How many Britons have second homes in Nouvelle-Aquitaine - and why do they choose it? UK nationals are the largest foreign community of second-home owners in the region
French second-home visa issues raised in House of Lords British people experience an "expensive and bureaucratic process" to continue living in France
Second-home owners: French MPs and senators relaunch efforts for visa concessions French lawmakers push for a simpler process for Britons post-Brexit
news French police can check your home (and elderly relatives) when you are away Here is how to sign up for the service, as well as a special check for elderly people. Plus, advice on how to avoid ‘fake police’ scams
Big limitations on number of new second homes in Chamonix Some 70% of the housing stock in the popular mountain resort town are currently second homes
French MP presses ministry over easier visas for second-home owners Philippe Lottiaux says he regularly hears of problems from British homeowners in his Var constituency
Photos: The best places to buy a second home in Provence named in new ranking The list considered 28 criteria to rank 90 villages in the sought-after region
Can a French residency card holder buy a second-home in EU and spend time there? Beware of over-extending your stay in another country
Senator bids to ban new second homes in several areas - how would it work? ‘These areas are out of control’ says the deputy mayor of Paris in charge of housing who is supporting the idea
French officials consider ideas to help second-home owners An automatic conferral of long-stay rights may pose legal issues
Are French tax charges on foreign property rental income correct? France should award tax credits in some situations
Is there a healthcare payment option for elderly second home owners in France? Exploring insurance options and state healthcare access for British expats
More second homes in France face higher tax under new proposal Far-left proposal would see all communes able to levy additional surcharges on second-home tax
More French towns are imposing ‘empty home tax’ in 2024 Authorities in any town subject to housing pressure can consider levying the Taxe sur les logements vacants (TLV)
French towns take action to reduce percentage of second homes A new town is to offer ‘tiny homes’ to rent all year round from just €100 per month. Around 25 other French communes are working on similar projects
What changes require you to make new property declaration in France? Tax officials have sent out an email reminding people of the rules
How can we cut off utilities at French second home from abroad? Meter reading need to be taken to close most accounts
How much can property buyers in France negotiate down prices in 2024? An explosion in the number of homes on sale coupled with a drop in values - and looming new energy efficiency rules - is opening up opportunities
Taxes, bank holidays, Olympics: Key dates to note in April in France Practical and cultural events to mark on your calendar
French MPs still trying to ease visa process for second-home owners Chasing letters to the minister, parliamentary questions - MPs continue to lobby for simpler temporary long-stay visas
Can I install a septic tank myself at my second French home? Installations must be checked every 10 years
Reader experiences: Dealing with a burglary at second home in France Couple’s house in Pays de la Loire was broken into while they were in the UK
Do I need to sweep and insure an unused chimney in my French home? New rules over chimney cleaning came into force at the end of 2023
Which foreign nationalities buy the most property in the Paris area? And what has happened to British buyers?
Owners lend second homes so sick children in France get a holiday We look at the charities matching holiday home owners with struggling families
How can I reduce the cost of home insurance in France? Extra cover and location are two primary factors of higher annual charges
Fight continues to ease visa process for long visits to France Campaigners are lobbying lawmakers about simplifications to the process – and are asking supporters to complete two surveys to gather experiences
Second homes in France: locals call for quotas Campaigners in the Basque Country want a quota system to limit new second homes, councillors in Brittany propose housing priority for existing residents
How do I estimate the value of my rural home in France? The market for older properties can be complex
How do I contact tax officials when I move to France? As resident some taxes will no longer be payable, depending on your situation
7 key points on property market in France from new notaire data Several areas are now predicted to see significant falls
What are the rules on foreign septic tanks in France? Septic tanks are subject to official approval and regular inspections
What are the laws surrounding trespassing in France? Trespassing rules are governed by the furnished condition of a house and can include any garden also
Do I have to wait six months after expiry to renew French VLS-T visa? VLS-T visas are separate to Schengen Bloc visa-free access days
LIST: what was kept and what was rejected in French immigration law Conseil constitutionnel rejected a third of items including an ‘automatic visa’ plan for Britons owning second homes - but approved increasing the level of French needed for certain residency cards
How do I release equity from my French property? There are various loans available in France which look partially to the value of a property as security
France second-home visas: when is ruling due and when could it start? The nine ‘sages’ of the Conseil constitutionnel are set to scrutinise the immigration law this week
Where are France's 3 million empty homes and why so many? Vacancy rates are in double figures in some rural communes, but also in major cities
‘Dangerous’ trees, scams, vineyards to buy: French property round up Our recap of recent property articles
Why are rural French houses so cheap? Lack of demand by the French for countryside lifestyle, and state of properties are among the reasons
Can I get a discount for paying rent up front in France? Some landlords may be willing to negotiate prices, but only under certain conditions
Second homes – France’s automatic visa plan: the next steps Easy visits scheme for Britons will take some time so it is advisable not to put off visa applications this year
Automatic visa for second home visits: Senator feedback and questions We talk to Senator Berthet about the next steps and answer queries
99 extra French communes declared drought disaster zones for 2022 People with affected properties have 30 days to make insurance claim
Noisy chickens, chimneys, renovations: French property round up Our pick of property stories you may have missed
Visas, residency cards: What changes in France’s new immigration law? Non-EU citizens, for example Americans or Britons, coming to France to live or work in France will be affected by several changes in the new law passed by parliament
‘We must help ease 90/180 rule for owners of French second-homes’ Senator from Savoie calls for your feedback on why more flexibility would benefit France
Automatic visa for easy second-home visits passed by French parliament Law will help tens of thousands of Britons to spend longer in France as they could before Brexit
What happens next for law to ease second-home visits to France? France’s immigration law, including help for British second-home owners, is been voted definitively but a few steps remain
Why are Americans not part of second-home easy visit plan in France? Many Britons have written to French lawmakers over difficulties after Brexit
Immigration law rejected in France: is this the end of it? Out of three possible options the government has chosen to call a ‘mixed commission’ of MPs and senators to look at the text
French immigration bill: What happens now to second-home visits plan? As the bill moves forward for examination by a ‘mixed commission’ it is possible the ‘automatic visa’ proposal will remain
Flurry of new MP bids to ease visits to second homes in France New bill amendments either call to bring back Senator Martine Berthet's 'automatic visa' idea or a version of it proposed by MP Alexandre Holroyd
New pool must go due to neighbour’s ‘protected view’ clause in France Court rules property must be returned to original state in line with clause protecting a sea view in their property deeds
MP: I will resubmit a new proposal to ease visits to second homes The president of the MPs’ France-UK friendship group says helping Britons ‘is essential’
Are Britons making a lot of demands on French prefectures? We clarify which French officials are having to deal with different British applications post-Brexit
What changes for household budgets in December in France We also look at key tax and other payment or benefit dates this month
French plan to ease second-home visits rejected: but may return Several MPs want this restricted to those who purchased their homes pre-Brexit and for all people who live in the UK, not just Britons; independent and centrist MPs demanded its withdrawal
Update on plan to ease second-home visits and sample French MP letter We look at progress in parliament on the ‘automatic visa’ law and a positive email from a majority party MP. We also provide detailed help for writing to your MP
Is Spain calling for easier second-home visits as French senators are? Several media reports have linked the French ‘automatic visa’ proposal and alleged actions by Spain
Pools, insurance, tax bills: French property round up Our review of recent property articles you might have missed
Stop stigmatising us during droughts, say pool owners in France Pools only account for 0.06% of nation’s water usage, says industry federation
Brittany is the region which has most newcomers in France A quarter of new arrivals come from the Paris area. Britons remain most numerous foreign group
Second-home Britons urged to ask their French MP for visa plan support We explain what the Senate has put forward for British second-home owners and what goes to MPs on December 11 for final debate
How do we buy out our friends’ share of French property? Providing everything is agreed amicably, the process should be quicker than a normal transaction. Helen Fullerton of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query
Price changes, rental strife, tax explainer: French property round-up Our pick of recent property articles that you might have missed
Normandy senator: British homeowners should not be penalised by Brexit Britons are ‘perfectly integrated’, says politician who presented automatic visa scheme to the senators
‘Life-changing’: Second-home owners on French Senate’s visa support Questions still remain despite the positive feedback from Britons who face different visiting rules post-Brexit
French senate backs ‘automatic visa’ right for UK second-home owners However, two other amendments including a five-year 'homeowner' visa were rejected
What capital gains tax is due when selling inherited French property? Capital gains tax may not be the only liability upon sale of an inherited house
What is ‘automatic visa right’ backed by French senators for Britons? The Senate – upper house of parliament – has voted through new proposed rights for Britons who own second homes in France
Refunds due as €600m of French property tax ‘billed to wrong people' The money will be paid back this year and is said to be in part due to backlogs in registering changes in property ownership since the Covid pandemic
Foreign second-home owners: what are French senators’ three proposals? We explain the different amendments to the new immigration bill that aim to simplify visits
