How long does a French mortgage take?
From the moment your offer on a property is accepted to the day you get the keys, a French purchase usually takes a few months. A non-resident file can run a little longer. Here is a realistic timeline, step by step, so you can plan with confidence.
General information. This is not an offer of credit or personalised advice, and no rate is guaranteed. Yann Nachtrieb, registered mortgage broker (COBSP) and insurance broker (COA), and financial investment adviser (CIF), ORIAS no. 26009903.
The main steps
After your offer is accepted, you sign a preliminary contract (the compromis de vente), which includes a condition that protects you if the mortgage is refused. You then have a set period, often 45 to 60 days, to secure the loan. Once a bank issues the formal offer, a mandatory cooling-off period applies before you can accept it. Completion then takes place at the notaire’s office, where the funds are released.
Preparing the file before you even find a property shortens the whole thing, because the bank work is already under way.
The 10-day cooling-off period
French law gives borrowers protection. When the bank sends the formal mortgage offer, a reflection period of 10 calendar days applies, and you cannot accept before the 11th day. The offer must also stay valid for at least 30 days. These delays are fixed, so build them into your plan rather than hoping to rush them.
A realistic timeline
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Preliminary contract to loan search | 45 to 60 days allowed |
| Bank study to formal offer | A few weeks |
| Cooling-off before acceptance | 10 days, fixed |
| Offer to completion | Often around 2 to 3 months total |
General, indicative timings. A non-resident file, with translated documents, can take longer. Nothing guaranteed.
What slows a non-resident file
Two things add time for overseas buyers: gathering and translating documents from your country of residence, and the back-and-forth with banks that handle non-resident files less often. Both are manageable if anticipated. Starting the mortgage work early, and presenting a complete file, is the single best way to keep to the calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Can I speed up the cooling-off period?
No. The 10-day reflection period on the mortgage offer is fixed by law and cannot be shortened. Acceptance is only valid from the 11th day.
How early should I start the mortgage?
As early as possible, ideally before you find the property. With the file under way, you move faster once your offer is accepted and you look more serious to sellers.
Do I need to travel to France to complete?
Not necessarily. Much can be done remotely, and completion can often be handled through a power of attorney if you cannot attend in person.
Let’s plan your timeline.
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