A question about your project in France? Book a free 30-minute call with Audrey.
Book my call
British buyers remain one of the largest groups of international purchasers in France — and the Côte d'Azur is high on their list. But since Brexit, the process involves a few extra steps: how long you can stay, how banks assess a UK income, and what paperwork to expect. The good news: none of this blocks a purchase. Here is what has actually changed, and how to prepare a strong mortgage application as a UK resident.
Can British citizens still buy property in France?
Yes, without any restriction. France places no limits on foreign ownership, and Brexit did not change your right to buy. What changed is not the purchase itself, but your status when you stay in the country, and how French banks look at a UK-based file.
The 90/180-day rule and visas
As a UK national, you can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area without a visa. For a holiday home used a few weeks a year, that is usually enough. If you plan to spend more time in France — remote working from Nice for a full summer, or retiring to the Riviera — you will need a long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) and, depending on your plans, a residence permit. This does not affect your mortgage application directly, but banks will ask how you intend to use the property.
How French banks assess a UK income
French banks lend to non-residents, including UK residents, but they apply their own framework. In practice:
- Your UK income is converted and assessed in euros; banks apply a cautious exchange-rate margin to protect against currency movements.
- The French debt-to-income framework applies: your total monthly debt payments, including the new French mortgage, should generally stay within about a third of your income.
- A larger deposit is typically expected from non-residents than from French residents — often around 20 to 30 % of the purchase price, plus purchase costs.
- Employed applicants with a stable UK employer usually find the process smoother than the newly self-employed, though both are possible with the right preparation.
The documents you will need
- Passport and proof of address (recent utility bill or council tax statement).
- Last three months of payslips and your most recent P60, or two to three years of accounts and SA302s if you are self-employed.
- Last three months of bank statements for all accounts.
- Details of existing loans, mortgages and credit commitments in the UK.
- The signed reservation contract or compromis de vente once you have found the property.
Most banks accept documents in English, but some will ask for certified translations of key items. A broker who regularly handles UK files knows which banks are flexible and which are not — this alone can save weeks.
Currency: the silent factor in your budget
Your income is in pounds, your mortgage in euros. Between the accepted offer and completion, the exchange rate can move your real budget by several percent. Many UK buyers use a currency specialist to lock in a rate for the completion payment, and some choose to fund part of the purchase in sterling held in reserve. It is also worth deciding early whether you want to repay the loan from a UK account or open a French bank account — the latter is usually required by the lender anyway.
Tax points to be aware of
Buying in France creates French tax touchpoints even if you remain a UK tax resident: the taxe foncière (property tax) every year, the taxe d'habitation if the property is a second home, and French income tax if you rent the property out. If you later sell, French capital gains rules apply, with the UK–France double taxation treaty preventing you from being taxed twice on the same gain. A notary handles the French side at completion; for your UK position, a quick conversation with a cross-border tax adviser is money well spent.
A realistic timeline
From an accepted offer to the final signature at the notary, allow roughly two to three months. The mortgage stage is usually the longest: bank review, valuation, formal offer, then the mandatory cooling-off period before you can accept it. Starting your financing preparation before you make an offer — documents gathered, borrowing capacity confirmed — is the single best way to keep the timeline short and your offer credible with sellers.
In summary
Brexit added admin, not barriers. As a UK buyer you can still purchase freely in France, and French banks still lend — provided the file is well prepared: a solid deposit, clean bank statements, clear documentation of your UK income. Working with a broker based on the Côte d'Azur who handles British files every month means your application lands on the right desk, in the right format, the first time. If you are planning a purchase, book a call before you start viewing: knowing your exact budget in euros changes the way you negotiate.