Knowledge and Resources
Understanding Assurance Emprunteur: What Every French Property Buyer Should Know
Understanding Assurance Emprunteur: What Every French Property Buyer Should Know When financing property in France, mortgage loan insurance — known locally as assurance emprunteur — is not a peripheral add‑on. It is a core requirement of virtually all home loans. For many buyers, especially expatriates and high‑net‑worth individuals, this insurance can be one of the…
DPE 2026: What’s Changed and Why It Matters for French Property Buyers
DPE 2026: What’s Changed and Why It Matters for French Property Buyers From 1 January 2026, France implemented a significant update to the Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique (DPE)— the mandatory energy performance assessment that accompanies property sales and rentals. While the DPE has been evolving over recent years, the 2026 changes refine how energy efficiency is calculated,…
Can I Arrange a Mortgage If I Am Retiring to France?
Can I Arrange a Mortgage If I Am Retiring to France? Short answer: yes. Retiring to France doesn’t preclude you from accessing mortgage finance — in fact, French lenders regularly approve loans for retirees, both before and after relocation. The key lies in understanding how banks assess income sustainability, age thresholds, and legal residency. Encouragingly,…
Financing Rural French Property as a Non‑Resident
Financing Rural French Property as a Non‑Resident For international buyers, the dream of a farmhouse in the Dordogne or a retreat in the Creuse is often met with a harsh financial reality: the French mortgage market, while robust, becomes significantly more restrictive the further one moves from major urban centers. While non-residents can easily find…
Can I Arrange a French Mortgage with a Family Member?
For international buyers and non-residents, the French property market is a top-tier destination for both lifestyle and investment. One of the most common questions we receive is whether it is possible to co-borrow with a family member—such as a spouse, adult child, or sibling—to facilitate the purchase. The answer is yes, but with a significant…
Financing French Renovation and Remodelling as a Non‑Resident: What’s Really Possible?
For non-resident buyers, it is not only possible to finance renovation and remodelling works with a French mortgage, it is often a core part of how banks structure higher-end transactions. However, it is important to recognize that securing this type of financing can be challenging. Not all French banks accept the additional risk of financing…
Blog
USD/EUR in 2026: What the Exchange Rate Means for US Buyers of French Property
For US-based investors and expatriates, the USD/EUR exchange rate in 2026 will be a quiet but powerful driver of French property value and financing strategy. Currency moves can amplify returns or erode them, depending on how you structure your purchase and how you finance your acquisition. In this article, we outline the key USD/EUR dynamics…
GBP/EUR Exchange Rate Outlook for 2026: Strategic Financing for French Property Acquisitions
For UK residents eyeing French property in 2026, the GBP/EUR exchange rate remains a pivotal factor in assessing investment viability. Borrowing in euros offers a robust mitigation strategy against adverse rate movements, stabilising acquisition costs and long-term holding expenses. As of January 3, 2026, the GBP/EUR exchange rate trades at 1.148, consolidating a recent downward…
Blue Skies, Better Rates: French mortgage interest rate outlook for 2026
After two years of significant adjustment, 2026 marks a new era of normalization for the French mortgage market. For non-residents, expatriates, and international investors, the landscape has shifted from the “rate shock” of 2023–2024 to a predictable, stabilized environment. As we enter 2026, the key driver is no longer just the European Central Bank (ECB)…