Buying in Nice: what overseas buyers should know
Nice is the largest city on the Cote d'Azur and one of the most practical places to own on the French Riviera. It combines a working city with a seafront setting, an old town, and its own international airport. Buyers are drawn by the year-round life, the direct UK flights, and a property market that runs from period apartments to villas in the hills. Purchasers include holiday-home owners, investors and those making a permanent move to the coast.
What buyers are looking for in Nice
Nice offers more choice and better access than many Riviera towns, with strong demand for apartments near the seafront and in the old town, Vieux Nice. The Belle Epoque buildings of the city centre, the residential hills of Cimiez and Mont Boron, and the streets behind the Promenade des Anglais each draw their own buyers. Apartments with a balcony or sea view are especially sought after. A local partner agent can guide you between the districts and their very different characters.
Buying as an overseas buyer
UK buyers can own freely in France. Since Brexit, visits are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area without a visa, with a long-stay visa for longer. A notaire oversees the purchase, with a deposit and a short cooling-off period, and fees paid through the notaire are higher on older resale homes than on new-build. Ongoing costs include the annual taxe fonciere, plus taxe d'habitation on second homes, with a surcharge in some areas. French banks lend to non-residents, usually with a larger deposit than a resident would need. Take local advice on your circumstances. Start your search to see property for sale in Nice, or contact our team to be connected with a local partner agent.
Where to find property for sale in Nice
Nice divides into clear districts. Vieux Nice, the old town, is a warren of streets with apartments above cafes and markets, while the Carre d'Or behind the Promenade des Anglais holds elegant period flats. For views and space, the hills of Cimiez, Mont Boron and Fabron offer villas and larger apartments above the city. As the anchor of the Cote d'Azur, Nice also puts the rest of the Riviera, including Cannes, within easy reach.
Property here is mostly apartments, from old-town flats to Belle Epoque residences and modern homes with sea views, alongside hillside villas for those who want a pool and garden. Buyers choosing between a central base and a quieter hillside address will find both within the city. Explore our collections to shortlist by the way you want to live.
