Buying & Selling Property in France
Buying or selling property in France involves more than a simple agreement between buyer and seller. It is a structured legal process governed by French law, where a notaire plays a central role in securing the transaction.
FrenchNotaires helps you connect with English-speaking notaires who can guide you through every step of your real estate transaction in France.
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Whether you are purchasing a holiday home, selling an inherited property, or investing in French real estate, understanding the process is essential to avoid delays, risks, or costly mistakes.
Why you need a Notaire for Property in France
In France, a real estate transaction cannot be legally completed without a notaire.
A notaire is a public legal officer responsible for:
✅ Verifying ownership of the property
✅ Securing the transaction for both parties
✅ Preparing the legal documentation
✅ Calculating and collecting taxes
✅ Registering the transfer with the land registry
This ensures that the transfer of ownership is legally valid and enforceable.
👉 Working with an English-speaking notaire helps you fully understand each step of the process.
What Are the Steps to Buy Property in France?
1
Signing the Preliminary Agreement
Most real estate transactions begin with a preliminary contract, known as a compromis de vente or promesse de vente.
This agreement defines:
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The purchase price
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Conditions of the sale
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Expected completion timeline
At this stage, the buyer typically pays a deposit of around 5% to 10%, held in escrow until completion.
2
Legal Checks and Due Diligence
After the preliminary agreement is signed, the notaire conducts detailed legal checks to secure the transaction.
These include:
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Verifying the seller’s ownership
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Identifying mortgages, easements, or restrictions
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Checking whether a pre-emption right applies
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Ensuring compliance with legal regulations
The notaire also prepares all required documentation for the final transfer.
3
Signing the Deed of Sale
The final step is the signature of the deed of sale (acte de vente) before the notaire.
At this stage:
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The buyer pays the remaining balance
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Taxes and notary fees are settled
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Ownership is officially transferred
The notaire then registers the transaction with the land registry, making the transfer legally enforceable.
Selling property in France
Selling real estate in France also requires the involvement of a notaire.
The notaire:
✅ Prepares the sale agreement
✅ Verifies legal documentation
✅ Manages communication between parties
✅ Ensures compliance with French law
✅ Handles the final transfer and registration
For sellers, a notaire also helps:
✔️ Clarify obligations
✔️ Identify potential issues early
✔️ Ensure the transaction proceeds smoothly
Costs and taxes when buying property
When purchasing property in France, buyers must pay additional costs beyond the purchase price.
These typically include:
➡️ Transfer taxes
➡️ Notary fees
➡️ Land registry fees
➡️ Administrative costs
For most existing properties, total acquisition costs are around 7% to 8% of the purchase price.
👉 A notaire can provide a detailed breakdown specific to your transaction.
Real estate in France for foreign buyers
Foreign buyers are generally allowed to purchase property in France without restrictions.
You can buy as:
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An individual
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A couple
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A company (in some cases)
However, every transaction must follow French legal procedures, including:
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Signing a preliminary agreement
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Completing legal checks
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Registering the sale
👉 This is why working with a notaire is mandatory.
Common mistakes to avoid
Many international buyers and sellers make similar mistakes:
❌ Not understanding the role of the notaire
❌ Underestimating legal timelines
❌ Ignoring tax implications
❌ Relying on informal advice
❌ Failing to plan cross-border aspects
A short consultation with a notaire can prevent costly errors.
FAQ - Real Estate in France
Can foreigners buy real estate in France?
Yes. Foreign buyers are generally allowed to purchase real estate in France without nationality restrictions. Both individuals and companies can acquire real property.
However, every real estate transaction in France must follow the legal procedures established by the French Civil Code. The sale purchase agreement, the verification of ownership rights, and the registration of the deed of sale at the land registry are mandatory steps before the transfer of ownership becomes legally effective.
For this reason, the purchase must always be completed before a French notaire.
What is the role of a notaire in a real estate transaction?
A notaire is a public legal officer responsible for securing real estate transactions in France. The notaire acts as a neutral professional who protects the interests of both the buyer and the seller.
During a property purchase, the notaire will: verify the seller's ownership, check for mortgages, easements or legal restrictions, confirm whether a pre-emption right applies, prepare the deed of sale, calculate and collect transfer taxes, and register the transfer of ownership with the land registry. Without the intervention of a notaire, a sale of real property in France cannot be legally completed.
How long does it take to buy property in France?
A typical real estate purchase in France usually takes two to three months between the signing of the preliminary agreement and the final deed of sale. During this period, the notaire carries out the necessary legal checks. Once these checks are completed, the parties sign the final sale deed, which officially transfers ownership of the real estate property to the buyer.
What taxes apply when buying real estate?
When purchasing real estate property in France, buyers must pay several costs in addition to the purchase price. These costs usually include transfer taxes, notary fees, land registry registration costs, and administrative transaction fees. For most existing real estate properties, the total acquisition costs generally represent around 7% to 8% of the purchase price.
What is a pre-emption right in French real estate law?
A pre-emption right allows certain public authorities in France, such as municipalities, to purchase a property before a private buyer when the property is put up for sale. This mechanism is part of French real estate law. Before completing a real estate transaction, the notaire must verify whether a pre-emption right applies to the property.
Why is land registry registration important in France?
In France, the transfer of real property ownership becomes legally enforceable only after the transaction is registered with the land registry (Service de la publicité foncière).
The registration of the deed of sale ensures that the new owner's rights are publicly recorded and protected against third parties. This step is handled by the notaire, who submits the necessary documents after the completion of the real estate transaction.