Yes. Buyers living abroad can finance a flat or house in Biarritz, Anglet, Saint-Jean-de-Luz or the villages along the Basque coast with a French mortgage, on the usual non-resident terms. Two things stand out here. Demand is strong, so a buyer whose financing has already been reviewed is better placed when an offer goes in, and several towns restrict short-term lets of second homes, so the loan is best planned without holiday-let income.
A mortgage on the Basque coast
A mortgage on the Basque coast usually finances an apartment near the beaches of Biarritz, Anglet or Saint-Jean-de-Luz, or a Basque house with white walls and painted timbers in Bidart, Guéthary or the hills behind the coast. Strong demand supports resale, which lenders take into account.
Financing follows where you live: 70–80% of the price for strong files from the UK, Ireland, the EU or Switzerland, 50–70% for residents elsewhere. Buyers living across the border in Spain are EU residents for this purpose. Purchase costs of 7–8.5% on an existing home come from your own funds on top of the deposit.
Being ready when you make an offer
Well-placed properties on this coast often attract several buyers, and sellers tend to favour one whose financing looks secure. French banks rarely commit before a compromis is signed, and an accord de principe is not binding. A broker can review your file in advance and tell you which lenders will take it and for how much.
Once an offer is accepted, ask for a loan condition of at least 60 days in the compromis. The law requires at least one month, and a non-resident file usually needs longer.
Short-term let restrictions on second homes
Several towns on the Basque coast restrict short-term lets of second homes, and the Le Meur law of 19 November 2024 widened the tools available to communes. Local rules can tighten again after you buy, so check with the town hall for the exact address.
Banks plan around this. They count rent they can verify, often around 70%, from a long-term or furnished lease, and they give little weight to projected summer income on a second home here.
Running costs of a coastal second home
Many coastal communes in high-demand areas add a surcharge to the local tax on second homes. Seafront apartment buildings can also carry higher co-ownership charges for upkeep against salt and weather. Ask for the latest property tax notice and the charges before you sign, since both come out of the same budget as your repayments.
Next steps on the Basque coast
The eligibility check is the quickest way to have your file reviewed before you start making offers. We introduce you to one broker who works with buyers on the Atlantic coast, and matching is free. French Notaires can find an English-speaking notaire for the compromis, and the mortgage calculator shows repayments and purchase costs for the price you have in mind.
Your purchase deed is signed before a notaire. French Notaires matches English speakers with a bilingual notaire nearby, free of charge: find a notaire in the region.
Questions
Can I let a second home on the Basque coast to holidaymakers?
It depends on the town. Several Basque coast towns restrict short-term lets of second homes, so check the rules for the exact address with the town hall before you buy.
Will a bank count holiday-let income on the Basque coast?
Rarely for a second home. Banks count rent they can verify, often around 70%, and short-term holiday income is often discounted or ignored, particularly where local rules restrict it.
Can I get a mortgage agreement before making an offer in Biarritz?
French banks rarely commit before a compromis is signed, and an accord de principe is not binding. A broker can review your file in advance and tell you which lenders will take it and for how much, which helps when several buyers are interested.