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Comparison Guide for Expat Property Owners

Remortgage Your French Property: Options When Traditional Banks Won't Help

Refused by a French bank? Compare your options honestly — traditional remortgage vs. equity advance — and find the right solution for your situation.

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Why Expats Struggle to Remortgage in France

If you own property in France but live abroad, remortgaging through a traditional bank can be extremely difficult. Here is why.

Post-Brexit Restrictions

Since Brexit, UK nationals are classified as non-EU residents by French banks. Most major banks (BNP, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale) have drastically reduced lending to non-EU nationals or stopped entirely.

No French Income

French banks require proof of stable income — preferably French. If your pension or salary is paid outside France, most banks will not consider your application, regardless of how much you earn.

Age Limits

French banks typically impose strict age limits on mortgage lending, often refusing applicants over 70 or even 65. Insurance requirements (assurance emprunteur) become prohibitively expensive or unavailable past certain ages.

Credit Difficulties (FICP)

If you have any credit incidents in France or are listed on the FICP register, every French bank will automatically refuse your application. There are no exceptions within the banking system.

Traditional Remortgage vs. Equity Advance

An honest, side-by-side comparison so you can decide which option suits your situation.

CriteriaTraditional RemortgageEquity Advance
Timeline8-12 weeks45 days
French bank accountRequiredNot required
Income proofRequired (French preferred)Not required
Credit checkYes (FICP = automatic refusal)No credit check
Age limitTypically under 70No upper age limit
Amount availableUp to 70-80% LTV30-50% of property value
Repayment term10-25 yearsUp to 2 years
Interest ratesLower (2-4%)Higher (private funding)
Non-EU applicantsVery difficult since BrexitAccepted
Monthly repaymentsYesNone during term

Neither option is universally better — the right choice depends on your specific financial situation, timeline, and eligibility.

When a Remortgage Works

A traditional remortgage is the better option if you meet all of these criteria:

  • Clean credit history (no FICP listing)
  • Stable French income or substantial pension
  • Under 70 years old
  • French bank account in good standing
  • No urgency (8-12 weeks minimum)
  • EU nationality or established French residency

Our advice: If you meet all criteria above, explore a traditional remortgage first. It offers longer terms and lower rates.

When an Equity Advance Is Better

Our equity advance solution is designed for situations where banks cannot help:

  • Refused by French banks
  • Listed on FICP (credit difficulties)
  • Over 65 with no French income
  • Non-EU national (UK post-Brexit, US, etc.)
  • Urgent need (funds within 45 days)
  • No French bank account
  • Facing property seizure or debt proceedings
  • Complex financial situation (divorce, inheritance)

Key advantage: We evaluate your property, not your credit score or banking history.

Requirements: Side by Side

What you need for each option — so you can quickly assess which route is open to you.

Traditional Remortgage

  • French bank account
  • Proof of income (French preferred)
  • Clean credit history
  • Borrower insurance (assurance emprunteur)
  • Property valuation
  • Tax returns (3 years)
  • Proof of residence
  • Identity documents

Equity Advance

  • Property in mainland France or Corsica
  • Minimum property value: EUR 150,000
  • Property title deed
  • Identity documents
  • Property valuation (we arrange this)

Not required:

  • No French bank account
  • No income proof
  • No credit check
  • No borrower insurance
  • No age limit

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about remortgaging and equity advances for French property.

Can I remortgage a French property if I live in the UK?
Since Brexit, it has become significantly harder for UK residents to remortgage French property through traditional French banks. Most banks now classify UK nationals as non-EU and apply stricter lending criteria. However, our equity advance solution works regardless of where you live, as it is based on the property value rather than your residency status.
What is the difference between a remortgage and an equity advance?
A remortgage replaces your existing mortgage with a new, larger one through a bank, releasing the difference as cash. An equity advance is a private funding arrangement secured against your property that does not require a bank at all. The equity advance is faster (45 days vs. 8-12 weeks), does not require income proof or credit checks, but has a shorter repayment term (up to 2 years).
How much can I borrow through a French remortgage?
Through a traditional remortgage, French banks typically lend up to 70-80% of the property value (loan-to-value), minus your existing mortgage balance. Through an equity advance, you can access 30-50% of the property value. The key difference is accessibility: the remortgage requires full financial documentation while the equity advance does not.
Can I remortgage a French property that is mortgage-free?
Yes, if the property is fully paid off, you can take out a new mortgage (sometimes called a cash-out remortgage) or use our equity advance service. A mortgage-free property actually makes both options easier, though the equity advance remains the faster route with fewer requirements.
What are the typical costs of remortgaging in France?
French remortgage costs include notaire fees (approximately 1-2% of the loan amount), bank arrangement fees, property valuation fees, and potentially early repayment charges on your existing mortgage. Our equity advance has transparent pricing that we explain upfront during your free assessment, with notaire fees being the primary cost.

Explore More Options

Equity Release Overview
Full guide for expats
Lifetime Mortgage
Prêt viager hypothécaire
Equity Release & FICP
Solutions for credit difficulties
All FAQs
Comprehensive Q&A

Not Sure Which Option Is Right for You?

Tell us about your situation and an English-speaking advisor will help you compare your options. Free, confidential, no obligation.

Your information is confidential and will only be used to process your request. We never share your data with third parties.

En soumettant ce formulaire, vous acceptez d'être recontacté par un conseiller de notre réseau de partenaires.

contact@financement-ficp.fr

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).