Local property taxes

French property owners pay annual local taxes — principally the taxe foncière, and in some cases the taxe d’habitation on second homes. These are set locally and vary by commune.

Capital gains on a sale (plus-value)

When a non-resident sells French property, French capital gains tax and social levies may apply, with reliefs that increase the longer you have owned the property. The notaire handling the sale calculates and withholds the tax due.

Wealth tax on real estate (IFI)

France taxes substantial real-estate wealth through the impôt sur la fortune immobilière (IFI). Non-residents are assessed on their French real estate; whether you are liable depends on its net value.

Inheritance and gift tax

French inheritance and gift tax can apply to French assets regardless of where you live, at rates depending on the relationship between the parties. Planning ahead — and using any relief available under the France–UK arrangements — can reduce the burden.

This page is general information, not personalised tax advice; thresholds and rates change.

Purchase costs

Beyond the tax of holding property, the purchase itself carries acquisition costs (transfer duty, notaire’s fees, taxes) — roughly 7–8% of the price for existing property, and much less for new-build. Estimate them with our purchase-cost calculator.

Selling as a non-resident: the three cases

When you resell property located in France, a levy on the capital gain is due from a non-resident seller (Art. 244 bis A of the CGI). The applicable regime depends above all on the status of the seller.

1. The seller is an individual (natural person)

The net gain is subject to a levy of 19% (Art. 244 bis A, III bis of the CGI), whatever the country of residence — raised to 75% if the seller is resident in a non-cooperative State or territory (ETNC, Art. 238-0 A of the CGI). Social levies of 17.2% also apply, reduced to a 7.5% solidarity levy only for persons affiliated to a social-security scheme of the EEA, Switzerland or the United Kingdom. The gain benefits from taper reliefs for length of ownership (full income-tax exemption after 22 years, social-levies exemption after 30 years) and, for EEA nationals previously French-tax-resident for at least two years, a €150,000 capped exemption (Art. 150 U II 2° of the CGI).

2. The seller is a company (legal entity)

Where the seller is a company established outside France, the gain is taxed at the corporate income-tax rate, the Art. 244 bis A levy being set off against the corporation tax due. The taxable base differs from that of individuals: a 2% annual depreciation is applied to the cost of the buildings, with no taper relief and none of the standard allowances (7.5% for acquisition costs, 15% for works). The rate is likewise raised to 75% for companies established in a non-cooperative State.

3. The seller is a partnership (e.g. a “translucent” SCI)

The partnership files the return, but the tax is assessed at the level of each partner, according to their share and status: individual partners fall under the regime for individuals (19%, reliefs, exemptions), while foreign corporate partners fall under the company regime (corporate-tax rate).

The accredited tax representative

A non-resident seller must in principle appoint an accredited tax representative, except: a seller resident in the EU/EEA (with an assistance convention); a sale price of €150,000 or less (per seller); or a sale exempt on length-of-ownership grounds. For companies established outside the EEA, the appointment is in principle systematic.

Sources: Art. 244 bis A, 150 U II 2° and 150 V of the CGI; BOFiP BOI-RFPI-PVINR; impots.gouv.fr. General information, not exhaustive and not personalised advice; we analyse your situation.