French real estate is invariably popular with Russian citizens, even though it is one of the most expensive in Europe. Some buy objects for the purpose of profitably placing their funds, someone else for renting or personal use. 

At all times, vacation in France was considered a prestigious pastime. Cannes, Nice and the entire Cote d'Azur are in special demand. The cost of the most modest apartment here starts from 260 000 €, and villas can reach up to 2 million €.

Housing in the Alps, Chamonix, or Courchevel is often bought for rent. With the onset of the ski season, the demand for rentals breaks all records. Lake Geneva is another popular destination, where people come to relax and get treated in one of the many medical facilities. The cost of housing in the Lake Geneva area starts from 155 000 €.

The average cost of housing in different regions of France:

• Languedoc-Roussillon - dominated by old buildings priced from 375 000 € and apartments from 185 000 €.
• Alsace - a "student" place with an abundance of educational institutions. A lot of simple apartments with prices from 120 000 €.
• Aquitaine - a prestigious region, where it is good to invest in real estate to earn money. The cost of objects from 250 000 €.
• Paris - the capital's real estate is characterized by stable investment attractiveness. On average, the cost of apartments every 5 years increases by 30-40%. The average cost per m² at the end of 2022 was 14 500 -16 500 €. In different areas, the price can vary dramatically.
• Normandy and Brittany - are characterized by the most attractive real estate value. It is possible to find an apartment for 15 000 €.

The global real estate market has not always developed smoothly, and a serious test for him was in 2020. Strict quarantine restrictions related to the spread of coronavirus infection, as a consequence - a downturn in the economy. All this had a very ambiguous effect on the global real estate market.

Events in 2020 on the real estate market in France

Pessimistic forecasts of experts were not confirmed everywhere. Some states at the end of 2020 showed not only stability but also an increase in prices for square meters. Among such countries was France with a real estate value growth rate of 6.5%. Paradoxically, the reason for this was the pandemic, as well as the tightening of the rules for granting mortgages.

The last factor "took out of the game" is potential buyers of inexpensive objects on the secondary market. The real demand was made up of solvent subjects, most often interested in purchasing elite real estate. New buildings became more in demand. And since the construction was partially suspended for known reasons, there was a shortage of supply. As a consequence, prices increased.

During the first lockdown, in the spring of 2020, significantly reduced the number of transactions in the real estate market in France. But the undoubted plus for him was the "freezing" of prices at the pre-crisis level. The lifting of restrictions provoked an incredible jump in sales in the second half of the year. Contrary to expectations, the cost of real estate continued to grow both in megacities and small towns. In some places, this figure reached 16%. 

The average price per square meter of French real estate in 2020 was from 2770 to 2811 euros. The rise in prices, according to experts, has led to a reduction in the purchased area in many major cities (Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg, Dijon, Paris, etc.).

Is it worth buying real estate in France in 2024?

Real estate in France is a liquid asset, equally popular among foreign investors and locals. French legislation allows citizens of any country to freely buy, sell, rent, and lease real estate. The French real estate market, despite its stability, operates at different speeds, but real estate in France does not lose value. The cost of square meters is growing every year. On average, price growth is 8% per annum.

The liquidity of investments is confirmed by statistics - every quarter the cost of residential properties increases by an average of 1.1%. An apartment for 400,000 € in 5 years will cost 493,200 €, up almost 23%!

Even during the global crisis, real estate prices in France underwent a slight adjustment but did not collapse as rapidly as the market in Spain or Greece, for example. The most attractive regions in terms of investment - are the Alps, the Côte d'Azur, and Paris.

Citizens themselves prefer to invest in real estate in the country. About 43% of families own 1-2 apartments for long-term rent. Houses and townhouses are bought mainly for personal use, while apartments are for rental income.

The main aspects of buying real estate in France:

• there are no restrictions on the purchase of any objects for CIS citizens;
• any foreign resident (without residence permit, permanent residence permit, or other status) can execute the transaction;
• all transactions are carried out through a notary, acting as a guarantor for both parties;
• after the registration of ownership, the owner can apply for a visitor's visa;
• any transaction is carried out through a notary's deposit, to date, from some CIS countries, the money is credited to the account without problems.

Types of real estate in France

It is the French market that is characterized by the greatest diversity in Europe. You can buy an apartment up to 10m² in Paris - and it will be a full-fledged dwelling.

Apartments - apartments with several bedrooms and even two bathrooms. Palace apartments are luxurious dwellings typical of Paris and large cities. They are characterized by large size, high ceilings, and location in prestigious areas.  

Castles with centuries-old history, villas, cozy chalets, and old houses - these types of properties are also in demand in the market.

Real estate in Paris is interested in about 64% of potential investors planning to buy an object in France. This city is a clear favorite among foreign residents - they make up about 35% of all buyers.

Licensed agency GARANT.in works only with proven developers, agents, and objects. We have properties in all regions. And all properties in the country are insured against the risks of natural disasters.

We propose to familiarize ourselves with a selection of top objects in Paris and not only, which may be of interest to potential investors and those wishing to obtain a French residence permit

Paris 7 - Varenne Bellechasse

Beautiful quiet neighborhood in the heart of the capital. The location allows easy access to literally every corner of Paris. This 115 m² apartment is located on the third floor of a well-maintained building with an elevator. The apartment has a double living room with a luxurious view, two bedrooms opening onto a cozy enclosed courtyard, two bathrooms, and a kitchen with a laundry room. The apartment has plenty of space, all things can be placed comfortably, and there is a private basement.

Price - 1,865,000 €

Paris - Haut Montmartre

Luxury apartment in the heart of a green area of 115,90 m² with a private garden of 85 m². Quiet cozy location. The apartment has a double living room with three entrances, a separate kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a shower room with a toilet. The apartment is equipped with reversible air conditioning, a rarity in Paris. Additionally, the property has two cellars for storing personal belongings. It is possible to buy an additional parking space with direct elevator access for 150 000 €.

Paris 16 - apartment overlooking the Eiffel Tower

The apartment is located on the 5th floor of a secure condominium. Inside there are three spacious rooms, of which 2 are bedrooms.

The apartment is very bright and cozy and consists of an entrance hall, living room, open kitchen, and bedroom. The room has a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine. There is a spacious cellar for personal belongings. The total area of the apartment is 85,35 m².

The price is €1,180,000.

Paris 8 - Golden Triangle

Dreaming of living near the Champs Elysees in a central neighborhood? We offer you a dream apartment - 4th floor of a six-story building, 3 rooms: living room and 2 bedrooms. The total area is 51 m². The apartment has an entrance hall with an antique parquet, a living room with a fireplace, a kitchen, two bedrooms, a shower room, and a toilet. The house is very peaceful, in a quiet neighborhood. There is a spacious cellar for storing personal belongings.

The price is 655 000 €.

Nice - studio in Carré d'Or

If you do not like the hustle and bustle of the capital and want to live in a quieter place, look at a luxurious and cozy studio apartment with a mezzanine. Located in the heart of Carré d'Or, within walking distance of the sea, beaches, and the luxurious Promenade des Anglais. Guarded clean building with elevator, the apartment is on the first floor of a five-story building. In the apartment, you will find a custom-made kitchen, a mezzanine in the sleeping area, shower room. Additional bonuses: reversible air conditioning, double glazing, high ceilings, full furnishing, and appliances. Total area - 25 m².

Price - 239 000 €.

Nice - apartment in Carré d'Or

Another offer for connoisseurs of quiet places. The apartment is located on the third floor of a five-story building with south-west facing windows. The 33.26m² apartment has an entrance hall, a living room, a kitchen, a storage room for personal belongings, a bathroom, and a separate toilet. The apartment is located in Carré d'Or, within walking distance of the Promenade des Anglais. Nearby there are stores, transportation, and schools.

The cost - 220 000 €.

Steps for Buying Real Estate in France

After the final choice, the parties need to go through the following steps:

1. Conclusion of a preliminary agreement. The document is drawn up in French and legally secures the property for the seller, it can no longer be positioned as for sale. All important conditions are prescribed, information about the parties, the object of the transaction, the cost and method of payment, the date of sale is fixed, and signatures are put. During the execution, the presence of a licensed interpreter, notary, or real estate agency is mandatory. After signing the contract, the parties can not change the terms, or demand additional payment, discount, or revaluation. 
2. Transfer of advance payment. After signing, the buyer must transfer 10% of the price of the object to the special account of the notary within 7 calendar days. The payment must be made from a personal account, the funds are kept with the notary until the end of all settlements. After the transfer, the notary sends a notification to the buyer. From this point, a 7-day period begins during which the buyer can withdraw from the purchase without penalty. At the end of the 7 days, it is also possible to refuse, but with a deduction of the listed 10% down payment. If the seller refuses, the deposit is refunded in double the amount.
3. Verification of the property by a notary. In France, the notary is 100% responsible for the transaction and all calculations, his duties include checking the object: the presence of debts, searching for hidden defects, and the prospect of development of the selected area. If serious defects are found - this may be a reason to break the deal without withholding the advance payment from the buyer.
4. Payment of the deal. During the inspection of the object, the buyer must decide how exactly he will pay for the purchase: registration of a loan or transfer of personal funds to the account of the notary. For the services of a notary should be deducted about 7-8% of the price of the object. If the property is less than 3 years old, the amount will be reduced by 4-5%.
5. Registration of the acceptance certificate. After a full inspection of the object notary and the transfer of the client the entire amount, the final document is signed - Acte de Vente (the act of purchase and sale). The buyer must be present in person in France together with a translator.

After buying a property, the owner has to pay the following expenses: property tax, residence tax, luxury tax (if the value of the property exceeds 1,300,000 €), and utility bills.

French residence permit and immigration to France through the purchase of real estate

Buying French real estate does not entitle you to an automatic residence permit, but allows you to participate in obtaining a residence permit for financially independent persons. Annual passive income per applicant - a minimum of 36,000 €. After 5 years you can apply for permanent residence, and after another 5 years - for citizenship.

When applying for a residence permit owning real estate in France will be a significant advantage for the applicant. The more expensive and larger the object, the more loyal attitude to the applicant.