For many senior homeowners in France, their property is their most significant asset. The Prêt Viager Hypothécaire (PVH)—often referred to as a Lifetime Mortgage or Reverse Mortgage—is a sophisticated financial tool designed to transform that “frozen” home equity into liquid capital, without requiring you to sell your home or move.

However, this is a bespoke solution with specific entry requirements. Most notably, this arrangement is exclusively available to fiscal residents of France; it is not open to non-resident owners.

Eligibility: The Gold Standard

To access this specialized credit of treasury, certain benchmarks must be met:

• Fiscal Residency: You must be a resident fiscal Frenchman or woman. This solution is tailored specifically for those living and paying taxes in France.
• Nationality: Borrowers must hold EU or UK nationality.
• Age Profile: This is a solution for seniors, with a minimum entry age of 70 years old and no upper age limit.
• Property Ownership: You must hold 100% full ownership (pleine propriété) of the property. It cannot be owned through an SCI or a split-title (usufruit) arrangement.
• Valuation: The property must be located in Metropolitan France and typically requires a valuation exceeding €300,000 to be viable for this specific product.

Strategic Advantages

The Lifetime Mortgage is not just a loan; it is a strategic pillar for retirement planning:

• Zero Monthly Outgoings: Enjoy the capital now with no monthly repayments of principal or interest. Interest is capitalized annually, meaning your monthly cash flow remains completely untouched.
• Title Security: You remain the sole legal owner of your home. There is no “viager” sale involved; you retain the deed and the right to live there for life.
• The Inheritance Safeguard: By law, the total amount to be repaid is capped at the value of the property at the time of sale. This No Negative Equity Guarantee ensures your heirs are never burdened with a debt larger than the asset’s value.
• Purpose-Free Capital: Whether you wish to fund a new project, supplement your lifestyle, or use the “Protection Transmission” feature to gift an early inheritance to grandchildren, the funds are yours to use as you see fit.
• Total Control: Repayment is only due when the property is sold, or upon the death of the last surviving borrower. Furthermore, you always retain the right to settle the loan early if your circumstances change.

By leveraging your French residence, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: staying in the home you love while accessing the wealth you’ve built within its walls.