Villas and apartments
for sale on the French Riviera

As a rule, a non-resident may purchase a villa or apartment in France. The essential point is to prepare the legal and financial aspects early enough, before making a commitment.

The notaire will ask for documents confirming your identity, address and family circumstances. For documents issued abroad, they will specify any translations or formalities required. The bank and notaire will also verify the source of funds.

If you plan to finance the purchase, have your borrowing capacity assessed in advance. Terms will depend in particular on your country of residence, income and the security available.

Yes. Much of the preparation can be handled remotely, including discussions with advisers, document transmission, financing arrangements and preparation of the deeds.

For completion, you may appoint someone to represent you under a power of attorney. Depending on the procedure chosen by the notaire, an authenticated power of attorney may be arranged remotely.

A personal viewing, or an on-site inspection by someone you trust, remains advisable before you commit.

Your acquisition budget includes the purchase price, transaction costs and, depending on your plans, financing and moving-in costs.

As a guide, acquisition costs are generally around 7–8% for a resale property and 2–3% for qualifying new-build property under the reduced-cost regime. The exact amount should be calculated by the notaire.

If you are borrowing, allow for application, security and insurance costs, as well as a separate budget for any works, furnishings and moving in.

The annual budget depends on the property and its amenities: co-ownership charges, garden or pool maintenance, insurance, utilities and subscriptions.

From a tax perspective, owners should allow in particular for taxe foncière and, depending on the circumstances, taxe d’habitation on second homes. French real estate wealth tax may also apply where a household’s net taxable property assets exceed the statutory threshold.

Before purchasing, ask to review the latest tax notices, service-charge statements and available maintenance contracts.

Agreement on price and terms is generally followed by a promesse or compromis de vente. This preliminary contract sets out the financing, conditions precedent and intended completion date.

A non-professional buyer has a statutory ten-day cooling-off period. A sum, often between 5% and 10% of the purchase price, may be held in escrow by the notaire and deducted from the balance on completion.

The timetable depends on financing, the notaire’s checks and any pre-emption rights. Keys are usually handed over on completion.