“Is it easy to buy property in France from the UK?” It’s a question we’re asked regularly. And the answer is yes whether you are resident or not! There are no restrictions on Brits buying property in France. The process is a bit different to the UK though and we asked Calum Harkiss of the French Property Show to take us through the French property buying .
Find your property
Buying in property in France as a Brit is absolutely possible and relatively easy. Although less people are buying in France than pre-Brexit, it’s estimated that there are around 60,000 British second homeowners in France and 172,312 Brits living in France with permits as at January 2026.
Brits living in France prior to Brexit were issued with a special fast track residency permit in 2020/2021. Since Brexit, you’ll need a visa to move to France and some 30,000 Brits have been issued with cartes de sejours (residency permits), according to French Interior Ministry data.
Your first step to a second home in, or moving to, France is finding your dream property. Browse on the internet, visit in person, or come along to the French Property Show, held twice a year in Cheltenham, to meet with agents and get great advice – not just on buying but visas, healthcare, insurance, tax, legal, finance and currency transfers – all aspects of buying and living in France.
The buying process
There are no legal restrictions on foreign buyers owning homes in France. The property-buying process, however, is rooted in centuries-old legal traditions. The notaire – part solicitor, part public official – plays a central role to make sure everything is carried out according to the rules and you’ll find it’s a system designed for security rather than speed.
Once you’ve found your dream home, you’ll sign a compromis de vente—a preliminary contract that locks in the deal. You have a 10-day cooling-off period where you can pull out with no repercussions. After that the notaire carries out legal checks, paperwork (a lot of it) is prepared and usually around 3 months later you’ll sign the final deed – the acte de vente).
It’s fairly straightforward really but there are some things I really recommend to help you make the process go smoothly:
- A bilingual estate agent is invaluable if your French doesn’t yet stretch beyond un café, s’il vous plaît. All the agents at the French Property Show are bilingual
- And while the seller usually appoints a notaire, who helps both parties – this is usual – you can also appoint your own notaire and if you aren’t fluent in French and don’t have an English-speaking estate agent to support you and English-speaking notaire may be preferable (and available at the French Property Show). Having independent legal advice ensures you understand every clause. And believe me, some clauses can be… unexpectedly specific.
- Budget beyond the purchase price: Currency exchange fluctuations can make a very big difference to the price. Start thinking about currency exchange early – it can save you thousands by using a reputable company like Forex Transfers.
- Check practicalities like drainage (fosse septique) and planning permissions before you sign on the dotted line.
A Brilliant Place to Start: The French Property Show
If you’re at the dreaming, planning, or nearly-there stage, then head to the French Property Show. You’ll find a wealth of experts under one roof: estate agents, notaires, currency specialists, visa advisers, and more. It’s a rare chance to ask all those niggling questions face-to-face.
And there are seminars covering topics including:
- Buying property in France step-by-step
- Currency exchange strategies
- Applying for visas and residency
- Renovation advice and legal essentials
The French Property Show is friendly and practical with knowledgeable experts who help you through a process that can at times feel a little overwhelming. Buying a home in France isn’t just a transaction, and it’s not just about a building – it’s the beginning of a new life.
Head to the French Property Show, and turn your French dream into reality.
Tickets are free: thefrenchpropertyshow.com
