France's NEW RULES for buying property as an expat (2026)

▶ Book a chat with us to explore your options about moving to France: https://bit.ly/49fHSvu ▶ Prefer a 1-to-1 consultation with our Founder, Richard?: https://bit.ly/4dt7hnY ▶ Get your FREE 90-day plan for moving to France: https://bit.ly/3QMFSVl ▶ Use our Region Matcher Service to find the perfect place to live in France: https://bit.ly/4tnfgaT Buying property in France is very different from buying property in the UK, the USA, Australia or anywhere for that matter! And if you get the wrong advice, it can become expensive, stressful, and legally complicated very quickly. In this episode, Alex Ghigo, Legal Advisor at French Connections HCB, is joined by Notaire for international clientele Ellen Brisorgueil to explain exactly why choosing the right notary matters when moving to France. They break down the French property-buying process step by step, explain what a notary actually does in France, and reveal some of the biggest mistakes international buyers make when purchasing French property, handling inheritance, and planning their move. In this video, you’ll learn: Why a notary is legally required when buying property in France Why French notaries are completely different from UK and US notaries What happens during the French property buying process How long buying a home in France normally takes Why inheritance law in France catches so many foreigners out What “forced heirship” means for UK and US buyers Why wills written in the UK or USA may not work the way you expect in France How remote property purchases and power of attorney work The tax implications of owning a property in France Why building the right professional team before moving to France is essential Ellen also explains why international buyers need specialists who understand both French civil law and English common law systems — especially when it comes to inheritance, taxation, trusts, residency, and protecting family assets correctly. If you’re planning to retire, relocate, invest, or buy property in France, this episode will help you avoid some of the most common and costly mistakes people make when moving abroad. 0:00 What you need to know about buying property in France 0:27 Why you need a notary in France 1:30 Are French notaries neutral? 2:13 Who pays the notary fees? 2:56 The French property buying process explained 4:09 How long buying a property in France takes 4:27 The biggest hurdles buyers will face when buying property in France 5:35 How French Connections works with a Notaire 6:29 Common misconceptions foreigners make when working with Notaries 7:16 Can you buy property remotely in France? 8:34 Property taxes in France for foreigners explained 9:19 Forced heirship and inheritance law in France explained 11:03 Why international buyers need specialist advice 11:46 What happens if you already have a UK or US will? 12:45 Ellen’s top advice for moving to France and buying property in France 🇫🇷 Thinking of moving to France? From a one-off solution to a full-service package. We’ve helped thousands of clients successfully settle in France. Everybody’s story is different, so our relocation services are tailored to your specific needs. From applying for a visa to setting up a business or renovating a property, our expert team can handle it all. https://bit.ly/4lextDZ -- 🇫🇷 Watch Next: Why This American Couple Moved to France at 50:    • Why this American couple moved to France a...   Ready to Retire or Move to France from the USA? Steps to Make It Happen:    • Ready to Retire or Move to France from the...   Find French Connections HCB on Social Media: Instagram:   / frenchconnectionshcb   Facebook:   / frenchconnectionshcb   Thank you for watching!