Increase in Stamp Duty on Property Purchases

19th Nov 2024

The government has announced an increase in the transfer taxes payable on the acquisition of property in France.

The taxes currently amount to 5.80% of the purchase price, although in a small number of departments it is 5.09%. They are paid by the purchaser.

Owning a Vintage Car in France

15th Nov 2024

What you need to know about registering, importing and owning a vintage vehicle in France.

In France a vintage car is considered a vehicle that is over 30 years old, that has not been “substantially modified” and is no longer produced.

Furnished Lettings from 2025

12th Nov 2024

A new regulatory and fiscal framework is beginning to emerge for furnished rentals.

We have reported previously on the changes afoot to the taxation of income from holiday lettings (meublés de tourisme).

Sharp Rise in Insurance Complaints

8th Nov 2024

Complaints to the insurance Ombudsman were up by over 40% last year, and they are set to go even higher this year.

In his annual report recently published for 2023 the Médiateur de l'Assurance states there were 30,620 referrals in the year, an increase of +42% compared to 2022.

Energy Saving Certificates Under Fire

5th Nov 2024

The system of energy savings certificates has been heavily criticized by the French national auditor.

What are CEEs?

France's 'Exit Tax'

31st Oct 2024

What is the 'exit tax' and who is liable?

Although an 'exit tax' exists in France, there is widespread misunderstanding about its scope, in part due to misinformed reports in social media and the English language press in France.

House Prices in Occitanie

28th Oct 2024

A complete summary of average house prices across all departments of the Occitanie region.

The number of sales in some towns is so small that it is not possible to obtain a reliable average sales price.

Banking Charges 2024

24th Oct 2024

A new report highlights the changes in banking charges amongst the main retail and on-line banks in France.

According to the report from the official French banking observatory (Observatoire des tarifs bancaires - OTB), banking charges in 2024 remain relatively unchanged over 2023, although the charges applied to customers whose circumstances were financially fragile have fallen sharply.

Preference Rights over Real Estate

22nd Oct 2024

A court rules on the operation of an agreement for the first right of refusal on the purchase of property.

Obtaining preferential rights from an owner to real estate in France is possible through an agreement called a pacte de préférence.

House Prices in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

17th Oct 2024

A complete summary of average house prices across all departments of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

Food Prices in France 2023

15th Oct 2024

A new study of food prices across Europe shows a mixed picture for France.

The study was carried out by the European Commission, and covered 36 European countries.

French Budget 2025

12th Oct 2024

The government unveiled its finance bill for 2025 this week, but without a parliamentary majority just how much of it will pass into law remains uncertain.

To reduce the public deficit, which is expected to reach 6.1% this year, the government has planned a whole arsenal of measures aimed at restoring public finances.

Successive Sale of Principal Residences

10th Oct 2024

Does the sale of several main homes in quick succession invalidate the capital gains tax exemption?

In France the sale of the principal residence is entirely exempt from capital gains tax and social charges.

Neighbour Disputes over Loss of Sunlight

8th Oct 2024

What are the rights of property owners over the loss of sunlight due to a new development?

Given the important role that sunlight plays in the attractiveness and value of property, it is protected by various legal provisions.

Guides to Moving to France

5th Oct 2024

Our complete catalogue of articles about moving to France.

Some of the guides are freely accessible. For others you will need to take out a premium subscription to France Insider.

House Prices in the Loire

4th Oct 2024

A review of housing market in the department of Loire, by the local notaires.

Although it carries the name of the eponymous river that flows through it, the department of Loire is not in the 'Loire Valley', an area in central France located in the regions of Pay-de-la-Loire and Centre-Val de Loire.

Furnished Lettings and VAT

2nd Oct 2024

The government has published new rules on the application of VAT on furnished lettings.

We reported last year on a ruling in the French courts which threw into question whether French law on VAT on furnished lettings complied with European law.

Income Tax Refunds and Payments 2024

28th Sept 2024

Income tax reconciliations for millions of households began this month.

Although there is tax deduction at source for French salaries, pensions and investment income, for other income and for most international owners the system operates by 'on-account' payments during the year.

Burglaries in France in 2023

26th Sept 2024

A new report provides an insight into burglary levels in each department of France.

According to the Ministry of the Interior (SSMSI), last year there were 217,100 recorded residential burglaries, an increase of 3% compared to 2022.

Death in France - Recovery of Social Benefits

24th Sept 2024

Beneficiaries of an estate in France can face a bill for social benefits and residential care services received by a deceased person.

Responsibility for social benefits and services in France is divided between several agencies, but most are provided either by the departmental councils or the main retirement fund, called the Caisse nationale d’assurance vieillesse (CNAV).

Builders Liability Insurance and Ancillary Activities

19th Sept 2024

A recent case in the French courts considered the scope of general liability insurance for a builder undertaking works of an ancillary nature.

Builders in France are required to hold professional public liability insurance (assurance responsabilité civile professionnelle) for their activities.

Interest Free Loans for Energy Conservation

17th Sept 2024

A new lifetime loan offer has been introduced, alongside an existing interest free loan for energy conservation works.

How to Reduce the Cost of an Inheritance - Part 1

12th Sept 2024

By the standards of many other countries inheritance tax in France is high, so taking advantage of the options available to reduce the tax is essential for many international owners.

One of the most effective steps that can be taken is to create different legal interests in real estate, either at the time of purchase or at a later date.

Local Rates Bills 2024

9th Sept 2024

The overwhelming majority of councils have decided not to impose an increase in the local rates this year.

A study published this week by the tax authority reveals that over 80% of local councils have maintained the rates at the same level as last year.

Planning Consents and Water Resources

5th Sept 2024

Planning consents in France are increasingly subject to the availability of sufficient water resources in the locality.

In an unprecedented decision, the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes recently announced that they will not validate local plans in the department if they do not adequately take account of the sustainability of local water resources.

Commercial Property Funds - SCPIs

3rd Sept 2024

Commercial property funds in France popular with individual investors are facing a crisis of confidence.

One of the traditionally most robust and best performing investment products in France are French property investment funds called Sociétés civiles de placement immobilier - SCPI.

Building Work on Rental Properties

29th August 2024

Distinguishing between tax deductible and non-deductible building works carried out by a landlord on a rental property.

Under Article 31 of the French Tax Code, for the tax authorities distinguish between three main types of building work carried out on rental properties:

Valuation of Effects for Inheritance Tax

26th August 2024

What are the rules concerning the valuation of personal and household effects for French inheritance tax?

There is no escaping the requirement for inheritors to make an inheritance tax declaration in France, even though no tax may be payable.

Real estate must be valued at market value, but slightly different rules apply in relation to furniture and personal effects.

Coastal Property Prices

23rd August 2024

Property prices in most coastal areas have started to fall back after the post-COVID frenzy.

According to the French notaires, median prices for houses to the year end of March fell by -2.8%. In contrast, apartment prices remained relatively stable.

Tontine Purchase or Disguised Gift?

21st August 2024

The ‘tontine’ clause in property sale contracts and the risk of disqualification.

This clause is sometimes used by (normally unmarried) couples to protect the surviving partner against the reserved inheritance rights of children. Without it the children (or other relatives) of the deceased inherit the property.

French Social Security Number

19th August 2024

To be legally resident in France you are required to have a social security number.

The number is known as the Numéro d'Inscription au Répertoire (NIR). It is the equivalent of a national insurance number.

Self-Employed Social Security Contributions

16th August 2024

Those who run a company in France face a change in their social insurance charges from next year.

Business owners who use profit and loss accounting (régime réel) pay several social insurance charges (cotisations sociales) as a percentage of their net profits.

Drinking Water and Sewerage Charges

13th August 2024

What is the cost of water and sewerage services in France?

According to the latest report from the Office français de la biodiversité (OFB),the average annual charge for domestic drinking water and mains sewerage is €542 a year (2022).

Apartment Prices in Paris

29th July 2024

In their latest review of the property market in Paris the notaires report a significant fall in sales and prices.

According to the notaires, apartment sales have fallen by 13% in a year, with prices also down by an average of 7.3%.

Notaires and Local Planning Searches

26th July 2024

Local planning searches undertaken by notaires are surprisingly unregulated, and often limited.

As part of the conveyancing process in France the notaire will make enquiries at the local planning authority.

Property Market in Coastal Areas

23rd July 2024

The national association of French estate agents (FNAIM) has published a report on the property market in coastal areas of France.

FNAIM notes there are 520 municipalities with a coastline, and in them nearly half of the homes are secondary residences. One third of all second homes in France are located in a coastal area.

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21st July 2024

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14th Feb 2022

The tax breaks available in France to undertake the renovation of older housing for rent. UPDATED 20th July 2024.

French government support for the development of housing has traditionally been to grant tax relief on investment in new housing to rent.

Over the past 30 years there have been a hatful of schemes, all christened after the sponsoring government minister - Perissol, Besson, Robien, Demissine, Borloo, Scellier Duflot, Pinel, and Cosse.

Property Sales to Non Residents

19th July 2024

In line with the general market, sales to foreign non-residents fell last year, as did average sale prices.

According to a new report by French bank Crédit Commercial de France (CCF), sales to foreign non-residents fell by 14% last year to 14,256, down from 16,614 in 2022.

British Nationals Refused Entry to France

16th July 2024

A new report provides an insight on the number of British nationals refused entry to France in 2023, and the reasons given.

According to the latest figures from Eurostat, the EU statistical office, last year 195 British nationals were refused entry to France. Given that millions travel to France each year from the UK, unless you happen to be one of them, the number is not significant.

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14th July 2024

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French Driving Licence - Recovery of Points

13th July 2024

How to recover lost points in the French driving licence points system.

France's Most Polluted Beaches

10th July 2024

The 93 polluted beaches to avoid this summer.

France rightly has a strong reputation for the quality of its beaches, with the overwhelming majority of beaches suitable for bathing. You can find some of our favourites at Best Beaches in France

French Parliamentary Elections 2024

8th July 2024

Despite widespread relief that the predicted electoral victory for the extreme right did not materialise, they made substantial gains, and there are choppy waters ahead for France.

To the surprise of most commentators, it was the left-wing alliance (Nouveau Front Populaire - NFP) that came out ahead in the second round of the parliamentary elections, in terms of the number of seats, with the extreme right Rassemblement National (RN) relegated to third place.

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21st July 2024

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House Prices in Auvergne

4th July 2024

The housing market in Auvergne is one of the cheapest in France.

Taxe d'Habitation on Second Homes

2nd July 2024

The number of councils who have decided to apply a surtax on the local rates of second homes has risen sharply.

We reported last year on a change in the law concerning the taxe d’habitation on second homes (Taxe d’habitation sur les résidences secondaires - THRS )

Divorce, Separation and Financial Responsibilities

27th June 2024

The tax, property rights and obligations of separating couples have been altered by a new law.

The law aims to ensure ‘patrimonial justice within the family’ by introducing three new provisions governing the financial consequences of a separation.

Tax Service for Non-Residents

25th June 2024

The government acknowledges failures in the tax service to non-residents.

Non-residents who own income generating French property are required to use a dedicated office for their income tax declarations.

Taxe Foncière Bills by Department 2023

21st June 2024

The French tax authority have published the average annual taxe foncière bills payable in each department.

The taxe foncière is the main local rates, payable by all property owners.