Can you buy a house in France as a non-resident?

1. Understand Visas And Residency

‍

Particularly if you are buying a home to live in full time, you should understand exactly what visa type you need and apply accordingly. This can be done on France-Visas website.

For initial visits, France operates under Schengen area rules which allows non-residents to visit any of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland for a 90-day period.

Many countries are exempt from a 90-day visa requirement, including Australia and the United States but be sure to check where your country of residence stands in the latest EU border regulations. If you are travelling for longer and for work, this changes and you may require a different type of visa or to register for residency.

‍

UK Nationals

There are different types of residency for UK citizens, depending on your situation. For example, the requirements of a UK national who wants to join a family member already residing in France since before January 2021 may be different to the requirements for someone who moved to France before 2020.

For UK residents who wish to move to France presently, with or without family in the country, you will first need to apply for a long-stay visa, type D, known as a ‘visa de long séjour’. This is not a requirement for anyone with an EU passport and lasts from 4 months up to one year. This can be from the French embassy in the UK. 

If you are buying your home to live in and, therefore, planning to stay longer than 12 months, you will need to have a residence permit (titre de séjour), and you must apply for this within 2 months prior to the end of your type D visa. Do this via your local préfecture which is the political authority in your region of France. 

Always check the UK government website for the latest information and requirements for living in France before you go, to be on the safe side. From here you can also find advice on other essential information to know about such as tax and pensions advice for moving or retiring abroad.

‍

EU Citizens 

If you hold European citizenship, you are not required to apply for a resident permit. If you are not European but wish to join a European family member already living in France, you can apply for a residence card. The official website of French Administration stays up-to-date with the latest information.

‍

Non-EU Citizens

As mentioned, Australians and some other countries outside of the EU do not require a short-stay visa, provided they do not surpass 90 days within the 180-day-a-year limitation within the Schengen area. Similarly to EU citizens, to stay in France for longer and if joining French family members, a long-stay visa will be required. There are different types of visas for residency available, including French Work Visa and one for Innovative Economic Projects. Again, you can look up which visa you require on France Visa’s official website. For more information, including tax requirements, check the official Australian Taxation Office website for the period you wish to go also. 

‍

2. Streamline The Buying Process

‍

One of our essential tips for buying a vacation home abroad in 2025 and beyond is to connect with property experts, lawyers and solicitors who know the country and individual regions well. You want to ensure you are not just buying a home you love, but also that you are acquiring property in compliance with the law.

Working with an estate agent will be invaluable. They should know the local property market well and be able to find the best homes, follow due diligence and asses information as needed, such as the be a property’s DDT (dossier de diagnostic technique) which gives essential information on the property. You should also be prepared to hire a notary (notaire in French) to oversee legalities, including tax fees, the Promesse de Vente (promise to sell) and Compromis de Vente (contract of sale).

‍

3. Be Aware Of Taxes And Additional Payments

‍

Especially if your new home in France will be your primary residence, there are other ongoing payments and taxes to think about. The tax year runs from 1st of January to 31st of December and taxe foncière is an anual fee that is revalued each year and applicable on all real estate.

Income tax depends on your residency status, be sure to check this online. A non-resident, for example, will only be liable to pay tax on income from French sources. Whereas a ‘Tax residents’ will pay tax on income from French and foreign sources.

For Americans buying property in France, we advise connecting with a local real estate agent and notary early on in your buying journey, the same applies for UK, EU and non-EU citizens for ease and peace of mind - especially if you are time-poor and not familiar with the French property market. You dream French property is most certainly attainable with the right know-how and approach...

‍

‍If you want to enjoy all the beauty of Europe and iconic properties, co-ownership might be the answer. For more insight on our Collections and how shared real estate can make a great lifestyle choice, arrange a call with a member of our expert advisory team.