Buying in Paris: what overseas buyers should know
Paris is one of the world's most sought-after property markets, and its appeal to overseas buyers rarely fades. Most buyers here are looking for an apartment, from a compact pied-a-terre to a family-sized home in a period Haussmann building, whether as a permanent base, a second home or a long-term investment. The city is organised into numbered arrondissements, each with its own character, and demand for well-located apartments remains consistent across the market.
What buyers are looking for in Paris
The Paris market is overwhelmingly an apartment market, with classic Haussmann buildings, their high ceilings, parquet floors and balconies, among the most prized. Period apartments sit alongside modern developments and converted buildings, and values vary considerably by arrondissement and by proximity to the river, parks and Metro. Central and western districts tend to command the highest prices, while eastern and northern areas offer more room for the money. Buyers value light, floor, outlook and character, and well-restored homes are always in demand.
Buying as an overseas buyer
UK buyers can own property in Paris freely. 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 periods. A notaire oversees the purchase, taking a deposit and observing 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, and French banks lend to non-residents, usually with a larger deposit than a resident would need. Start your search to see property for sale in Paris, or contact our team to be connected with a local partner agent.
Where to find property for sale in Paris
Choice in Paris comes down to arrondissement and lifestyle. The Left Bank, taking in Saint-Germain-des-Pres, the Latin Quarter and the streets around the Eiffel Tower, is known for elegant period apartments and a literary, cafe-lined character. The Right Bank offers the grand avenues of the west, the boutiques of the Marais, and the village feel of Montmartre. Each district carries its own price level and atmosphere.
Buyers after a central pied-a-terre often focus on the older arrondissements near the river, while families tend to look toward the leafier western districts and the areas near parks and good schools. Property is almost always an apartment, from studios to large family homes, with the occasional town house or atelier. Explore our collections to shortlist by the way you want to live.
