First Home Buyer Guide in France 2026

Your First Home in France — Where to Start

Buying your first home in France is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make. The process can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into clear steps makes it manageable. This guide covers everything from saving your deposit to collecting the keys.

Saving for Your Deposit

Most lenders in France require a deposit of 10-20% of the property price. The more you save, the better your loan terms and the less you pay in additional costs.

Open a PEL (Plan d’Épargne Logement) — a regulated savings account specifically for property purchase. After 4 years, you earn the right to a preferential mortgage rate. A CEL (Compte d’Épargne Logement) offers more flexibility with shorter lock-in. Both products demonstrate savings discipline to lenders

Government Support for First-Time Buyers

The Prêt à Taux Zéro (PTZ) is a zero-interest government loan covering up to 40% of the purchase price for first-time buyers of new-build or heavily renovated properties. Income limits apply by zone and household size. The PAS (Prêt d’Accession Sociale) offers subsidised rates for lower-income buyers. Action Logement provides employer-assisted loans at reduced rates for employees of companies with 10+ staff

Check our government grants guide for the full list of current programmes and eligibility requirements.

Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Pre-approval tells you exactly how much you can borrow and shows sellers you are a serious buyer. In France, the process works as follows.

Use a courtier (mortgage broker) — services like Meilleurtaux, Cafpi, and Empruntis compare across all major banks for free or low cost. The courtier handles your dossier and negotiates on your behalf. Get an accord de principe (agreement in principle) before signing the compromis de vente

Use our mortgage calculator to model different scenarios before applying. Read our mortgage types guide to understand which loan product suits your situation.

Understanding the Full Cost of Buying

The purchase price is just the beginning. Budget for additional costs that can add significantly to your total outlay.

Frais de notaire dominate buying costs: 7-8% for existing properties (droits de mutation/registration taxes plus notary fees) or 2-3% for new builds (reduced tax rate). Read our buying costs guide for a complete breakdown of every expense.

Common First-Time Buyer Mistakes

Not checking PTZ eligibility before committing to a property (the loan must be for a new build or qualifying renovation in an eligible zone), underestimating frais de notaire (7-8% for existing properties), exceeding the 35% taux d’endettement (debt-to-income) limit which is strictly enforced, and not using the mandatory 10-day reflection period on the mortgage offer to compare alternatives

Avoid these pitfalls by taking your time, doing thorough research, and leaning on qualified professionals throughout the process. Our property inspection checklist covers what to check before committing.

Your Step-by-Step Timeline

The typical first home purchase follows these stages: establish your budget and savings target, explore government support options, get pre-approved for financing, search for the right property, make an offer, complete legal due diligence and inspections, and finalise settlement.

Our property buying guide walks through each stage in detail, and our mortgage guide covers everything about financing.

Next Steps

Ready to start? Use our mortgage calculator to see what you can afford, browse France FAQs for quick answers, or explore our full property buying guide.