Second homes

French officials consider ideas to help second-home owners

An automatic conferral of long-stay rights may pose legal issues

Are French tax charges on foreign property rental income correct?

France should award tax credits in some situations

Is there a healthcare payment option for elderly second home owners in France?

Exploring insurance options and state healthcare access for British expats

practical

More second homes in France face higher tax under new proposal

Far-left proposal would see all communes able to levy additional surcharges on second-home tax

More French towns are imposing ‘empty home tax’ in 2024

Authorities in any town subject to housing pressure can consider levying the Taxe sur les logements vacants (TLV)

Second home US buyers resist French property slump

The second home market performed better than the domestic market according to notaire data for 2023

Protests in Brittany over high number of second homes and Airbnbs

A collective is denouncing the ‘active, aggressive promotion of second homes’ which represent 70% of properties in some communes

Can firewood be gathered in forests to heat French homes?

A set of strict and ancient rules govern wood collection on public land

Is a second home subject to gift tax in France?

Notaires are required to confirm the transaction

MAP: Which areas in France are most popular with second-home owners?

Hundreds of communes are dominated by second homes, with 70% or more of all properties only being used ocassionally

Is Starlink a good option for internet access in rural France?

Alternative internet access provider focuses on rural properties and ‘nomads’

What are the rules for ‘key boxes’ outside homes in France?

The rules depend on where you want to install the box, and whose property it is

Did you know French police can check your home when you are away?

Here is how to sign up for the service, as well as a special check for elderly people. Plus, advice on how to avoid ‘fake police’ scams

How to handle disputes with your neighbours in France

Problems due to messy gardens, noisy children and unauthorised constructions can easily spiral out of control

How can we cut off utilities at French second home from abroad?

Meter reading need to be taken to close most accounts

Are second homes in France more at risk of 'home-jacking'?

Home invasions are on the rise nationally

Do I need to sweep and insure an unused chimney in my French home?

New rules over chimney cleaning came into force at the end of 2023

Which foreign nationalities buy the most property in the Paris area?

And what has happened to British buyers?

Owners lend second homes so sick children in France get a holiday

We look at the charities matching holiday home owners with struggling families

How can I reduce the cost of home insurance in France?

Extra cover and location are two primary factors of higher annual charges

Fight continues to ease visa process for long visits to France

Campaigners are lobbying lawmakers about simplifications to the process – and are asking supporters to complete two surveys to gather experiences

Second homes in France: locals call for quotas

Campaigners in the Basque Country want a quota system to limit new second homes, councillors in Brittany propose housing priority for existing residents

How do I estimate the value of my rural home in France?

The market for older properties can be complex

How do I contact tax officials when I move to France?

As resident some taxes will no longer be payable, depending on your situation

7 key points on property market in France from new notaire data

Several areas are now predicted to see significant falls

What are the rules on foreign septic tanks in France?

Septic tanks are subject to official approval and regular inspections

What are the laws surrounding trespassing in France?

Trespassing rules are governed by the furnished condition of a house and can include any garden also

Do I have to wait six months after expiry to renew French VLS-T visa?

VLS-T visas are separate to Schengen Bloc visa-free access days

LIST: what was kept and what was rejected in French immigration law

Conseil constitutionnel rejected a third of items including an ‘automatic visa’ plan for Britons owning second homes - but approved increasing the level of French needed for certain residency cards

How do I release equity from my French property?

There are various loans available in France which look partially to the value of a property as security

France second-home visas: when is ruling due and when could it start?

The nine ‘sages’ of the Conseil constitutionnel are set to scrutinise the immigration law this week

Where are France's 3 million empty homes and why so many?

Vacancy rates are in double figures in some rural communes, but also in major cities

‘Dangerous’ trees, scams, vineyards to buy: French property round up

Our recap of recent property articles

Why are rural French houses so cheap?

Lack of demand by the French for countryside lifestyle, and state of properties are among the reasons

Can I get a discount for paying rent up front in France?

Some landlords may be willing to negotiate prices, but only under certain conditions

Second homes – France’s automatic visa plan: the next steps

Easy visits scheme for Britons will take some time so it is advisable not to put off visa applications this year

Automatic visa for second home visits: Senator feedback and questions

We talk to Senator Berthet about the next steps and answer queries

99 extra French communes declared drought disaster zones for 2022

People with affected properties have 30 days to make insurance claim

Noisy chickens, chimneys, renovations: French property round up

Our pick of property stories you may have missed

Visas, residency cards: What changes in France’s new immigration law?

Non-EU citizens, for example Americans or Britons, coming to France to live or work in France will be affected by several changes in the new law passed by parliament

‘We must help ease 90/180 rule for owners of French second-homes’

Senator from Savoie calls for your feedback on why more flexibility would benefit France

Automatic visa for easy second-home visits passed by French parliament

Law will help tens of thousands of Britons to spend longer in France as they could before Brexit

What happens next for law to ease second-home visits to France?

France’s immigration law, including help for British second-home owners, is been voted definitively but a few steps remain

Why are Americans not part of second-home easy visit plan in France?

Many Britons have written to French lawmakers over difficulties after Brexit

Immigration law rejected in France: is this the end of it?

Out of three possible options the government has chosen to call a ‘mixed commission’ of MPs and senators to look at the text

French immigration bill: What happens now to second-home visits plan?

As the bill moves forward for examination by a ‘mixed commission’ it is possible the ‘automatic visa’ proposal will remain

Flurry of new MP bids to ease visits to second homes in France

New bill amendments either call to bring back Senator Martine Berthet's 'automatic visa' idea or a version of it proposed by MP Alexandre Holroyd

New pool must go due to neighbour’s ‘protected view’ clause in France

Court rules property must be returned to original state in line with clause protecting a sea view in their property deeds

MP: I will resubmit a new proposal to ease visits to second homes

The president of the MPs’ France-UK friendship group says helping Britons ‘is essential’

Are Britons making a lot of demands on French prefectures?

We clarify which French officials are having to deal with different British applications post-Brexit

What changes for household budgets in December in France

We also look at key tax and other payment or benefit dates this month

French plan to ease second-home visits rejected: but may return

Several MPs want this restricted to those who purchased their homes pre-Brexit and for all people who live in the UK, not just Britons; independent and centrist MPs demanded its withdrawal

Update on plan to ease second-home visits and sample French MP letter

We look at progress in parliament on the ‘automatic visa’ law and a positive email from a majority party MP. We also provide detailed help for writing to your MP

Is Spain calling for easier second-home visits as French senators are?

Several media reports have linked the French ‘automatic visa’ proposal and alleged actions by Spain

Pools, insurance, tax bills: French property round up

Our review of recent property articles you might have missed

Stop stigmatising us during droughts, say pool owners in France

Pools only account for 0.06% of nation’s water usage, says industry federation

Brittany is the region which has most newcomers in France

A quarter of new arrivals come from the Paris area. Britons remain most numerous foreign group

Second-home Britons urged to ask their French MP for visa plan support

We explain what the Senate has put forward for British second-home owners and what goes to MPs on December 11 for final debate

How do we buy out our friends’ share of French property?

Providing everything is agreed amicably, the process should be quicker than a normal transaction. Helen Fullerton of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query