Expat and Non-Resident Mortgages in France: A Practical Guide

French banks lend to non-residents routinely. The process is slower and the paperwork heavier than a domestic application, but the criteria are published and predictable, which means you can prepare for them. This guide covers what is actually required.

Yes, non-residents can borrow in France

There is no legal barrier to a non-resident obtaining a French mortgage, and several banks have departments dedicated to international clients who work in English. What differs is the risk assessment. A lender cannot easily verify foreign income or pursue a defaulting borrower abroad, so it compensates by asking for a larger deposit and more documentation.

Deposit expectations

Borrower profile	Typical maximum loan
French resident, French income	Up to 90 per cent, occasionally more
EU resident, EU income	Commonly 80 per cent
Non-EU resident (UK, US, Middle East, Asia)	Commonly 70 to 80 per cent

These are indicative ranges rather than rules. A strong application with substantial assets can improve on them, and a marginal one can be offered less.

The documents you will be asked for

Expect to provide, translated where the bank requires it:

Passport and proof of address
The last three years of tax returns from your country of residence
Three to six months of payslips, or company accounts if self-employed
Three to six months of statements for every bank account you hold
Statements for all existing loans, including mortgages abroad
The signed preliminary sale contract (compromis de vente)
Proof of the origin of your deposit funds

Start gathering documents before you make an offer. The compromis de vente usually allows a limited window to obtain financing, often around 45 days. Applicants who begin collecting paperwork after signing routinely find themselves requesting extensions.

The currency question

If you are paid in a currency other than the euro, be aware that your repayments are in euros while your income is not. A movement in the exchange rate changes what the loan costs you in real terms, and lenders often apply a discount to foreign-currency income when calculating your ratio precisely because of this risk. It is worth deciding in advance how much exchange-rate movement you could absorb.

The clause suspensive protects you

French practice includes a financing condition in the preliminary contract. If you apply in good faith and are refused, the sale is cancelled and your deposit is returned. This protection is standard, but it depends on you applying within the stated period and being able to show the refusal. Waiving it to make your offer more attractive means putting your deposit genuinely at risk.