Buying in France: the international buyer guide
Plan your purchase on the French Riviera: find the right location, understand the buying process and prepare each step with the right professionals.
Get the PDF guideKnow what to prepare before you buy
- Find your setting: Cannes, Nice, the Mediterranean coast, the hinterland or the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
- Prepare your financing and documents covering identity, family status and the source of your funds.
- Understand the purchase process, from your offer to signing the final deed with the notaire.
- Know which checks to discuss: diagnostics, easements, planning permissions and co-ownership.
Free PDF guide in English. Your contact details remain confidential.
Get your free buyer guide
Receive The International Buyer Guide by Michaël Zingraf: 14 pages in English to help you prepare a purchase in France, with a focus on the French Riviera.
A guide for your plans in France
- Buyers looking for a second home or a pied-à-terre on the French Riviera.
- Families and individuals preparing to relocate to France.
- International investors who want to understand the acquisition process.
Inside the guide
Practical guidance from your initial search brief to the handover of the keys, with links to official sources for further reading.
- French Riviera locations and the criteria to consider for your way of life, budget and intended use.
- The transaction steps, the role of the notaire, contractual conditions and acquisition costs.
- The distinctions between property ownership, permission to stay and tax residence, plus practical steps for remote signing and settling in.
Michaël Zingraf Real Estate
Rooted in Cannes since 1977
Your advisor helps you focus your search, prepare your offer and coordinate the steps of your purchase. Depending on your plans, they introduce the professionals you need: a notaire, mortgage broker, wealth advisor or architect.
The guide provides general orientation. Discuss legal, tax and financing questions with the relevant professionals, based on your individual circumstances.
Get the PDF guideBefore you buy: your questions
Can a foreign buyer purchase property in France?
Yes. Residents and non-residents can generally acquire property in France. Your notaire checks legal capacity, ownership arrangements and any restrictions that apply to your circumstances or the transaction.
Does buying property give me the right to live in France?
Buying a home does not itself grant a visa or residence rights. Requirements depend on your nationality and the length of your stay. Tax residence is a separate question, assessed according to your circumstances and any applicable treaties.
What costs should I allow for beyond the purchase price?
Acquisition costs mainly include taxes and duties, along with the notaire’s fees and administrative expenses. Depending on your plans, also allow for financing, insurance, works and maintenance. Ask the professionals involved for a detailed budget.
Can I arrange my purchase from abroad?
You can prepare some of the steps remotely. If you cannot attend the signing, ask your notaire whether a power of attorney is suitable for your transaction. Allow time for identity checks, any translations and fund transfers.
Which language is the guide available in?
The International Buyer Guide by Michaël Zingraf is a 14-page PDF in English. It covers buying in France with a focus on the French Riviera and includes links to official sources.