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...an insider's guide to Alpine Property
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France Property - Property Guides

Our useful guides offer an insight into the Alpine
Property market and a overview of the buying process

The Alpine Property Specialists

Alpine Property Finders are one of Europe’s leading ski property specialists

We have an extensive portfolio of high quality alpine ski property for sale in France. Our team, based in Chamonix have unrivalled knowledge of the alpine resorts we sell our properties in and can offer you expert advice and professional guidance through every stage of the buying process.

Our team of French ski property experts

Our staff have all lived and worked extensively across the French Alps and have detailed knowledge of the property market in each resort we operate. In the Chamonix Valley, we offer a free property finding service in the popular resorts of Chamonix, Les Houches, Argentiere and the surrounding area.

Our team can help you find property anywhere in the French alps, advising you on the regions which are the closest match to your requirements and supplying you with professional guidance on the purchase process.

French Ski Property

We only handle properties in the best alpine resorts in France. The beautiful town of Chamonix is one of the most popular and includes some of the most highly sought-after property in France. Its proximity to glacier skiing and year-round appeal make property in Chamonix an ideal investment. The surrounding villages of Les Houces, Argentiere and Vallorcine are equally popular.

Serviced apartments are a popular choice of alpine ski property for sale in France. Many ski properties come with full rental management and some even with guaranteed rental income.

If you are dreaming of your own ski chalet in the Alps then please do contact us. French Chalets are particularly popular with buyers looking to spend long periods in the Alps and value having a private garden and flexible rental arrangements

Ski Properties Available in France

Are you looking to buy an apartment or chalet in the beautiful French Alps?

For buyers looking for a large inter-connected ski region, Le Trois Vallees or 3 Valleys in France is usually the first port of call. Here, a vast network of some 600km+ of pistes connect the resorts of Courchevel, Meribel and Val Thorens creating what is widely recognized as the world’s largest linked ski region.

Furthermore, much of the skiing is above 2,500m making this region one of the most snow sure in the alps. This extensive ski region and its high altitude make the 3 Valleys a popular choice for buyers looking for a chalet or apartment for sale in the French Alps.

If you prefer the Alpine summers then we recommend taking a look at resorts such as Les Gets, Morzine and Chatel in the Portes du Soleil region. Here you will find great year-round resorts with bustling summer seasons.

Our team of property advisors can help you fine your ideal home in the French Alps so please do get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can foreigners buy property in France?

Yes - foreign buyers can buy property in France. The French property market is open to buyers from most of the world. There are no restrictions for non-EU buyers. 

What are the legal requirements for property ownership?

The legal process is fairly straightforward when you are buying a property in France. The process is however a little different depending if you are buying a new build property or an existing 'resale' property.

If you're buying new build property, you will first sign an initial reservation contract. After that you will sign the official deeds and the transfer of ownership can then be completed. This is often at the beginning of the build process and often before the property is built.

After that, you will enter into a stage payment process until completion of the property.

If you're buying an existing property, you would sign a "compromis de vente". Typically you will pay 10% on exchange and then 90% on completion.

Do I need a French bank account to buy property?

No, you don't. It's not a legal requirement to open a bank account in France. 

However, if you do not currently have a bank account in the EU, we would normally advise that it's a good idea to set one up since all of your bills are going to be coming out in euros.

If you are renting out the property, you will have income coming in euros, so it's best to have everything coming into one account in euros. This avoids any exchange rate fluctuation.

Most banks require you to go to France to set up the account. However, we do work with one that allows you to do it remotely.

What are the purchase costs and taxes when buying in France?

If you're buying an off-plan or new build property, you pay the lower level of notary fees and stamp duty. This is typically 1.9% to 2.5% depending on the price of the property.

If you're buying an existing property, you pay the normal rate of 7.5% for notary fees and stamp duty.

What are the ongoing tax obligations for property owners?

Rental Income Tax: You have to pay tax on rental income if you're renting a property in France. However, it is possible to offset plenty of costs in order to reduce the taxable income. These include:

  • Mortgage interest

  • Management costs

  • Accountancy fees

  • One inspection trip to the property per year

  • You can depreciate 80% of the property over 25-30 years. 20% is classed as land and therefore can't be depreciated. 

  • Notary fees over three years

  • 100% of the furniture over 10 years

When this is all added up, there is often limited to no tax to pay on the rental income in France for the first few years. 

Capital Gains Tax: You're liable for capital gains tax. The French system favours long-term holding. The longer you own the property in France, the less capital gains tax you'll pay. There are actually two components - one is a social charge and one is capital gains tax, which total approximately 36%. One decreases from year six of ownership down to 0% at year 20, and one decreases from the full amount at year six down to 0% at year 30.

Wealth Tax: This is payable, but only over €1.3 million of equity in the property. Under that threshold, you're not paying any wealth tax.

Inheritance Tax: There's inheritance tax to pay as well, although owners have a threshold of €100,000 per parent per child (so €400,000) before any inheritance tax is payable.

Can I get a mortgage in France as a foreigner?

Yes, you can. We work with a specialist French mortgage brokerage which is in touch with all the French banks who will lend to non-residents.

The French banks, whilst they do look at your nationality and where you reside, more importantly, look at the country where you pay tax. Different nationalities will be able to attain different loan-to-value ratios:

  • British/EU: 70-85% loan-to-value is common

  • US: Normally up to around 50% loan-to-value at the moment

  • Southeast Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore): Around 60%

  • UAE: Around 50-60%

  • Other countries: We need to look at on a case-by-case basis

Are there any tax benefits for property investment in France?

Benefits of buying a new build property:

  • You will pay the lower level of notary fees and stamp duty of only around 2%

  • You're able to reclaim 20% VAT from the property purchase price if you are agree to commercially rent out the property.

VAT Reclaim Criteria:

  • Must be a new build apartment or chalet

  • The property must be rented furnished on short-term lets

  • You or your rental agency must provide a minimum of three para-hotelier services in place (cleaning, laundry, and key holding for example)

If you fulfill these criteria, you can reclaim 20% VAT on:

  • Property purchase price

  • Rental services you're paying for

  • Furniture of the property

The proviso is that you then need to pay the lower level of 10% VAT on the rental income.

Company Structure: If the purchase price is over €1-1.5 million, it can make sense to hold the property within a company. 

If you're planning on renting and getting the VAT back it tends to be an SARL or similar structure. This means you can then appoint shares to those over 18 years of age and also helps with inheritance tax as well as wealth tax planning. 

Wealth Tax Optimisation: If you are purchasing a property above the €1.3 million wealth tax then it often makes sense to take out a mortgage in France. 

For example, if you buy a property for €2 million and take a mortgage of €800,000, your equity drops to €1.2m and there is therefore no wealth tax to pay.

Need Expert advice? Contact us today!

Contact Alpine Property Finders for any information about property in Austria, property in Switzerland or property in France

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