Property purchase in France: what additional costs should I expect?

Buying a property in France is exciting — but if you’re not familiar with the hidden costs, it can also be a bit stressful. Let’s go through them in detail.

Property purchase costs in France

The price of a property naturally depends on its location and type.

Dynamic coastal cities like Nice, Biarritz, or Bordeaux are very popular, so prices for houses are relatively high — starting around €5,000 per square meter and climbing much higher for luxury properties. On the other hand, rural areas like the picturesque Dordogne or Lot-et-Garonne can offer a beautiful country retreat for much lower prices.

One important detail: check whether the price stated by the seller includes realtor fees. Sometimes, these fees are charged to the buyer, and sometimes to the vendor. Also, look at energy performance diagnostics (DPE), which can affect both comfort and running costs.

Notarial charges in France

Notarial charges, or “frais de notaire,” are set by the French government and depend on a several  factors:

-       Location of the property: rates can slightly vary from one department to another.

-       Property purchase cost in France: the higher the price, the lower the percentage for notarial charges

-       Type of property: new houses generally have lower rates than resale properties or vacant land.

Some websites let you estimate notarial charges quite accurately. A reliable one is: ANIL Notarial Fees Calculator https://www.anil.org/outils/outils-de-calcul/frais-dacquisition-dits-frais-de-notaire/ 

Example: if you buy a resale property for €1,000,000 in Alpes-Maritimes (Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin), notarial charges will be around 7% of the property price. In Biarritz or Paris, they can reach about 7.5%. For a new property, expect around 2% in most of France.

Realtor fees / real estate commission

Unlike notarial charges, agency fees are not controlled by the government, so they can vary quite a lot. Typically, they are calculated as a percentage of the purchase price and range between 3% and 8%.

Tip: When dealing with a French agency, clarify upfront if the fees are included in the price or added on top. This avoids surprises later.

Taxes

Once you own the property, you’ll need to pay:

-       property tax (taxe foncière): an annual tax paid by the owner.

-       Residence tax (taxe d’habitation): applies only if your villa is a secondary residence

-       IFI – Impôt sur la Fortune Immobilière: due if the net value of your French property exceeds €1,300,000.

Tip for foreign buyers: Tax rules can be confusing if you’re not French-resident. Consider speaking with a French accountant experienced with international clients.

Property insurance

Your property must be insured from day one. At minimum, you’ll need home insurance (“assurance habitation”). Depending on your needs, additional coverage may be necessary — for example, natural disaster insurance if your villa is in a flood-prone or coastal area.

Condominium fees

If you’re buying an apartment in a co-owned building, condominium fees will also apply.

Construction / Renovation

If you plan to renovate or build on your new property, be aware that there will be many costs involved.

DN Architectes can help you understand all these costs and guide you through every step, making sure your project is carried out efficiently and elegantly.

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