Buying Property in France: Legal Guide

Purchase Process

1. 1. Property Search: Identify suitable properties through real estate agents (agents immobiliers), online portals, or public auctions via encheres-publiques.com and government domain sales.
2. 2. Make an Offer: Submit a written offer (offre d'achat) to the seller. Once accepted, this may create a binding agreement depending on the terms.
3. 3. Sign the Compromis de Vente: This preliminary contract outlines all sale terms and typically requires a 10% deposit held by the notary. Buyers receive a 10-day cooling-off period (delai de retractation) to withdraw without penalty.
4. 4. Conditions Suspensives: Standard conditions include obtaining financing (if applicable) and satisfactory diagnostic reports. The sale proceeds only if these conditions are met.
5. 5. Due Diligence Period: The notary conducts extensive checks on the property title, planning permissions, easements, and any pre-emption rights held by local authorities.
6. 6. Arrange Financing: If taking a mortgage, finalize the loan agreement. French banks typically offer mortgages to non-residents up to 70-80% of the property value.
7. 7. Final Signing (Acte de Vente): Approximately 2-3 months after the compromis, both parties sign the final deed at the notary's office. The balance of the purchase price plus fees is paid.
8. 8. Registration: The notary registers the deed with the land registry (Service de la Publicite Fonciere) and you become the legal owner.

Foreign Buyer Requirements

France places no restrictions on foreign property ownership. Buyers from any country can purchase real estate with the same rights as French citizens. Required documentation includes a valid passport, proof of address, and proof of funds or financing. Non-EU buyers may need to provide additional documentation for anti-money laundering compliance. While not legally required, engaging a bilingual lawyer is recommended to review contracts and explain legal obligations in your language.