Expats: Finding a Home and Returning to France with Fairway Luxury Real Estate

Returning from expatriation is a pivotal moment that blends the excitement of coming home with the complexity of administrative and logistical relocation. Whether you are a senior executive on international assignment, a diplomat, or a family preparing for a return to France, housing quickly becomes the cornerstone of your new life.

At Fairway Luxury Real Estate, we know from experience that you are not simply browsing expat housing ads, but seeking a true bespoke residential strategy. As a privileged partner of the Union des Français de l'Étranger (UFE), we offer a level of support unique to the Parisian market, specifically calibrated to meet the demands of an international clientele accustomed to excellence.

Our mission is to transform your search for expat housing into a seamless transition, anticipating specific challenges related to non-resident status and opening the doors to a prestigious real estate market that is often confidential.

What are the steps to relocate to France after expatriation ?

Improvisation is undoubtedly the greatest enemy of a successful return to France housing project, particularly in the ultra-competitive Parisian luxury real estate market.

To secure the ideal property, we strongly recommend activating your search between three and six months before your physical arrival date. This preparatory phase must begin with a clarification of your future tax status, as tax residency rules or eligibility for the "impatriate" tax regime will directly determine your borrowing capacity and the structure of your investment.

On the banking front, it is crucial to anticipate the hesitation of French landlords towards foreign files by gathering, even before your departure, solid banking histories and letters of recommendation from your current financial institutions. This rigor in building your expat rental application helps compensate for the lack of immediate history in France.

Furthermore, we organize immersive virtual tours and targeted pre-selections at this stage, allowing you to refine your requirements remotely and be operational for final viewings the moment you land.

Buying property after returning to France: the key stages

Many expats take advantage of their return to materialize a wealth management project and invest in Parisian stone, a safe haven asset par excellence. However, a return to France property purchase initiated from abroad follows strict financial rules that must be mastered. Access to credit for non-residents has become more technical in recent years, with banking institutions now requiring a more substantial personal contribution ("Loan to Value"), generally ranging between 20% and 30% of the total operation amount, whereas an established tax resident might only need to put down 10%.

One must also anticipate a slight increase in interest rates, often between 0.20% and 0.50%, which covers the risk of international compliance. Beyond financing, the legal structuring of your acquisition is decisive: buying in your own name or via a Société Civile Immobilière (SCI) will have major impacts on your future taxation, particularly regarding the Real Estate Wealth Tax (IFI), which applies to net French real estate assets exceeding 1.3 million euros. Fairway's expertise guides you through these mechanisms to optimize your investment.

What types of housing for returning expats?

Your expat housing strategy must align perfectly with your time horizon and wealth objectives. For a quick installation without logistical constraints, furnished rental under the "Bail Code Civil" (Civil Code Lease) regime is often the preferred solution for our clientele.

This type of contract, specifically designed for secondary residences or corporate housing leased by companies, offers valuable contractual flexibility that the standard lease does not allow, particularly regarding duration and rent setting. Above all, the Civil Code Lease opens the doors to the exclusive "Off-Market", as many owners of exceptional properties with luxurious amenities refuse to rent their assets under the overly restrictive standard regime.

If your project is long-term, acquiring a family main residence with three or more bedrooms in Western Paris constitutes a first-rate asset placement, as these properties maintain constant liquidity and attractiveness due to sustained demand from international families.

Our advice for building a solid rental application returning from abroad

The major stumbling block for most expatriation returns lies in the difficulty of reassuring a demanding Parisian landlord when one does not yet have income domiciled in France or a local tax notice. To bypass this obstacle, your expat rental file must be absolutely clear and irreproachable.

Transparency is your best ally: it is essential to provide all your translated employment contracts, your latest foreign payslips with a clear conversion into euros, as well as all proofs of bonuses or capital income. Failing the ability to present a physical guarantor residing in France, we often recommend the Bank Guarantee to our clients.

This "Luxury" solution consists of blocking a sum equivalent to six or twelve months of rent on an escrow account, thus offering the landlord total and immediate financial security. It is a strong signal of seriousness and solvency that unlocks the majority of situations in the high-end market.

Where to settle? Focus on Paris and top expat return zones

Choosing your future neighborhood is a strategic decision that goes beyond simple living environment; for a mobile family, it is almost always dictated by the international school map.

Western Paris remains the destination of choice for a successful expat return to France housing experience.

Neuilly-sur-Seine often imposes itself as the first choice for those seeking absolute security, wide tree-lined avenues, and immediate proximity to the Marymount International School.

The 16th arrondissement, in both its North and South sections, offers a prestigious alternative with its grand reception apartments and direct access to the International School of Paris (ISP) or EIB Lamartine.

For lovers of historic and vibrant neighborhood life, the 7th and 8th arrondissements, strongholds of the American and diplomatic community, appeal with their proximity to the École Bilingue Monceau or the American University.

Finally, for families willing to move slightly further out to gain space and greenery, Saint-Germain-en-Laye offers an exceptional living environment around its famous Lycée International, a true hub of global public excellence.