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Purchase costs in France

Purchase costs in France When you're planning to buy a property in France, you should also budget for the purchase costs involved.

They're easy to overlook, so you will need to make sure that you understand exactly what the costs are before you put in an offer.

We've outlined the kinds of costs, and how much you should expect to pay, below.

How much are fees when buying property in France?

As a general rule, you should budget for between 7-8% on top of the purchase price for notary's fees and tax.

The tax (which is effectively stamp duty) represents approximately 5.5% of this amount and the rest is the notary's fee. The seller doesn't contribute to the notary's fees, and the fees and tax are payable via the notary’s account on completion of the purchase.

Additional notary fees will be charged if you are also obtaining a French mortgage to assist with the financing of the purchase. You should expect to pay additional notary fees of 0.5 -1% of the amount of the loan for the notary to receive loan instructions from the bank and register a charge over the property in favour of the bank (on top of the tax you'll already be paying).

What are the fees for buying a new build?

For new build and off plan purchases the costs you'll need to pay during the purchase process are considerably less - you can expect to pay approximately 2.5% of the purchase cost.

FAQs: Purchase Costs in France

How much does it cost to buy a house in France?

In addition to the purchase price of property for sale in France, buyers should budget around 7–10% extra for fees and taxes. This includes notary fees, stamp duty, and administrative costs.

What are notary fees when buying property in France?

Notary fees (frais de notaire) usually range from 2–3% of the purchase price for new-builds and 7–8% for older homes. These cover stamp duty, registration taxes, and the notary’s legal fees when buying property for sale in France.

Do you pay stamp duty when buying a house in France?

Yes. Stamp duty in France is included within the notary fees. It typically makes up the largest portion of purchase costs, averaging around 5–6% of the property price.

What other costs are involved in buying a property in France?

Other costs can include estate agent fees (often paid by the seller), mortgage arrangement fees if financing the purchase, and ongoing property taxes. Buyers of property for sale in France should also budget for utilities, insurance, and renovation costs if applicable.

How do purchase costs in France compare to the UK?

Purchase costs in France are generally higher upfront (due to notary and stamp duty fees), but ongoing property taxes can be lower than in the UK. Many international buyers still find property for sale in France attractive because house prices are often significantly cheaper than in the UK in rural areas.