Dutch residents earn in euros and live in the EU, so French banks can typically finance 70–80% of the price on a strong file. Repayments, including your Dutch mortgage, must stay within 35% of net income, over 25 years at most. French home loans are amortising and financing above 80% is rare for non-residents, so habits from the Dutch market do not carry over. Banks will ask for loonstroken, jaaropgaven and your aanslag inkomstenbelasting.
What French banks will lend
As an EU resident with euro income, you are among the borrowers French banks find simplest to assess. Strong files can be financed at 70–80% of the price, and there is no exchange risk for the bank to price in. Purchase costs of 7–8.5% on an existing home, or 2–3% on a new build, come from your own funds.
The bank counts every loan you repay, including the mortgage on your Dutch home and the insurance on the French loan, and checks the total against the 35% ceiling.
How French loans differ from a Dutch mortgage
- Repayment from day one. French home loans are amortising. Each monthly payment repays capital as well as interest, and the loan is cleared by the end of the term. Interest-only loans are offered mainly by private banks, usually above roughly €1 million and with assets placed with them.
- Lower loan-to-value. Buyers used to high financing at home should plan for a deposit of 20–30% plus purchase costs.
- Fixed for the term. Most French loans carry one fixed rate for their whole life, up to 25 years.
- Insurance in the rate. Borrower insurance is required in practice and counts in the all-in rate (TAEG), which may not exceed the legal cap of 5.40% for loans of 20 years or more this quarter.
Dutch documents French banks ask for
- Passport or identity card for each borrower and proof of address
- Employed: last three loonstroken and an employer statement or employment contract
- Your jaaropgaaf for the last two years
- Your last two aanslagen inkomstenbelasting
- Self-employed: two to three years of accounts and income tax returns
- Three to six months of statements for every current account
- Statements for your Dutch mortgage and any other loans
- Proof of where the deposit comes from, for anti-money-laundering checks
Documents in Dutch may need a certified translation. The broker will tell you which ones the chosen bank wants in English or French.
Practical points
The lender will open a French account for the funds and repayments. If you cannot attend completion, the notaire can prepare a power of attorney. Ask for at least 60 days in the loan condition of the compromis, since a non-resident file usually takes six to ten weeks to reach a loan offer.
French rental income is taxed in France, and the wealth tax on property (IFI) applies when your French property is worth more than €1.3 million net. French Tax Online can explain how both apply to you.
Next step
Matching is free. Use the eligibility check and we will introduce you to one broker who places files from the Netherlands.
Questions
Can I get an interest-only mortgage in France?
Rarely. Retail banks lend on amortising loans. Private banks offer interest-only (in fine) loans, usually above roughly €1 million and in exchange for assets placed with them.
How much deposit does a Dutch resident need in France?
Typically 20–30% of the price on a strong file, plus purchase costs of 7–8.5% on an existing home, paid from your own funds.
Which Dutch documents do French banks accept?
Usually recent loonstroken, your jaaropgaaf and your aanslag inkomstenbelasting for the last two years, with certified translations where the bank asks for them.