Which banks lend to non-residents?
Not every French bank will finance a buyer who lives abroad, and those that do apply different rules. What matters is not a list of names, but matching your profile to the lender most likely to say yes, on the best terms. Here is how the market really works.
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.
A market, not a single door
Several French high-street banks and specialist lenders do finance non-residents, including UK buyers since Brexit. But each sets its own appetite: some prefer EU residents, some are comfortable with non-EU profiles, some focus on second homes, others on investment. The same file can be refused by one and accepted by another.
That is why knocking on a single door is the slowest route. The question is not "will a bank lend", it is "which bank fits you".
What makes a bank say yes
Beyond the usual 35% debt-to-income rule, non-resident lenders look closely at the deposit (often 20 to 30% for a non-EU buyer), the currency and reliability of your income, and sometimes a cash reserve held after the purchase. A clean, well-documented file, with income evidence from your country of residence, moves a bank from hesitation to yes.
Presentation counts as much as the numbers: how foreign income is framed can decide the outcome.
What lenders weigh
| Point | Typical benchmark |
|---|---|
| Deposit (non-EU non-resident) | often 20 to 30% |
| Debt-to-income cap | around 35% |
| Income | Evidenced, foreign currency accepted with caution |
| Cash reserve | Sometimes required after purchase |
| Profile fit | Second home, investment, EU or non-EU |
General, indicative benchmarks that vary widely by bank and profile. No acceptance or rate is guaranteed.
Where a broker earns their keep
A broker knows which lenders are active for non-residents this season, what each one wants to see, and how to present an overseas file. Instead of applying at random and risking refusals, you go straight to the banks that fit, with a file built for them. For UK and overseas buyers, that saves weeks and avoids dead ends.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just approach a French bank myself?
You can, but you are dealing with one lender who may not finance non-residents at all, or only on strict terms. A broker compares several in parallel and targets the ones that fit your profile.
Do I need a French bank account?
Lenders often ask you to open a French account for the direct debits, and sometimes to hold the first payments there. It can usually be arranged as part of the process.
Can everything be done from abroad?
Yes. The file can be prepared and signed remotely, by phone, video and electronic documents, in English. You do not need to be in France to move forward.
Let’s find your lender.
Book a free 45-minute call, in English, by phone or video. No commitment.