Buying A Home In France May 2026

A deposit of 5–10% is usually paid into the notary's escrow account after the cooling-off period.

The most common initial contract. Once signed, the buyer has a 10-day cooling-off period to withdraw without penalty.

Budget an additional 7–8% for older properties and roughly 2–3% for new builds. buying a home in france

Helps find properties and manage negotiations. They are typically paid by the seller, though this is negotiable.

Owners pay annual property taxes— taxe foncière (paid by the owner) and sometimes taxe d'habitation (for second homes). A deposit of 5–10% is usually paid into

A mandatory legal expert who ensures the sale is legally binding and registers it with the Land Registry. They represent the state, so many buyers hire their own independent notary for additional advice.

A written offer that indicates serious intent but is generally not yet legally binding. Budget an additional 7–8% for older properties and

Use government sites like Géorisques to check for natural risks (flooding, etc.) and DVF to see historical sales prices in the area.