French
///Property
Transactions
Expert legal support
Buying and Selling Property in France
Buying or selling property in France is exciting, but the legal process is complex and very different from the UK. Our bilingual French lawyers in the UK provide clear, practical advice to help you navigate contracts, ownership structures, and tax issues, so you stay protected and in control at every stage.
Contact us today for tailored support with your French property transaction.
Why Work With Our French Lawyers?
- Fully bilingual legal team with expertise in French property law
- Independent advice focused on protecting your interests
- End-to-end support from offer to completion
- Clear explanations of French legal terms and processes
Buying Property in France
When purchasing in France, you’ll be asked to sign legally binding documents very early in the process. We help you understand and manage:
- Preliminary contracts (compromis de vente or promesse de vente – The first binding agreement between buyer and seller)
- Ownership structures (standard joint ownership, tontine, or property company/SCI)
- Contract reviews with written reports highlighting risks and next steps
- Liaison with Notaires and estate agents on your behalf
- Wills and estate planning to cover your new property
Selling Property in France
Although selling property may feel more straightforward than buying, there are still important legal and tax obligations. We assist with:
- Seller declarations – Ensuring mandatory guarantees are correctly included
- Pre-sale preparation – Gathering required documents (Deeds, planning permissions, invoices)
- Contract review – Detailed report on the preliminary contract before you sign
- French capital gains tax – Estimating liability, checking deductions, and arranging certificates for reduced social charges
We also guide you through pro-rata property tax arrangements and liaise with Notaires to make the sales process smoother.
Understanding Key French Property Terms
- Compromis de vente / Promesse de vente – Preliminary contracts signed early in the process
- Tontine – A clause giving the surviving owner full ownership on death
- Société Civile Immobilière (SCI) – A French property holding company, often used for tax or succession planning
We explain what each term means in practice for your circumstances.
How We Work With You
Our structured three-step process keeps your transaction on track:
1. Initial Consultation – We review your plans and documentation
2. Detailed Review – We prepare a written report highlighting risks and requirements
3. Completion Support – We liaise with Notaires and agents until the transaction completes
Throughout, our team is available to answer your questions clearly in English or French.
FAQs
Do I need both a French Notaire and a UK solicitor?
Not necessarily. With our independent legal advice, we coordinate directly with the Notaire handling your transaction.
When is French capital gains tax payable?
It is assessed on completion of the sale. We estimate liability in advance and advise on deductions.
Can you help with ownership structures like tontine or SCI?
Yes. We advise on all ownership options and explain their inheritance and tax impact.
EXPERT LEGAL ADVICE
Our French Experts
Marc White
Solicitor, Notary Public & Accredited Mediator
Madeleine Carin
French Paralegal
Léa Maynard
Solicitor & Head of French Law