Australian residents can borrow in France on the same legal terms as French residents. Because Australia is outside the EU, banks typically finance 50–70% of the price, so plan for a deposit of 30–50% plus purchase costs of 7–8.5% on an existing home. Your income is converted cautiously from Australian dollars, and every loan you repay at home counts against the 35% ceiling. You can complete without flying to France by signing through a power of attorney prepared by the notaire.
How much a French bank will lend
For a bank in France, a borrower living in Australia is a non-EU resident. Lenders that take these files typically finance 50–70% of the price. On a €500,000 home, that means a deposit of €150,000–250,000, and purchase costs of 7–8.5% on an existing property come from your own funds on top.
The repayment test is the same for everyone: all your loan repayments, including borrower insurance and your Australian mortgage, may not exceed 35% of net household income. The maximum term is 25 years. Many lenders also set a minimum loan for non-residents, commonly between €100,000 and €250,000.
Australian dollar income and exchange risk
Your loan will be in euros and your salary in Australian dollars. French banks must warn you about exchange risk, and in practice they protect themselves by converting your income at a cautious rate or asking for savings to be held with them.
Two transfers matter most. The deposit is one large conversion on a fixed date, and a forward contract lets you fix the rate when you sign the compromis. Monthly repayments can then go across automatically at an agreed margin. Our currency partner arranges both.
Australian documents French banks ask for
- Passport for each borrower and a recent utility bill or council rates notice
- Employed: last three payslips, an employment contract or employer letter, and your PAYG payment summary or income statement
- Your last two ATO notices of assessment, with the matching tax returns
- Self-employed or company owner: two to three years of tax returns and business accounts
- Three to six months of statements for every transaction account, showing salary and loan repayments
- Statements for your Australian mortgage and any other loans
- Proof of where the deposit comes from, for the bank's and the notaire's anti-money-laundering checks
French banks do not use credit scores, so your Australian credit report plays no part. The documents carry the file, and documents in English are generally accepted.
Buying from the other side of the world
The time difference means calls with the bank, the broker and the notaire usually fall early in your morning or late in your evening. A broker who already handles Australian files will plan around it and chase documents by email.
You do not need to be in France to complete. The notaire can prepare a power of attorney so that someone signs the deed on your behalf. Signing it abroad can involve extra formalities, so ask the notaire early which apply in Australia. Allow at least 60 days for the loan condition in the compromis, since a non-resident file usually takes six to ten weeks from complete application to loan offer.
The steps and legal deadlines are set out in the buying timeline. When you are ready, the eligibility check takes five minutes and puts you in touch with one broker used to files from Australia.
Questions
Can an Australian resident get a mortgage in France?
Yes. Banks that accept non-EU residents typically finance 50–70% of the price for buyers living in Australia, subject to the 35% debt-to-income ceiling.
Do French banks check my Australian credit score?
No. French banks do not use credit scores. They assess your payslips, ATO notices of assessment and bank statements instead.
Can I get a French mortgage in Australian dollars?
French property loans are almost always in euros. Plan to convert repayments monthly, and consider a forward contract to fix the rate for the deposit.