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Getting a Mortgage from a French Bank

Sit down with a bank adviser, talk deposit, rate and term, and come away knowing what you can borrow and what happens next.

French banks cap your total loan repayments at 35% of your income and usually lend over 20 to 25 years at a fixed rate, ideally with a personal deposit (apport) that covers at least the notary fees. Borrower insurance (assurance emprunteur) is required in practice, but you may take it from another insurer and switch at any time. Many buyers go through a courtier (broker), first-time buyers may qualify for the state-backed prêt à taux zéro, and once the written offer arrives you must wait a legal ten-day reflection period before signing.

A real estate agent discussing a deal with senior clients in an office setting.
Photo: Kampus Production on Pexels
  1. 1

    Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous pour parler d'un prêt immobilier.

    I'd like to make an appointment to discuss a home loan.

  2. 2

    Nous achetons notre premier appartement.

    We're buying our first flat.

  3. 3

    Combien est-ce que je peux emprunter ?

    How much can I borrow?

  4. 4

    Nous avons un apport de 30 000 €.

    We have a 30,000-euro deposit.

    Tip: The money you put in yourself.

  5. 5

    Quel est le taux en ce moment ?

    What's the interest rate at the moment?

  6. 6

    C'est un taux fixe ?

    Is it a fixed rate?

  7. 7

    Sur combien d'années ?

    Over how many years?

  8. 8

    Nous voudrions emprunter sur vingt ans.

    We'd like to borrow over twenty years.

  9. 9

    Vos mensualités ne peuvent pas dépasser 35 % de vos revenus.

    Your monthly repayments can't go over 35% of your income.

  10. 10

    Vous pourriez nous faire une simulation ?

    Could you run a simulation for us?

    Tip: A quick projection of the loan.

  11. 11

    De quels documents avez-vous besoin ?

    What documents do you need?

  12. 12

    Voici mes trois derniers bulletins de salaire.

    Here are my last three payslips.

  13. 13

    L'assurance emprunteur est obligatoire ?

    Is borrower insurance compulsory?

  14. 14

    Est-ce que je peux prendre l'assurance ailleurs ?

    Can I take out the insurance with another company?

  15. 15

    Il y a des frais de dossier ?

    Are there any application fees?

  16. 16

    Nous passons aussi par un courtier.

    We're also going through a broker.

  17. 17

    Est-ce que nous avons droit au prêt à taux zéro ?

    Do we qualify for the zero-interest loan?

    Tip: A state-backed loan for some first-time buyers.

  18. 18

    Vous allez recevoir l'offre de prêt par courrier.

    You'll receive the official loan offer by post.

  19. 19

    Vous avez un délai de réflexion de dix jours.

    You have a ten-day cooling-off period.

  20. 20

    Est-ce que je peux rembourser le prêt par anticipation ?

    Can I pay the loan off early?