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
This guide gives you the real numbers on how much money you need to retire in France, including current housing prices, rent levels, and monthly budgets for different lifestyles.
We constantly update this blog post with fresh data from official French sources like INSEE, the Notaires de France, and the French government's public service portal.
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 France.
Fact-checked and reviewed by our local expert
Maxence Toulouse 🇫🇷
General Manager of Iddyl Property
How much money do I need to retire in France right now?
What's the absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in France?
The absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in France in 2026 is around 1,500 euros (approximately $1,770 or £1,480) for a single person living outside Paris, though the French government's official "visitor" resources threshold sits at about 1,150 euros per month as the bare administrative floor.
At this minimum budget level in France, you can cover basic rent in a smaller regional city, simple groceries, essential utilities, and public transportation, but little else beyond necessities.
Living on this minimum budget in France means accepting significant trade-offs: you would need to live in an affordable area like Saint-Etienne or Mulhouse rather than Paris or the Riviera, skip dining out almost entirely, limit travel, and potentially delay non-urgent healthcare expenses.
What lifestyle do I get with $2,000/month in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $2,000 per month (about 1,720 euros) in France gives you a simple but manageable lifestyle in regional cities like Toulouse, Nantes, or Montpellier, though it would feel quite tight in Paris.
On this budget in France, you can realistically afford a small one-bedroom apartment renting for 600 to 800 euros ($700 to $940) per month in neighborhoods like Saint-Cyprien in Toulouse or Zola-Contrie in Nantes, leaving around 900 to 1,100 euros for everything else.
Social and leisure activities accessible on $2,000 per month in France include enjoying local markets, visiting free museums on designated days, taking walks along rivers or coastlines, and occasionally dining at neighborhood bistros where a prix-fixe lunch might cost 12 to 18 euros.
The main limitation at this budget level in France is that unexpected expenses like dental work, appliance repairs, or travel back home can quickly strain your finances, and you will need to be very deliberate about discretionary spending.
What lifestyle do I get with $3,000/month in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $3,000 per month (about 2,580 euros) in France provides a comfortable lifestyle with room to enjoy daily pleasures, whether you choose a major regional city or a modest apartment in certain Paris neighborhoods.
On this budget in France, you can afford a proper one-bedroom apartment in central Lyon (Monplaisir or Croix-Rousse) or Bordeaux (Chartrons) for around 900 to 1,100 euros ($1,060 to $1,300) per month, or a smaller place in Paris neighborhoods like the 13th or 15th arrondissement.
At the $3,000 per month level in France, dining out becomes a regular option rather than a rare treat, you can take weekend trips to nearby regions by TGV train, subscribe to cultural events, and comfortably afford a good mutuelle (private health top-up insurance) with dental and vision coverage.
The key upgrade compared to $2,000 per month in France is the breathing room: you can handle a surprise car repair or medical expense without derailing your budget, and you have genuine choice about where and how you live rather than being forced into the cheapest option available.
What lifestyle do I get with $5,000/month in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $5,000 per month (about 4,300 euros) in France unlocks an easy, comfortable lifestyle in almost any city including central Paris, while $10,000 per month (about 8,600 euros) moves you into genuine luxury territory with premium addresses and services.
At $5,000 per month in France, you can rent a spacious two-bedroom apartment in desirable Paris neighborhoods like Le Marais (4th) or Canal Saint-Martin (10th) for around 2,000 to 2,500 euros ($2,350 to $2,940), while at $10,000 per month you can access prime addresses in Saint-Germain-des-Pres (6th) or Passy (16th) with rents of 4,000 to 5,500 euros ($4,700 to $6,500).
In the $5,000 to $10,000 per month range in France, you gain access to premium healthcare with private clinic options, regular fine dining at Michelin-starred restaurants, frequent international travel, memberships at tennis or golf clubs, and the option to hire occasional household help or a housekeeper.
How much for a "comfortable" retirement in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, a comfortable retirement in France requires around 2,400 to 3,200 euros per month ($2,830 to $3,770) in regional France, or 3,500 to 5,000 euros per month ($4,120 to $5,900) in Paris and its close suburbs.
We recommend adding a 15% buffer on top of your planned monthly spend in France, which means setting aside an extra 360 to 750 euros ($425 to $885) per month to handle rent increases tied to the IRL index, energy price swings, and unexpected healthcare costs.
A comfortable retirement budget in France covers expenses that a basic budget does not, including a quality mutuelle with good dental and vision reimbursement, regular restaurant meals, domestic travel several times per year, cultural subscriptions like theater or concert series, and the flexibility to replace household items or handle maintenance without stress.
How much for a "luxury" retirement in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, a luxury retirement in France requires around 5,000 to 8,000 euros per month ($5,900 to $9,400) in regional France, or 8,000 to 12,000 euros per month ($9,400 to $14,150) or more in Paris and premium coastal areas.
A luxury retirement budget in France covers a spacious apartment of 100 square meters or more in a prestigious building with elevator and concierge (costing 3,000 to 5,000 euros per month), premium private healthcare with immediate specialist access, regular fine dining, a personal trainer or spa memberships, and international travel several times per year.
The most popular neighborhoods among retirees seeking a luxury lifestyle in France include Saint-Germain-des-Pres (6th arrondissement) and the Golden Triangle (8th) in Paris, the Carre d'Or in Nice, the Chartrons and Triangle d'Or in Bordeaux, and the Presqu'ile area in Lyon.
The main advantage of a luxury budget beyond comfort in France is access to flexibility and peace of mind: you can choose the best medical specialists without waiting, hire help when needed, live in buildings with security and services, and never worry about whether you can afford to visit family or handle an emergency.
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.
What are the real monthly expenses for retirees in France in 2026?
What is a realistic monthly budget breakdown by category in France?
A realistic monthly budget breakdown for a single retiree living comfortably in regional France in 2026 totals around 2,800 euros ($3,300): rent at 900 euros, utilities and internet at 180 euros, groceries at 400 euros, transport at 90 euros, healthcare at 200 euros, dining and leisure at 300 euros, clothing and miscellaneous at 200 euros, admin fees at 70 euros, and travel at 300 euros.
Housing costs in France typically consume 30% to 40% of the total monthly budget for retirees, which translates to roughly 840 to 1,120 euros ($990 to $1,320) out of a 2,800 euro monthly spend, and this share rises sharply if you choose Paris.
Food and groceries in France typically account for about 14% to 18% of the total monthly budget, or roughly 400 to 500 euros ($470 to $590) per month for a single person who cooks at home and shops at markets and supermarkets like Carrefour or Leclerc.
The budget category that varies most depending on personal lifestyle choices in France is dining and entertainment, which can range from 100 euros per month for someone who rarely eats out to 600 euros or more for someone who enjoys restaurants, wine bars, and cultural events regularly.
What fees surprise foreigners most after moving to France?
The top three hidden or overlooked fees that foreigners typically underestimate in France are: the residence permit fee of 269 euros ($317) for the "visiteur" card, the mandatory mutuelle (private health top-up insurance) costing 100 to 200 euros per month that most retirees need for proper coverage, and the taxe fonciere (property tax) if you buy, which can easily reach 1,500 to 3,000 euros per year depending on the commune.
One-time setup or administrative fees foreigners should budget for when first arriving in France include the long-stay visa application fee of 99 euros ($117), the residence permit fee of 269 euros ($317), potential translation and legalization costs for documents of 200 to 400 euros ($235 to $470), and initial deposits for housing and utilities that can total 2 to 3 months of rent.
What's the average rent for a 1-bedroom or a 2-bedroom in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in France ranges from about 500 euros ($590) in affordable regional cities to 1,050 euros ($1,235) in Paris, while a 2-bedroom ranges from 650 euros ($765) in regional areas to 1,580 euros ($1,860) in Paris.
The realistic rent range for a 1-bedroom in France in 2026 spans from about 400 euros ($470) per month in budget neighborhoods of cities like Saint-Etienne or Limoges, up to 1,500 euros ($1,765) or more for a well-located apartment in central Paris arrondissements like the 6th or 7th.
The realistic rent range for a 2-bedroom in France in 2026 spans from about 550 euros ($648) per month in affordable regional cities, up to 2,200 euros ($2,590) or more for a spacious apartment in desirable Paris neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods offering the best value for retirees seeking affordable rent in France include Monplaisir and the 8th arrondissement in Lyon, Saint-Cyprien in Toulouse, Capucins-Victoire in Bordeaux, Liberation in Nice, and the 13th and 15th arrondissements in Paris.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the latest rent data in France.
What do utilities cost monthly in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, the total monthly utilities cost for a typical retiree apartment of 50 to 70 square meters in France runs between 130 and 220 euros ($153 to $259), depending on heating type, building insulation, and seasonal usage.
The typical monthly cost breakdown for utilities in France in 2026 includes electricity at 60 to 140 euros ($71 to $165), water at 20 to 35 euros ($24 to $41), and gas (if applicable) at 40 to 120 euros ($47 to $141), with electric heating generally costing more than gas central heating in well-insulated buildings.
Internet and mobile phone service in France typically costs 30 to 60 euros ($35 to $71) per month combined, with fiber internet packages from providers like Orange or Free running around 25 to 40 euros and mobile plans with generous data from Free Mobile or Bouygues starting at 10 to 20 euros.
What's the monthly food and transportation budget for one person in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, the combined monthly food and transportation budget for one person in France ranges from about 400 to 700 euros ($470 to $825), with groceries typically accounting for 350 to 550 euros and transport for 60 to 150 euros if relying on public transit.
The realistic monthly grocery budget for a single retiree cooking at home in France ranges from 300 euros ($353) for very careful shopping at discount chains like Lidl, up to 550 euros ($648) for someone who regularly buys organic produce, quality meats, and good wine from local markets.
Dining out regularly versus cooking at home makes a significant difference in France: a retiree who eats restaurant lunches five times per week (at 15 to 25 euros each) adds 300 to 500 euros ($353 to $589) per month, while someone who cooks most meals and dines out only occasionally might spend just 100 to 150 euros ($118 to $177) extra.
Monthly transportation costs in France using public transit run about 65 to 90 euros ($77 to $106) for a senior monthly pass in most cities, while owning and operating a car costs significantly more at 250 to 500 euros ($295 to $589) per month when you factor in insurance, fuel, maintenance, and parking.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in France
Don't base significant investment decisions on outdated data. Get updated and accurate information with our guide.
Can I retire in France if I want to buy property in 2026?
What's the average home price in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, the median home price in France is approximately 240,000 euros ($283,000), while the average home price sits higher at around 270,000 euros ($318,000) because luxury properties in Paris and the Riviera pull the average upward.
The realistic price range for residential property in France in 2026 spans from about 80,000 to 120,000 euros ($94,000 to $141,000) for a small apartment in affordable cities like Saint-Etienne or Mulhouse, up to 1.5 million euros ($1.77 million) or more for a renovated apartment in prime Paris arrondissements like the 6th or 7th.
For retirees in France, older apartments in well-maintained buildings often offer the best value because they are typically larger than new construction at the same price point, located in established neighborhoods with services nearby, and available at lower prices per square meter than new-build projects that carry a 10% to 20% premium.
Please note that you will find all the information you need in our pack about properties in France.
What down payment do foreigners usually need in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners buying property in France typically need a down payment of 20% to 30% of the purchase price, plus an additional 7% to 8% for transaction costs (primarily notary fees and taxes), meaning you should plan for roughly 30% to 40% of the property value in cash, or 72,000 to 96,000 euros ($85,000 to $113,000) for a 240,000 euro home.
Foreigners in France generally face higher down payment requirements than French residents because banks consider non-resident income harder to verify and enforce, which means lenders typically want more equity to offset the perceived risk of lending to someone whose assets and income streams are abroad.
We have a document entirely dedicated to the mortgage process in our pack about properties in France.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in France.
What's the all-in monthly cost to own in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, the all-in monthly cost to own a typical 250,000 euro property in France with a 25-year mortgage at around 3.1% interest runs approximately 1,350 to 1,650 euros ($1,590 to $1,945), depending on your location and the specific building charges.
The specific costs included in the all-in monthly ownership figure in France are: mortgage principal and interest at roughly 1,200 euros ($1,415), home insurance at 30 to 50 euros ($35 to $59), maintenance reserve at 50 to 150 euros ($59 to $177), and property tax (taxe fonciere) equivalent to 60 to 200 euros ($71 to $236) per month depending on the commune.
The typical monthly property tax (taxe fonciere) and building maintenance fees (charges de copropriete) in France vary enormously: taxe fonciere can range from 60 euros per month in some areas to 200 euros or more in others, while co-ownership charges for a standard apartment run 100 to 250 euros ($118 to $295) per month depending on building services like an elevator or concierge.
The hidden ownership cost that catches new buyers off guard in France is often the energy renovation requirement: buildings with poor energy ratings (F or G on the DPE scale) face rental restrictions and may require costly upgrades of 10,000 to 30,000 euros or more, which is now a serious consideration since G-rated properties cannot legally be rented as of January 2025.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing the property taxes and fees in France.
Is buying cheaper than renting in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, buying is often cheaper than renting in regional France over the medium term: for a 250,000 euro property in Lyon or Bordeaux, the all-in monthly ownership cost of around 1,400 euros ($1,650) can be comparable to or slightly higher than renting a similar property at 1,100 to 1,300 euros ($1,295 to $1,530), but you build equity rather than paying a landlord.
The typical break-even point where buying becomes cheaper than renting in France is around 7 to 10 years, which is the time needed to recoup the substantial upfront transaction costs (notary fees of 7% to 8%) through equity accumulation and potential appreciation.
Key factors that make buying more or less attractive than renting for retirees in France include: building energy ratings (a poor DPE score means costly renovations), the stability of your plans (if you might leave within 5 years, renting is safer), access to financing (non-residents pay higher rates), and local market dynamics (Paris prices have corrected while some regional cities like Nice remain at highs).
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 visas, taxes, and healthcare costs should I plan for in France in 2026?
What retirement visa options exist in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, the main retirement visa option in France is the Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur), which costs 99 euros ($117) for the initial visa application plus 269 euros ($317) for the residence permit, totaling about 368 euros ($434) to get started.
The key financial requirements to qualify for a retirement visa in France include proof of stable passive income of at least 1,400 to 1,800 euros ($1,650 to $2,120) net per month for a single person (roughly equivalent to France's minimum wage, the SMIC), plus private health insurance with at least 30,000 euros of coverage including repatriation.
The typical annual visa renewal cost in France is approximately 269 euros ($317) for the residence permit stamp, and the process requires submitting updated proof of income, health insurance, and accommodation to your local prefecture at least two months before expiration.
The most common visa mistake foreign retirees encounter in France is underestimating the income documentation requirements: consulates want to see consistent, verifiable passive income from pensions, investments, or savings, and applicants who rely on irregular freelance work or cannot clearly document their income sources often face delays or rejections.
Please note that we keep this page updated with the residency pathways in France.
Do I pay tax on foreign income in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, if you become a French tax resident, France generally taxes you on your worldwide income, which means foreign pensions, investment income, and rental income must be declared on your French tax return, though the actual tax owed depends heavily on tax treaties and credits.
Types of foreign income that are typically taxed or exempt in France vary by source: US Social Security benefits are taxed only in the US under the France-US tax treaty, private pensions are generally taxed in France, investment income and capital gains are usually taxable in France, and rental income from foreign property may be taxed in both countries with credits to avoid double taxation.
France has tax treaties with most major countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, and these treaties typically determine which country has primary taxing rights on specific income types and provide mechanisms (like foreign tax credits) to prevent being taxed twice on the same income.
The single most important tax rule foreign retirees should understand before moving to France is that becoming a French tax resident triggers worldwide income reporting obligations, so you should consult a cross-border tax advisor before relocating to structure your income sources and understand how the family quotient system (which can reduce your effective tax rate) will apply to your situation.
What health insurance do retirees need in France in 2026?
As of early 2026, retirees in France typically need private health insurance initially (costing 100 to 350 euros or $118 to $413 per month depending on age and coverage level), and after establishing stable residency, most add a mutuelle (top-up insurance) at 80 to 200 euros ($94 to $236) per month to complement the public system.
Foreigners can access France's public healthcare system (PUMa) after establishing stable and regular residence, which typically means three months of continuous presence in France, though you must maintain private insurance during the visa application and initial settlement period as a condition of your visa.
The realistic total annual healthcare budget for a retiree in France in 2026 ranges from 1,800 to 4,200 euros ($2,120 to $4,950), covering mutuelle premiums of 1,000 to 2,400 euros, out-of-pocket costs for items not fully reimbursed of 300 to 800 euros, and a buffer for dental, vision, and specialist care of 500 to 1,000 euros.
Buying real estate in France 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.
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 France, 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 France | Official French government public service guidance published by DILA. | We used it to anchor the minimum resources required for visitor residency status. We also referenced it for residence permit fees. |
| France-Visas | Official French government visa portal with published fee tables. | We used it for long-stay visa application fee figures. We referenced it for annual renewal cost planning. |
| OLAP Rent Observatory | Long-running official rent observatory for Paris with transparent methodology. | We used it to estimate actual rent levels in Paris and surrounding areas. We then mapped these to typical apartment sizes for retirees. |
| INSEE | France's national statistics institute producing official economic data. | We used it for property price trends and household spending patterns. We cross-referenced with notary data for accuracy. |
| Notaires de France | Official notary network publishing transaction-based market statistics. | We used it for price per square meter data by region. We relied on it as our primary cross-check for property valuations. |
| Banque de France | France's central bank publishing official credit market statistics. | We used it to set realistic mortgage rate assumptions. We stress-tested ownership costs with rate buffers based on their data. |
| CRE (Energy Regulator) | France's official energy regulator publishing regulated tariff structures. | We used it to ground electricity cost assumptions in official pricing. We translated tariffs into monthly ranges for typical apartments. |
| Ameli | Official French health insurance portal run by the government. | We used it to explain public healthcare access rules for residents. We referenced it to size realistic healthcare budgets. |
| European Central Bank | Official ECB reference exchange rates dataset. | We used it to convert USD budgets into EUR transparently. We maintained buffers for month-to-month currency fluctuations. |
| Numbeo | Large crowdsourced cost of living database with consistent methodology. | We used it as a cross-reference for everyday expense estimates. We validated their figures against official French sources. |
| SeLoger | Major French real estate portal with extensive listing data. | We used it for current market pricing snapshots in early 2026. We triangulated listings against notary transaction data. |
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.
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