French Mortgages – What you need to know

A complete service

With a comprehensive French mortgage service to ensure the best possible solution tailored to your personal requirements here in France, you are in expert hands with our experienced, bilingual team. We provide unparalleled support every step of the way to make sure your acquisition is as stress-free as possible.

We have established partnerships with multiple French retail banks and Monegasque private banks to find a deal to suit every budget and purchase price. Different banks have different criteria, such as loan duration, loan to values, types of income, country of residence and rules on the project being accepted; we have, therefore, sought various providers in order to offer the widest choice to match our clients’ situation with the most favourable terms and conditions to give the best value. We believe that this approach allows you the flexibility to find the ideal option to meet your needs.

It’s crucial that you speak with a qualified mortgage and registered broker before moving forward with a property purchase in France – someone that can understand your unique circumstances, then ensure you get the right financing through the right bank. Our team, as expats who have been through the process numerous times, are dedicated to giving customers simple and transparent mortgage advice. We understand the difficulties and frustrations of the French system, but with over 15 years of experience we pride ourselves on knowing the finer details and sharing this knowledge with our customers.

Do HB Mortgages take care of everything?

Once you decide to use our services, our mortgage brokers will ascertain your specific requirements and send you a list of documents that you will need to begin the process for obtaining a French mortgage with our partnered banks. We’ll then get back to you if anything else is required. Then, once we have presented your file to the bank, we will liaise with you and assist you through every step of the way – from the mortgage application to the purchase of your property.

What are the minimum requirements for obtaining a mortgage in France?

The minimum mortgage amount that we can arrange is €100,000 and loan to values for non-residents range from 50% to 85% depending on the applicant(s) and the bank. Due to purchase costs, a non-resident needs to have a minimum of 25% of the property price as a deposit. The loan term is generally set for a term between 20 and 25 years, but early repayment can be discussed when choosing which is the best mortgage option for you (for example, whether that is repayment or interest–only). The minimum levels of income required are €50,000 for second homes or buy-to-let properties, but less for primary residence purchases, with the bank wanting proof of the last three months’ payslips or the last three years of company accounts if you are self-employed.

Leave it to us

So, with the peace of mind that having an expert in your corner gives you, all that’s left for you to do is find your perfect home in France and choose whether you want to take a stroll down the Promenade des Anglais, sample the gastronomy of Lyon or wander through the ancient historic towns of Normandy. Santé!