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Yes. Foreign nationals can release equity from a French property. Nationality is never the deciding factor. Tax residence is. If you are a foreign national who lives in France and pays tax in France, you can obtain a mortgage-backed loan and borrow up to 70% of your property value, exactly like a French citizen. If you own a French property but live and pay tax abroad, you cannot, whatever the value of the property. A deferred-price sale may then apply, provided you are selling.
PraxiFinance, specialist in property-backed finance in France since 1990, structures both.
The rule in one line
French law makes no distinction based on nationality. A British, American, Belgian or Swiss owner has exactly the same rights over a French property as a French owner.
What determines your financing options is where you are a tax resident.
If you are a foreign national resident in France
You are eligible for a mortgage-backed loan under the same conditions as anyone else.
You live in France and are a tax resident in France.
Your property is in metropolitan France and worth at least 300,000 euros.
You borrow at least 100,000 euros, up to 70% of the property value.
Your household income is at least 4,000 euros per month, and at least three times the future monthly repayment.
The property is held in your own name, not through an SCI.
Rate 5.7% per year for an amortising loan, up to 25 years. Arrangement fee 8.5% of the amount borrowed.
Worked examples
Property worth 1,000,000 euros, loan of 200,000 euros over 25 years. Monthly repayment 1,252 euros. Arrangement fee 17,000 euros, so you receive 183,000 euros.
Property worth 300,000 euros, loan of 100,000 euros over 10 years. Monthly repayment 1,095 euros. Arrangement fee 8,500 euros, so you receive 91,500 euros.
Case study
John and Margaret are British citizens. They have lived in Provence for years, are tax residents in France, and own their villa outright. They wanted to help their children financially and buy a boat. Their bank declined a standard loan because of their age.
PraxiFinance structured a mortgage-backed loan of 300,000 euros secured on their villa. They remained full owners and kept the property in their estate.
The deciding factor was not their nationality. It was that they live in France, pay tax in France, and their income covered the repayment. A British couple living in London, owning the same villa, would not have been eligible.
If you are a foreign national living abroad
A mortgage-backed loan is not available to you. This is structural, not a matter of preparation or documentation.
French banks lend against French property to French tax residents. A bank cannot easily assess, or enforce against, income earned in another jurisdiction. Foreign banks, for their part, do not lend against foreign assets. You fall between two systems.
No broker can change this. Any provider telling you otherwise is either misinformed or not licensed to operate in France.
See non-resident mortgage in France.
The solution for non-resident owners
If you are selling your French property, or intend to sell it, a deferred-price sale lets you receive an advance now rather than waiting for a buyer. The property is sold to an investor at an agreed price below market value, and you receive the funds immediately. When the property is resold on the open market, you receive the difference, less the investor's fee.
It is assessed on the property, not on your income. Your country of residence is not an obstacle. It can also be structured on a property held through an SCI, unlike a mortgage-backed loan.
Eligibility: the property is in metropolitan France and worth at least 300,000 euros, held in your own name or through an SCI, and you are selling or intend to sell.
If your property has been on the market without an offer, see what to do if your property is not selling in France.
One point for non-resident sellers
If you are not resident in the European Union or the European Economic Area and you sell a French property above a certain value, French tax rules may require you to appoint an accredited tax representative. This applies to British owners since Brexit. It has a cost and it lengthens the timeline. Your notary will confirm whether it applies to your file.
The same legal protection for everyone
Foreign nationals receive exactly the same legal protection as French citizens for property located in France. Every operation is authenticated by a notary, a state-appointed public officer bound by impartiality, and registered in the land registry.
The final deed is in French, as required by law, but it is explained line by line before signature. PraxiFinance provides bilingual drafts in advance. See safe equity release in France.
Why owners prefer not to sell
For international owners, a French property often represents more than an investment. It anchors family traditions, supports retirement plans, or reflects a long-term European strategy.
Selling can feel disproportionate when the objective is simply to access liquidity. See equity release in France, borrow against property in France and property rich but cash poor in France.
About PraxiFinance
PraxiFinance has specialised exclusively in property-backed finance since 1990, with offices in Paris and Nice. The firm is registered with ORIAS under number 13005512 and operates within the regulatory framework of the ACPR.
It processes more than 4,000 financing requests per month and publishes the only recurring barometer of the French property-backed lending market. It is regularly cited as a market reference by Les Echos, La Tribune, Le Monde and BFM. See best equity release companies in France.
English-speaking advisers handle files for international owners.
Call +33 1 85 09 70 40 to check your eligibility.
FAQ
Can foreigners release equity in France?
Yes, if they are tax residents in France. Nationality is not a criterion. Tax residence is.
I am British and I live in France. Am I eligible?
Yes, if your property is worth at least 300,000 euros and your household income is at least 4,000 euros per month.
I am British and I live in London. Am I eligible?
Not for a mortgage-backed loan. If you are selling your French property, a deferred-price sale may apply.
Does my nationality affect the interest rate?
No. The rate is 5.7% per year for an amortising loan, whatever your nationality.
Can I use a property held through an SCI?
Not for a mortgage-backed loan. Properties held through an SCI are eligible for a deferred-price sale.
Will I understand the documents?
The final deed is in French, as the law requires, but PraxiFinance provides bilingual drafts and the notary explains every clause before signature.
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