan Local d'Urbanisme also known as PLU which outlines the land use of the area and establishes rules for construction projects.

You can instantly access planning documents on the French government's Geoportal website.

6. Making an offer 

The sixth step towards making your real estate dream a reality is to reach out to the seller, through your agent, with an offer to purchase, preferably in writing. 

When putting together your offer, be sure to specify the purchase price of the property and the period of validity of your offer (generally ranging from one to two weeks). This will give the seller plenty of time to review the offer and get back to you.

7. Finding a Notary 

For anyone wishing to buy a property in France, finding a notary is an absolute must as a legal requirement. The notary plays a crucial role in ensuring the transfer of ownership is both valid and secure.

During a sale, the notary is responsible for putting together and certifying all the documents needed to make the purchase official.

Typically, only one notary is needed for both buyer and seller, as they are a neutral party. However, both parties can choose to work with separate notaries, this may add a bit of time to the process as it's an extra person's availability to consider. There won’t be significant additional costs though as the notary fees will be fairly split between both notaries, with each receiving payment for the work they do.

When purchasing a property through a real estate agency, the agent will typically guide you through the process and assist you with a notary to handle the legal aspects of the transaction.

8. Signing the pre-contract

If you are at this step then congratulations as your offer has been accepted. You're one step closer to realising your dream of your very own piece of heaven in France!

Now it's time to move on to the pre-contract or "avant-contrat" stage. The pre-contract is a sale agreement and an opportunity to put all the details of the sale in writing and make your commitment official. It's like a roadmap for your real estate journey, laying out all the terms of the agreement between you and the seller.

The time between the signing of the pre-contract and the final sale contract (usually about three months) gives you the chance to take care of all the little details and make sure everything is in order before it becomes official. This includes securing financing if needed.

The pre-contract will provide important information about the sale, including:

• A complete description of the property
• Essential property diagnostics
• The agreed-upon purchase price
• The financing details for the acquisition
• The legal conditions for withdrawal and any necessary preconditions (such as securing a mortgage or building permit)
• The deadline for signing the final sale agreement

The “Promesse de Vente” is a bilateral agreement that's like a reservation for your dream property. By signing this document, the seller agrees to sell you their property and you agree to buy it. It's essentially a commitment from both you and the seller to see this transaction through to the end.

But what if the property doesn't end up being the perfect fit for you? No problem! You have a full 10 days to back out. After that, it becomes more difficult to cancel the purchase, unless one of the conditions specified in the contract is not met, such as not being able to secure financing or permits.

9.  Signing the final Acte Authentique de Vente

This is the exciting final step where you become the proud owner of your dream property! Within three months of signing the pre-contract, you'll find yourself in a room with the 2 other key players: the seller and the notary to officially sign the “Acte de Vente” signalling the conclusion of the process. 

During the signing, you will be responsible for paying the property and notary fees, officially transferring ownership. The notary ensures that both you and the seller are well-informed about the relevant laws, legal consequences, and potential penalties if any commitments are not met.

10. Moving into your new French home

And then - the moment you've been waiting for! The Acte is signed, the keys are handed over in exchange for your payment, and the door to your charming new French home swings wide open! 

FAQ about buying a property in France

How long does it take to buy a house in France?
Buying a house in France is relatively straightforward. From signing the initial agreement to having the process finalised, the entire process should take around three months. 

Is buying property in France possible without being a citizen?
Yes. There are no restrictions on buying property in France simply because you are a foreigner. 

Does buying a house in France mean I can live there?
Owning property in France does not automatically give you the right to live in it. Following Brexit, France has a 90-day rule, limiting the duration of your stay, regardless of what property you own. Beyond this, you will need a residency visa, and owning property will not give you an exemption. So, can you live in France if you buy a property? Yes, if you follow the correct visa requirements. You won’t be able to live in France simply because you purchased property. Unlike some other European countries, there is no Golden Visa offered to those who spend a certain amount on real estate.