Buying property in Paris: Guide for Americans

Evidence tier: A1 Evidence type: Auto-discovered official publication Source: Wise Blog Official publication date: 2026-08-26 Captured: 2026-08-30T12:34:22.160Z

Paris is a beautiful city, known for its history, art, and culture. With year-round tourism, exclusive local neighborhoods, and delicious food, it’s no wonder Paris is a popular spot for expats from across the world!

We take a closer look at buying property in Paris, including everything you need to know about real estate prices, French property taxes, and the Parisian property purchase process.

We'll also introduce Wise — your international money transfer alternative. Use Wise to send stress-free transfers to over 140 countries - all at the standard mid-market exchange rate.

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<table><thead><tr><th>Table of contents</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li><a href="https://wise.com/us/blog/buying-property-in-paris#buying-property-in-paris-costs-taxes-and-fees">Buying property in Paris: costs, taxes, and fees</a></li><li><a href="https://wise.com/us/blog/buying-property-in-paris#how-to-buy-property-in-paris-as-an-american-step-by-step">How to buy property in Paris as an American: step-by-step</a></li><li><a href="https://wise.com/us/blog/buying-property-in-paris#where-can-i-find-a-property-to-buy-in-paris">Where can I find a property to buy in Paris?</a></li><li><a href="https://wise.com/us/blog/buying-property-in-paris#what-are-the-best-areas-to-buy-property-in-paris">What are the best areas to buy property in Paris?</a></li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>

Buying property in Paris: costs, taxes, and fees

Moving to France is an attractive prospect for US expats looking for popular rental investment opportunities or an exciting new way of life.

However, you’ll need to look into the cost of buying property in Paris. House prices can vary by location and property type, so it’s important to consider exactly what you need and where you want to live.

Let’s take a closer look at the costs of buying property in Paris. What fees, taxes, and local costs will you pay to secure your dream home?

What’s the average cost of real estate in Paris?

The price of Parisian property can vary depending on the location and type of property you want to purchase.

Properties in areas like Saint-Germain-des-Prés or Le Marais tend to be more expensive than apartments in La Chapelle or Pont-de-Flandre.

Property prices are currently stabilized, with a small 0.5% to 1% increase since 2025. The average price of Parisian property is 9700 EUR per square meter (as of 2026).

Apartments are particularly popular in Paris. These tend to be on the smaller side, which means the overall purchase price may be relatively affordable, despite a high price per square meter.¹

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What types of taxes and fees do I need to pay for buying property in France?

You’ll pay some taxes for purchasing a home in France, on top of the cost of the property itself. This includes costs like notary fees, legal fees, and property transfer tax.

<table><thead><tr><th>💡 If you’re <a href="https://wise.com/us/blog/buying-land-in-france">buying land in France</a>, you can also expect to incur additional costs, such as land survey fees.²</th></tr></thead><tbody></tbody></table>

Here are some of the taxes, fees, and costs you’ll pay when buying property in France. Speak to a local or international tax expert for more information about your French tax obligations.

<table><thead><tr><th>Fee</th><th>Cost</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Real estate commission</td><td>Roughly 5% to 7% of the property price, but it may be included in the advertised price³</td></tr><tr><td>Legal fees</td><td>1% to 2% of the purchase price³</td></tr><tr><td>Notary fees</td><td>7% to 8% of the property price for old properties or 2% to 3% for new builds³</td></tr><tr><td>Property transfer tax, known as <em>droits de mutation à titre onéreux</em> (DMTO)</td><td>You’ll pay from 5.8% to 6.32% to the government for your property purchase – varies by <em>département</em> You may pay your property transfer tax as part of your notary costs⁴</td></tr><tr><td>Value-Added Tax (VAT)</td><td>For new-build properties, you’ll pay VAT instead of the full DMTO This is typically 20% of your purchase price⁵, but the cost of VAT is often included in the price of your property⁴</td></tr><tr><td>Exchange rate fees</td><td>Many US banks add a markup to the ‘fair’ rate for currency conversion This is how they make money, but it can add to the cost of your property purchase or real estate tax bill Choose Wise to send money to the US or pay your tax bill in France at the <a href="http://wise.com/us/mid-market-rate">mid-market exchange rate</a> That’s the standard ‘fair’ rate, with no markups or nasty hidden fees!</td></tr></tbody></table> <table><thead><tr><th>💡 Wondering how much that would cost in EUR? Check out this handy conversion calculator.</th></tr></thead><tbody></tbody></table>

How to buy property in Paris as an American: step-by-step

The process for buying property in Paris may vary depending on your property location, type, and financial situation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to buying property in Paris as an American.

1. Visit and choose your dream property

First things first, you need to find your Parisian home. Make sure to visit local properties before making your decision. This can help you get a feel for your property and its location.

You’ll need to think about what you need from your new home. If you’re looking for rental income opportunities, consider an apartment in a central location with plenty of amenities. If you’re starting a new life abroad, carefully choose a district that offers everything you need.

You may also want to hire a lawyer to help you through the purchase process. Your lawyer can oversee any background checks on your property and help you navigate tricky local laws.⁶

2. Make an offer on your property

Now, it’s time to make an offer on your property. Known as the offre d’achat, this tells your seller how much you’re willing to pay for your new home. The seller will decide whether or not to accept your offer.⁶

3. Sign the preliminary contract

Once your offer has been accepted, you’ll need to sign the preliminary contract for your property. This will outline everything you need to know, such as how much you’ll pay and when the sale will close.⁶

You’ll also need to pay your deposit. You’ll typically pay 10% of your property price, but non-resident buyers applying for a mortgage may need to put down closer to 25%. In some cases, you may need to put down as much as 50%.³

You’ll be given a 10-day cooling-off period. During this time, you can withdraw from the purchase process without legal consequences.⁶

4. Sign the final document and transfer ownership

Finally, it’s time to sign the acte de vente. This will finalize your property purchase and transfer ownership to you.

You’ll need to complete this final step in front of a notary. The notary plays an essential role in the French property purchase process.

It can take several months to process your final document, so make sure to leave plenty of time to complete your sale.⁶

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Now that we covered some of the basics, the only question left is how to send money to pay for your property overseas.

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Where can I find a property to buy in Paris?

There are a few ways to find properties to buy in Paris:

• Browse online real estate listings
• Visit your local area to spot properties for sale
• Look for physical listings at real estate agencies
• Check out local forums online

Browsing online is one of the best ways to find properties for sale, but it’s important to check out reputable websites and find trusted real estate listings. SeLoger®, Green-Acres®, and Logic-Immo® offer regular listings across France.⁷

You’ll also need to complete any necessary admin before purchasing your property. For example, if you plan to live in Paris, you’ll need to apply for a visa, such as France’s long-stay visa.

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What are the best areas to buy property in Paris?

Every district of Paris offers something a little different for US expats and foreign investors. Let’s take a look at 3 popular areas of the city.

Le Marais

Le Marais is a very popular area of Paris. You can enjoy a slice of Parisian culture, with plenty of local galleries, boutiques, and classic French restaurants.

Le Marais is just a short metro ride away from the city’s business districts, the popular Latin Quarter, and the Gare de Nord.

It’s one of the most expensive areas of Paris, known for its historic apartments, central location, and stunning architecture.⁸

Ile Saint-Louis

Ile Saint-Louis is a quiet, exclusive district of Paris. Located on a small island in the Seine, Ile Saint-Louis is known for its beautiful buildings and rich history.

However, it’s not always easy to purchase a home in Ile Saint-Louis. There aren’t many available apartments, and it’s rare for one to come up for sale.

Ile Saint-Louis is just a short walk or metro ride from central Paris, but it’s also its very own little island.⁹ Let the hustle and bustle of the city just melt away!

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is known for its literature, art, and history, with some of the most famous cafés in Paris, including the Café de Flore and Les Deux Margots, where Ernest Hemingway, Simone de Beauvoir, and Jean-Paul Sartre used to eat!

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is very popular with expats looking for large houses and unique real estate opportunities.

The district’s apartments are known for their distinctive Haussmann-style architecture, parquet floors, molded ceilings, and proximity to spots like the Luxembourg Gardens.¹⁰

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Bottom line

Buying property in Paris is a smart move for US expats and investors, with stylish apartment buildings, thriving tourist districts, and a rich local history.

However, you’ll need to ensure you follow all the necessary steps to complete your property purchase, such as working with a notary and local lawyer.

You’ll also need to look into how much it costs to buy property in Paris. You’ll pay costs like notary fees and property transfer tax on top of the price of your new home.

Many US banks may also charge hidden costs for international payments. These costs can really add up if you’re purchasing property overseas.

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Sources

1. Investropa - What are housing prices like in Paris right now? 2. Property Guides - Build your own home in France 3. Currencies Direct - The costs of buying property in France 4. Investropa - The full list of property taxes, costs and fees in France 5. Notaires de France - VAT on property 6. Valoris Avocats - Guide to buying property in France 7. French Property Explained - The 10 best real estate websites in France for international buyers 8. Global School Guide - Living in Le Marais, Paris 9. International Property Shares - Ile Saint-Louis 10. The Gallerist - Living in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Sources checked 08/26/2026

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