Guides
French mortgage guides for UK and international buyers
Plain-English guides to borrowing for a property in France while you live outside France. Every figure carries its date and source.
Last reviewed
Each guide answers one question properly. French terms are explained the first time they appear and collected in the glossary. Figures come from named sources such as French government sites, notaires and the Banque de France, and each one shows when it was checked.
The guides are general information, not advice on your own case. When you want to know how your situation looks to a lender, check your options and we will prequalify you. If your case fits and you agree, we introduce you to one of the leading, reputable specialist mortgage brokers and lenders we work with.
Where should I start?
Pick the line that sounds most like you.
- You are just starting to lookBegin with how French mortgages work: loan types, terms, the 35% rule and deposits.
- You are worried about your age or incomeSee how lenders count income from abroad, existing debts and age, with worked examples.
- You have found a propertyThe steps from your offer to the keys, and where the mortgage fits in.
- You are comparing costsWhat notaire fees include and how purchase tax varies by department.
- You want a holiday home you may letHow lenders treat rental income, plus second home taxes and holiday let rules.
How do French mortgages work for UK and international buyers?
The rules French lenders follow and what they expect from applicants who live outside France.
- French mortgagesFixed rates, terms up to 25 years and the lenders that consider non-residents.
- Non-resident mortgagesDeposits, minimum loans, non-euro income and age limits for non-residents.
- Second home mortgagesFinancing a holiday home, with the taxes and letting rules that come with it.
- How much can I borrow?The 35% debt ratio and term limits worked through on real incomes.
- Mortgage ratesMarket averages with sources, the legal rate cap, insurance and early repayment limits.
- Mortgage documentsA checklist of what lenders ask applicants living outside France for, grouped by situation.
- Financing certificateThe attestation de financement agents ask for, and what it does not promise.
How does buying a property in France work?
The purchase itself, the costs around it and the French words you will meet along the way.
- Buying in FranceOffer, compromis, cooling-off period, loan condition and signing at the notaire.
- Buying costsPurchase tax, scale fees, disbursements and mortgage costs with worked examples.
- GlossaryFrench property and mortgage terms explained in plain English.
- QuestionsShort answers to the questions UK and international buyers ask most.
Which calculator do I need?
Free tools that use current French figures, each shown with its date and source.
Want to know how your own case looks?
Tell us about the property and your situation in two short steps. No credit check.