Equity Release in France When Banks Say No: Solutions for FICP and Credit-Challenged Owners
Property-rich but cash-poor? Refused by every French bank? We provide 30–50% of your property value in 45 days — regardless of your credit status, FICP listing, or nationality.
The Problem: Property-Rich, Cash-Poor, Refused by Every Bank
You own a valuable property in France — perhaps a villa in Provence, an apartment on the Côte d'Azur, a farmhouse in the Dordogne, or a home in Brittany. On paper, you are wealthy. But in practice, you cannot access the cash locked in your property.
You have tried French banks. They have refused you. Perhaps because you are registered on the FICP (France's credit incident database). Perhaps because you have no French income, no French pension, no French banking history. Perhaps because, post-Brexit, your British passport no longer opens the doors it once did. Perhaps because you have outstanding debts, a divorce settlement to fund, or tax arrears to clear.
Standard equity release providers — including the one or two that operate in English — cannot help either. They work through regulated French lending channels that require clean credit records. If you are on the FICP, they have no solution for you.
We do. This is the exact situation we were built to solve. We are the only English-language service in France that specialises in equity release for property owners with credit difficulties.
What Is the FICP? France's Credit Incident Database Explained
The FICP (Fichier des Incidents de remboursement des Crédits aux Particuliers) is a database maintained by the Banque de France. It records individuals who have experienced credit repayment incidents — missed loan payments, loan defaults, terminated credit agreements, or personal insolvency proceedings (surendettement).
Once you are listed on the FICP, every regulated financial institution in France is legally required to consult this file before granting credit. In practice, an FICP listing results in an automatic refusal from virtually all French banks and mainstream lenders. This applies to mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, and standard equity release products.
How you end up on the FICP
- Missing 2+ loan or credit card repayments
- Having a loan terminated by the lender for non-payment
- Filing for personal insolvency (surendettement)
- Bounced cheques above EUR 15 (via the FCC, a related file)
How long it lasts
- 5 years for payment incidents (even if you repay the debt)
- 7 years for personal insolvency filings
- Automatic removal after the period expires
- Early removal possible if all debts are fully repaid
Why Traditional Equity Release Providers Refuse FICP-Listed Owners
Traditional equity release products in France — including the lifetime mortgage (prêt viager hypothécaire) — are offered by regulated French lenders. These lenders are legally obligated to consult the FICP before granting any form of credit.
Even competitors who market to English-speaking expats (such as PraxiFinance) operate through these regulated channels. They simply cannot lend to FICP-listed applicants, regardless of how valuable the property is. The FICP check is not optional — it is a legal requirement under French banking law.
This creates an absurd situation: you might own a property worth EUR 500,000 or more, yet be unable to access EUR 50,000 in cash simply because of a credit incident that may have occurred years ago. Your property is valuable. Your credit file is not. And banks only look at the credit file.
Property-Backed Advance: 30–50%, 45 Days, No Credit Check
We work outside the traditional French banking system through private funding partners who evaluate your property, not your credit file.
30-50% LTV
Access 30% to 50% of your property value as a lump sum. Property must be valued at EUR 150,000 or above.
45 Days
From initial assessment to funds in your account. Significantly faster than any traditional bank or equity release provider.
No Credit Check
No FICP consultation, no credit scoring, no income verification. The advance is secured by your property value alone.
2-Year Term
No monthly repayments during the 2-year term. You keep your property and continue to live in or rent it.
Who Qualifies? The Only Requirement Is Property Ownership
Our eligibility criteria are deliberately simple. If you own property in France, we can most likely help you.
You qualify if:
- You own a property in mainland France or Corsica
- Property value is at least EUR 150,000
- You are listed on the FICP or have credit difficulties
- You have been refused by French banks
- You are any nationality (UK, US, EU, other)
- You have no French income or pension
We cannot help if:
- Your property is outside mainland France/Corsica
- Property value is below EUR 150,000
- The property has already been seized
- You do not legally own the property
Real Situations We Help With
Every case is different, but these are the situations we see most often from English-speaking property owners in France.
Post-Brexit British Retirees
UK nationals who moved to France before Brexit and now find themselves locked out of French banking. No French pension, no S1 form, savings running out — but sitting on a valuable property. We help them access liquidity without selling their home.
Americans with No French Credit History
US citizens who own property in France but have no relationship with French banks. Excellent credit in the US means nothing in France. Our property-based assessment bypasses the French credit system entirely.
Divorced Expats Needing to Settle
Expat couples going through divorce who need to buy out a spouse or settle a financial judgment. The property is jointly owned, time is pressing, and banks refuse to lend during divorce proceedings. We can move in 45 days.
Facing Property Seizure (Saisie Immobiliere)
Property owners who have received a commandement de payer or are already in seizure proceedings. We can intervene to provide the funds needed to stop the seizure, settle debts, and give you time to plan your next steps.
FICP-Listed After a Difficult Period
Owners who ended up on the FICP after a period of financial difficulty — perhaps a business failure, illness, or family crisis. The debts may even be repaid, but the FICP listing persists for 5-7 years. We provide liquidity during this period.
Retirement Funding Gap
Retirees whose pension does not cover their living costs in France. Rather than sell the family home and relocate, they use our property advance to bridge the gap, fund healthcare, or cover major expenses while keeping their home for 2 more years.
The Process: 3 Steps to Access Your Property's Value
From first contact to funds in your account in approximately 45 days.
Free Assessment
48 hours
Submit the form below or call us. We evaluate your property and situation within 48 hours. We will tell you clearly whether we can help and how much you can access. This assessment is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.
Property Valuation
1-2 weeks
An independent expert visits and values your property. Based on the valuation, we confirm the exact advance amount (30-50% of market value). All communication is in English. There are no hidden fees at this stage.
Funds Released
Day 45
Once everything is approved and the notarial deed is signed, the funds are released to your account. You keep your property and have 2 years to repay. No monthly payments during the term.
Frequently Asked Questions: FICP & Credit Difficulties
Detailed answers to the most common questions from property owners with credit challenges.
What exactly is the FICP and why does it block me from borrowing?
Can I really release equity if I am FICP-listed?
How is this different from a standard equity release or lifetime mortgage?
What happens at the end of the 2-year term?
Is my property at risk of being seized?
I am a British/American expat with no French pension. Can I still apply?
Get Your Free Confidential Assessment
Tell us about your property and situation. An English-speaking advisor will contact you within 48 hours. No obligation, no judgment.
FICP-listed? Mention it in the message field. We specialise in exactly this situation and can confirm eligibility quickly.
Why Trust Us
Financial intermediary
Families helped
Bilingual team
Based in France
This service is available to property owners in mainland France and Corsica. Minimum property value: EUR 150,000. Financement-FICP.fr is a registered financial intermediary (IOBSP/IAS). FICP-listed owners accepted. All consultations are confidential.