Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the France Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our France Property Pack
Burgundy remains one of France's most attractive regions for foreign property buyers, blending historic stone villages, renowned wine country, and prices well below Paris or the Côte d'Azur.
This guide covers everything you need to know about buying property as a foreigner in Burgundy in January 2026, from ownership rules and visa requirements to closing costs and mortgage options.
We keep this blog post constantly updated with the latest figures, tax rates, and regulatory changes so you always have current information.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Burgundy.
Insights
- Foreigners face no nationality-based restrictions when buying residential property in Burgundy, which is unusual compared to many European wine regions with tighter land controls.
- Closing costs on existing Burgundy homes typically run around 7.5% of the purchase price, with transfer taxes (droits de mutation) making up the bulk of that figure.
- Non-resident buyers in Burgundy can realistically expect mortgage rates between 3.5% and 4.2% in January 2026, roughly 0.5 to 1 percentage point above what French residents pay.
- Buying property in Burgundy does not grant residency or a visa, as France has no golden visa program tied purely to real estate investment.
- Annual property tax (taxe foncière) for a typical Burgundy house ranges from about 900 to 2,500 euros, with larger countryside properties often exceeding that.
- Old stone houses in Burgundy frequently score poorly on energy performance diagnostics (DPE), which can trigger mandatory renovations if you plan to rent the property.
- Non-residents renting out Burgundy property often pay 17.2% in social contributions on rental income, though EU-affiliated owners may qualify for a reduced 7.5% solidarity levy instead.
- The notary is mandatory for all property transfers in Burgundy, but you can sign the final deed remotely through a power of attorney if you cannot attend in person.
What can I legally buy and truly own as a foreigner in Burgundy?
What property types can foreigners legally buy in Burgundy right now?
In January 2026, foreigners can legally buy apartments, houses, village homes, farmhouses, and the land attached to them in Burgundy with no nationality-based restrictions whatsoever.
The main practical hurdles are not about your passport but about banking compliance, proof of funds, and whether you can secure a mortgage if you need financing.
This means you can purchase anything from a studio apartment in Dijon to a stone longère with outbuildings in a wine village, all fully in your own name as freehold ownership.
That said, if you buy near vineyards or agricultural parcels, the SAFER (a French rural land agency) may have pre-emption rights, so your notary will flag this during due diligence.
Finally, please note that our pack about the property market in Burgundy is specifically tailored to foreigners.
Can I own land in my own name in Burgundy right now?
Yes, foreigners can own residential land in their own name in Burgundy, and when you buy a house, you typically acquire both the building and its plot as full freehold ownership.
The distinction that matters is not your nationality but the type of land: ordinary residential plots are straightforward, while agricultural or vineyard parcels can trigger SAFER pre-emption and additional agricultural regulations.
If your purchase includes any parcel classified as agricultural, your notary will identify this and explain the extra steps, which is common around Burgundy's wine villages where residential and vineyard land often sit side by side.
By the way, we cover everything there is to know about the land buying process in Burgundy here.
As of 2026, what other key foreign-ownership rules or limits should I know in Burgundy?
As of January 2026, there are no foreign-ownership quotas or caps on residential property in Burgundy, so the constraints you face apply equally to French and foreign buyers alike.
Unlike some countries, France does not impose a maximum percentage of foreign owners in apartment buildings (copropriétés), though building by-laws may restrict short-term rentals or business use regardless of your nationality.
Foreign buyers do not need government approval to purchase, but you will need to comply with anti-money-laundering checks, provide identity documents, and show proof of funds to the notary.
There are no major regulatory changes specific to foreign ownership expected in Burgundy for 2026, though energy performance rules (DPE requirements for rentals) continue to tighten nationwide and affect all owners equally.
What's the biggest ownership mistake foreigners make in Burgundy right now?
The single biggest mistake foreigners make when buying in Burgundy is underestimating renovation and energy upgrade costs on charming old stone properties that score poorly on the DPE energy diagnostic.
If you buy a house with a low energy rating and plan to rent it out, you may face mandatory renovations costing tens of thousands of euros, or find you cannot legally let the property at all until improvements are made.
Other classic pitfalls include not checking septic system compliance (very common in rural Burgundy), ignoring unclear boundary lines or rights of way, and assuming that buying property will somehow help with visa or residency applications when it does not.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in France. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which visa or residency status changes what I can do in Burgundy?
Do I need a specific visa to buy property in Burgundy right now?
You do not need any special visa to buy property in Burgundy, and many foreigners complete purchases while visiting on a standard tourist stay of up to 90 days.
The main administrative barrier for non-residents is not the purchase itself but staying longer than 90 days: if you want to oversee renovations or live in the property, you will generally need a long-stay visa based on your nationality and situation.
You do not need a French tax ID before buying, as the notary can proceed with your passport and required declarations, but you will need to register with French tax authorities later for property tax and any rental income obligations.
Typical documents a foreign buyer must present include a valid passport, proof of address, proof of funds or mortgage approval, and source-of-funds documentation for anti-money-laundering compliance.
Does buying property help me get residency and citizenship in Burgundy in 2026?
As of January 2026, buying property in Burgundy does not grant you residency or citizenship, because France does not offer a golden visa or investor residency program tied purely to real estate purchase.
Property ownership can support a broader residency application as proof of accommodation and ties to France, but it is not a substitute for qualifying through work, family, retirement, or other standard visa pathways.
If you want to live in Burgundy long-term, you will need to apply for an appropriate long-stay visa first, then build toward permanent residency through years of legal residence, and eventually naturalization if you seek citizenship.
We give you all the details you need about the different pathways to get residency and citizenship in Burgundy here.
Can I legally rent out property on my visa in Burgundy right now?
Your visa status does not determine whether you can rent out property in Burgundy, because ownership itself grants you the right to earn rental income regardless of where you live or your immigration status.
You do not need to live in France to rent out your Burgundy property, and many foreign owners manage rentals remotely through local property managers or letting agents.
The key requirements are tax compliance (declaring rental income to French authorities), following the correct rental regime (unfurnished or furnished), and ensuring your property meets all diagnostic and safety standards, especially if it is in a copropriété with short-term rental restrictions.
We cover everything there is to know about buying and renting out in Burgundy here.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Burgundy
Don't base significant investment decisions on outdated data. Get updated and accurate information with our guide.
How does the buying process actually work step-by-step in Burgundy?
What are the exact steps to buy property in Burgundy right now?
The standard buying process in Burgundy follows these steps: you make an offer, sign a preliminary contract (compromis de vente), wait through a 10-day cooling-off period, allow the notary to complete checks, satisfy any mortgage conditions, and finally sign the authenticated deed (acte authentique) to become the official owner.
You do not have to be physically present for most steps, and if you cannot attend the final signing, you can grant a power of attorney (procuration) so someone can sign on your behalf at the notary's office.
The deal typically becomes legally binding for the seller once the buyer's 10-day cooling-off period expires after signing the preliminary contract, assuming no suspensive conditions remain unfulfilled.
From accepted offer to final registration, expect a timeline of roughly two to four months in Burgundy, with mortgage approvals and notary checks being the main factors that can extend or shorten this window.
We have a document entirely dedicated to the whole buying process our pack about properties in Burgundy.
Is it mandatory to get a lawyer or a notary to buy a property in Burgundy right now?
A notary is effectively mandatory for buying property in Burgundy because the final transfer deed must be an acte authentique, which only a notary can create and authenticate under French law.
The key difference is that the notary is a public officer who authenticates the transaction and ensures legal compliance, while a lawyer (avocat) provides independent legal advice and can advocate specifically for your interests in complex situations.
If you hire a lawyer, make sure their engagement explicitly covers reviewing the preliminary contract, checking for problematic clauses, and advising on any unusual parcel arrangements, easements, or heritage constraints that are common in Burgundy's older villages.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in France versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What checks should I run so I don't buy a problem property in Burgundy?
How do I verify title and ownership history in Burgundy right now?
The official way to verify title and ownership history in Burgundy is through the Service de la publicité foncière, the French land registry that records all property transfers and registered rights.
The key document to request is a copy of the previous deed (titre de propriété) along with a statement of registered rights, which your notary will obtain as part of standard due diligence.
A realistic look-back period for ownership history in Burgundy is typically 30 years, which is the standard prescription period for most property claims, though notaries often check the full chain of title back to the last major transfer.
A clear red flag that should pause any purchase is discovering unresolved inheritance disputes, missing heirs, or conflicting claims to ownership, all of which are more common with older Burgundy properties that have passed through multiple generations.
You will find here the list of classic mistakes people make when buying a property in Burgundy.
How do I confirm there are no liens in Burgundy right now?
The standard way to confirm there are no liens or mortgages on a Burgundy property is through a formal request for renseignements hypothécaires from the Service de la publicité foncière, which your notary handles as part of the transaction.
One common type of lien to specifically ask about in Burgundy is a privilège de prêteur de deniers (lender's priority charge) from a previous mortgage, as well as any legal charges (hypothèques judiciaires) from unpaid debts or court judgments against the seller.
The best written proof of lien status is the état hypothécaire, an official certificate from the land registry that shows all registered charges, mortgages, and encumbrances against the property.
How do I check zoning and permitted use in Burgundy right now?
The authority to check zoning and permitted use in Burgundy is the local mairie (town hall), which administers the Plan Local d'Urbanisme (PLU) and can issue a certificat d'urbanisme confirming what you can legally do with a property.
The single document that confirms zoning classification is the PLU map and regulations, which you can request at the mairie or often view online, along with the certificat d'urbanisme if you have specific project plans.
A common zoning pitfall foreigners miss in Burgundy is buying in a protected heritage zone (secteur sauvegardé or ABF zone) where exterior modifications, even paint colors or window replacements, require approval from the Architecte des Bâtiments de France and can be denied or heavily restricted.
Buying real estate in Burgundy can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
Can I get a mortgage as a foreigner in Burgundy, and on what terms?
Do banks lend to foreigners for homes in Burgundy in 2026?
As of January 2026, yes, French banks do lend to foreigners for homes in Burgundy, though criteria are stricter than for French residents and you should expect more documentation requirements and larger down payments.
The realistic loan-to-value range for foreign borrowers in Burgundy is typically 50% to 70%, meaning you will likely need a down payment of at least 30% to 50%, compared to residents who may borrow up to 80% or more.
The most common eligibility factor that determines whether a foreigner qualifies is demonstrable, stable income, with banks preferring euro-denominated earnings and taking a conservative view of foreign-currency income or self-employment.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in France.
Which banks are most foreigner-friendly in Burgundy in 2026?
As of January 2026, the most foreigner-friendly banks for mortgages in Burgundy include BNP Paribas (which explicitly markets to international buyers), Crédit Agricole (strong regional presence), and CIC/Crédit Mutuel (experienced with non-resident files).
What makes these banks more foreigner-friendly is their willingness to process applications from non-residents, their experience with foreign income documentation, and their dedicated international or expat banking teams.
Yes, these banks will lend to non-residents who do not live in France, though the terms are typically more conservative, and using a reputable French mortgage broker can help route your application to whichever bank is currently most open to your specific profile.
We actually have a specific document about how to get a mortgage as a foreigner in our pack covering real estate in Burgundy.
What mortgage rates are foreigners offered in Burgundy in 2026?
As of January 2026, foreigners buying in Burgundy can expect mortgage interest rates in the range of 3.5% to 4.2% nominal, compared to the French resident average of around 3.1%, reflecting the additional risk premium banks charge for non-resident borrowers.
Fixed-rate mortgages are the norm in France and typically come with slightly higher rates than variable options, but the difference is usually modest (0.2% to 0.5%), and most foreign buyers choose fixed rates for the payment certainty over 15 to 25 year terms.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in France compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What will taxes, fees, and ongoing costs look like in Burgundy?
What are the total closing costs as a percent in Burgundy in 2026?
Total closing costs when buying an existing home in Burgundy in 2026 typically run around 7.5% of the purchase price, while new-build properties cost roughly 2.5% to 3%.
The realistic low-to-high range for existing properties is 7% to 8%, with variations depending on the exact commune, property value, and whether any specific exemptions apply.
These closing costs include transfer taxes (droits de mutation), notary fees, land registry charges, and various administrative costs, all bundled together under what the French call frais de notaire.
The single biggest contributor to closing costs in Burgundy is the droits de mutation (transfer taxes), which account for roughly 5.8% of the total and go to departmental and municipal governments rather than the notary.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Burgundy.
What annual property tax should I budget in Burgundy in 2026?
As of January 2026, annual property tax (taxe foncière) for a typical Burgundy house ranges from about 900 to 2,500 euros, while apartments in towns like Dijon or Beaune generally fall between 600 and 1,600 euros, though larger countryside properties with outbuildings can exceed 2,500 euros.
Property tax in France is assessed based on the cadastral rental value of the property (valeur locative cadastrale), which is set by the tax authorities and then multiplied by rates determined by your commune, department, and other local bodies.
How is rental income taxed for foreigners in Burgundy in 2026?
As of January 2026, non-resident landlords in Burgundy typically face income tax on net rental income at a minimum rate of 20% (or 30% above certain thresholds), plus social contributions of 17.2%, though EU/EEA/Swiss-affiliated owners may qualify for exemption from CSG/CRDS and instead pay a 7.5% solidarity levy.
Foreign owners must file an annual French tax return declaring their rental income, choosing between the micro-foncier regime (30% flat deduction for unfurnished rentals under 15,000 euros gross) or the régime réel (actual expenses deducted), and must pay any tax due by the relevant deadlines.
What insurance is common and how much in Burgundy in 2026?
As of January 2026, annual home insurance premiums in Burgundy typically range from about 180 to 350 euros for owner-occupied apartments and 320 to 520 euros for houses, while non-occupant landlord policies (PNO) often cost 170 to 260 euros per year.
The most common type of property insurance coverage in Burgundy is assurance multirisque habitation (MRH), a comprehensive policy covering fire, water damage, theft, liability, and natural disasters.
The biggest factor that makes insurance premiums higher or lower for the same property type in Burgundy is the property's location and construction, with older stone houses in flood-prone or subsidence-risk areas commanding higher premiums than modern builds on stable ground.
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in Burgundy
Don't repeat the same mistakes others have made before you. Make sure everything is in order before signing your sales contract.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Burgundy, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Service-Public.fr | Official French government portal published under the Prime Minister's authority. | We used it to confirm legal requirements for the signing process, notary representation, and property diagnostics. We also referenced it for official definitions of local taxes and urban planning steps. |
| Notaires de France | Official network of public officers who authenticate all French property transfers. | We used it to ground closing costs and conveyancing procedures. We also aligned our terminology with their official definitions of acte authentique and droits de mutation. |
| Immobilier.Notaires.fr | Official real estate portal of French notaries with standardized pricing tools. | We used it to corroborate frais de notaire estimates and align cost ranges for old versus new properties. We also used it as a reference for market-specific language. |
| Banque de France | France's central bank publishing official credit statistics and rate data. | We used it to anchor mortgage rate levels using the latest available official series. We then adjusted for typical non-resident pricing differences based on market triangulation. |
| ACPR | French banking and insurance supervisor publishing system-level mortgage analysis. | We used it to cross-check the rate environment and lending condition trends. We used that to inform realistic non-resident borrowing assumptions. |
| France-Visas | Official French government portal for visa rules and procedures. | We used it to confirm that staying over 90 days requires a long-stay visa. We used it to keep the visa section accurate and grounded in current immigration law. |
| impots.gouv.fr | Official French tax authority and primary source for non-resident taxation. | We used it to confirm how rental income is taxed for non-residents and which regimes apply. We also used it for rules on social contributions and the solidarity levy. |
| cadastre.gouv.fr | Official cadastral map viewer run by the French tax administration. | We used it to explain how buyers can check parcel boundaries and plot references before purchase. We used it as a practical first-check tool for due diligence. |
| INSEE | France's national statistics institute publishing official housing stock data. | We used it to ground which housing types dominate in Burgundy. We used it to ensure our property-type focus reflects actual market reality rather than outliers. |
| ANIL | Neutral public-interest housing information network widely used in France. | We used it to confirm buyer protections and required seller diagnostics. We used it to build a low-cognitive-load checklist for problem avoidance. |
| France Assureurs | Main insurance industry federation publishing aggregated market statistics. | We used it to anchor realistic annual home insurance premiums. We used it to give ranges reflecting actual market averages rather than broker anecdotes. |
| BNP Paribas International Buyers | Major French bank with explicit non-resident mortgage documentation. | We used it as proof that major banks actively lend to foreigners. We used it to validate that non-resident mortgage products exist and to ground our bank recommendations. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of France. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
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