Country house for sale in France (2024)

FAQs

Why is property in rural France so cheap? ›

Additionally, the fact that mechanisation, which arrived relatively late in France, meant farms could operate with fewer people, helped push even more people into the cities. Many rural properties were either left empty, or used only as holiday homes. With lots of supply and little demand, prices fell.

You may be happy to know France does not currently have restrictions against buying property as a foreigner. However, the process may be trickier for you than for French residents. You will have to deal with a lot of due diligence and paperwork. A French property lawyer can assist with this.

French property prices have remained relatively stable in recent years, making it an attractive option for long-term investment.

Is It Possible to Buy Property and Get Residency in France? France doesn't enable foreigners to get residency for becoming an owner of a property, regardless of its price.

Central France - cheapest property prices in France

The relatively sparsely populated departments in Central France (Creuse, Vienne, Haute Vienne, Indre, Cher, Allier and Loiret) have traditionally been the cheapest places to buy property in France. This remains the case in 2024.

You will potentially have to add, for example, estate agent's fees (if the sale is concluded through an agent), Notary fees, land registration fees, possibly exchange rate surcharges, loan fees, and lawyer's fees. Be careful not to pay cash to the seller in order that the seller pays lower taxes.

Once you have bought your dream home in France If you would like to relocate to France or visit for longer than 90 days you will require a visa, which is easy to obtain once you are the owner of a French property. You may wish to apply for a Long stay visa valid for residence (VLS-TS).

For example, Americans who retire in France typically apply for a long-stay visitor visa. An important component of the application involves providing proof of sufficient financial resources that meet or exceed France's minimum wage, known as the SMIC. This amount is 1,398.69 euros after taxes (net), or about $1,500.

Can a US citizen live in France permanently? Yes, US citizens can move to France permanently, but there are several legal requirements involved. First, you must apply for your long-stay visa and be sure to renew it every year.

What taxes do you pay when buying a house in France? ›

Aside from the agreed property purchase price of your French property, you will need to account for Droit de Mutation (stamp duty), which is levied at 5.8% for all properties sold that are over five years old. New property developments attract a stamp duty charge of 0.7% plus VAT.

Deposit. For a French mortgage, you will generally need a minimum deposit of at least 15% to 25% of the property's purchase price, with rates that are fixed or variable. “The max for a repayment loan is 85%, but there is only one lender who will go this high,” John comments. “Generally 80% is the highest available.

Proof that you have sufficient financial resources

Normally, individuals who do not hold a passport of an EU-member country, will need to show that they have an annual/monthly income of more than the French minimum wage, which 01 1 January 2024 was €1,766.92 per month (Gross), around €1,400 per month (net).

A French bank account is essential if you plan to buy a property or take out a mortgage in France. It's also useful for everyday living in France if you want to make your purchases in euros, even if you are just on holiday.

To qualify for this visa, applicants are required to make an immediate investment of at least EUR 50,000 in their intended project. Additionally, a commitment to invest a total of EUR 300,000 over the span of four years is necessary.

The cost of living in France is higher than in neighboring western European countries; however, Paris is one of the main reasons for this. The rest of the country, particularly the countryside and the south of France, has a lower cost of living.

Why are so many castles in Europe for sale cheaper than some American mansions? Because many castles are very old, and in need of very expensive repairs, that will be supervised by heritiage bodies, so no shortcuts. They often have difficult access and other problems as well.

Supply V Demand

In Normandy there are enough houses to meet demand (unlike the South East of England) for the amount of people and surface area. We cannot say the same for the larger French cities eg Paris, Bordeaux, Rennes etc and these will come at a premium, much as you would expect in any major city the world.

The reason why France was willing to sell the French Territory to the United States was to have access to the Port of New Orleans. This was the most significant factor behind the Louisiana Purchase. The Port of New Orleans was a vital trade route for French goods.