Buying, selling, leasing and developing property, including advice for non-EU citizens and foreign investors.
Filter by specialisation
English speaking law firm in Paris with corporate litigation real estate and more. Experienced attorneys.
Recommended English-Speaking Lawyers in France. French lawyers ready to assist especially if youre an expat requiring legal support. English-speaking lawyers proficient in French.
Specialist France-based English-speaking lawyer specializing in French Property and Inheritance law. Qualified French solicitor with expertise in property transactions.
Buying/selling real-estate in France. Specialise in representing and advising English-speaking clients in relation to the legal process of buying or selling property.
English-speaking real estate lawyer in France helping understand best legal instruments for needs and ensuring planning aligns with requirements.
International law firm with strong Paris presence in corporate IP and real estate law. English-speaking team.
Global law firm with major Paris office serving multinational clients across all practice areas.
International law firm with strong Paris presence serving multinational companies and international clients.
International law firm with Paris office covering broad range of legal services for businesses.
International firm with Paris presence serving corporate and commercial clients.
Avocat in Lyon with expertise in family commercial and real estate law.
Regional firm with real estate and construction expertise
Port city specialist with maritime law expertise and international clients
Riviera property specialist for international clients including expats and high-net-worth individuals
Luxury property and international real estate
Entertainment and media law (Cannes film festival connection)
Monaco-based wealth management and banking law
Most European countries allow foreigners to purchase property, though some have restrictions for non-EU nationals. A real estate lawyer can advise on your specific situation.
Title searches, planning permission checks, mortgage encumbrance searches, and review of the sale contract. Always use an independent lawyer, not the seller's lawyer.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across France's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsBuying property in France involves droits de mutation (stamp duty under CGI art. 683), notaire émoluments calculated under décret 2016-230, and various administrative fees. Total acquisition costs typically range from 7–8% on old property and 2–3% on new-build VEFA.
| Département Type | Tax Départemental | Tax Communal | Frais Assiette | Total | Cost on €400k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard départements (92 of 101) | 4.5% | 1.2% | 0.1065% | 5.8065% | €23,226 |
| Reduced-rate départements (Indre, Isère, Morbihan, others) | 3.8% | 1.2% | 0.09% | 5.09% | €20,360 |
| Corse (Corsica) — CGI art. 1594 F quinquies | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | €0 (until end 2027) |
| New-build VEFA — TVA 20% paid at source | 0.7% | — | — | ~0.7% | €2,800 |
| Price Tranche | Rate HT | Rate TTC (×1.2 TVA) | Émolument on €380k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to €6,500 | 3.945% | 4.734% | €307.71 |
| €6,501 – €17,000 | 1.627% | 1.952% | €205.06 |
| €17,001 – €60,000 | 1.085% | 1.302% | €559.86 |
| Above €60,000 | 0.814% | 0.977% | €3,117.60 |
| Total notaire émolument (€380k) | — | ≈ €4,190 | |
Property: Appartement ancien (pre-1970), Bordeaux 33000, price €380,000 (standard Gironde — 5.8065%)
| Item | Cost |
| Droits de mutation (5.8065%) | €22,065 |
| Notaire émoluments (décret 2016-230) incl. TVA | €4,190 |
| Débours & frais administratifs (état hypothécaire, cadastre) | €850 |
| Contribution de sécurité immobilière (0.1%) | €380 |
| Agent immobilier honoraires (~3.5% included in price) | €0 (vendor-paid) |
| Avocat (optional, cross-border contract review) | €1,200–2,000 |
| TOTAL acquisition costs (excl. avocat) | ≈ €27,485 (7.2%) |
Key legal points: Compromis de vente gives 10-day cooling-off (loi SRU art. L. 271-1). Mortgage offer requires 11-day reflection period (Code de la consommation art. L. 313-34). Notaire holds funds in sequestre — never transfer directly to vendor. Non-residents face withholding tax on rental income (CGI art. 197 A — 20% flat rate on net rents).
| Holding Period | IR Abattement | PS Abattement | Effective CGT (IR 19% + PS 17.2%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–5 years | 0% | 0% | 36.2% |
| 6 years | 6% | 1.65% | 33.7% |
| 15 years | 60% | 16.5% | 17.2% |
| 22 years | 100% | — | 17.2% (PS only) |
| 30 years | 100% | 100% | 0% (fully exempt) |
Main residence: always exempt (CGI art. 150 U II 1°). Non-residents (EU/EEA): PS still applies (17.2%) unless covered by a bilateral social security agreement. Surtaxe on gains >€50,000: additional 2–6% (CGI art. 1609 nonies G).
