Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the France Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Paris' property market is included in our pack
This guide covers everything a foreign investor needs to know about renting out property in Paris in 2026, from legal requirements to realistic yield expectations.
We keep this article constantly updated so the numbers and regulations reflect the current reality of the Paris rental market.
Paris has some of the strictest rental regulations in Europe, so understanding the rules before you buy is essential.
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 Paris.
Insights
- Paris gross rental yields hover around 3.3% for unfurnished and 3.8% for furnished properties in early 2026, which is lower than most European capitals but comes with exceptional tenant demand stability.
- The Paris rent control system caps your asking rent at a specific ceiling for your exact address, building age, and room count, so you cannot simply charge market rates.
- Foreigners buying Paris property specifically to Airbnb it face a near-impossible "change of use" requirement that most investors cannot legally satisfy.
- Furnished rentals in Paris command a 10% to 20% rent premium over unfurnished units, but require you to register for a SIRET number with the French tax authorities.
- The outer arrondissements like the 18th, 19th, and 20th typically deliver better yields than central Paris because purchase prices are lower while rents do not fall proportionally.
- A realistic net yield after all costs in Paris is only 1.8% to 2.5% before income tax, largely because of high building charges and strict rent control.
- Paris short-term rental occupancy averages around 64% according to AirDNA, but legal compliance is the real barrier that determines whether you can capture that revenue.
- Average nightly rates for Paris Airbnbs sit around 200 to 220 euros, but this figure is only relevant if your property qualifies for legal short-term renting.
- Landlords in Paris should budget 30% to 45% of gross rent for non-tax holding costs including building charges, management fees, and maintenance reserves.
- The standard unfurnished lease in Paris is three years, while furnished leases are typically one year, giving you different flexibility depending on your strategy.
Can I legally rent out a property in Paris as a foreigner right now?
Can a foreigner own-and-rent a residential property in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners including non-EU citizens can legally own residential property in Paris and rent it out without any nationality-based restrictions.
The main ownership structures available to foreigners for holding rental property in Paris include direct personal ownership, ownership through a French SCI (civil real estate company), or through a foreign company, though each has different tax implications.
The single most common restriction foreigners face is not about ownership but about rental type: if you want to do Airbnb-style short-term renting on a property that is not your primary residence, Paris requires a costly "change of use" authorization that is extremely difficult to obtain.
If you're not a local, you might want to read our guide to foreign property ownership in Paris.
Do I need residency to rent out in Paris right now?
No, you do not need French residency to rent out a property in Paris, and many foreign owners successfully operate as non-resident landlords using local property managers.
For unfurnished long-term rentals, you will obtain French tax identifiers through filing your rental income declaration, while furnished rentals typically require you to register for a SIRET number by declaring the start of your rental activity.
A French bank account is not legally required to collect rent in Paris, but having an EU or SEPA-compatible account makes paying building charges, insurance, utilities, and French taxes much simpler.
Managing a Paris rental property entirely remotely is practically feasible if you hire a local letting agent (called "gestion locative") or concierge service to handle keys, tenant relations, inspections, and compliance paperwork.
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What rental strategy makes the most money in Paris in 2026?
Is long-term renting more profitable than short-term in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, long-term renting is generally the more profitable strategy on a risk-adjusted basis for foreign investors in Paris because short-term renting on non-primary residences faces severe legal barriers.
A well-managed long-term rental in Paris might generate around 9,000 to 12,000 euros per year for a typical one-bedroom apartment, while a theoretical Airbnb could gross 15,000 to 20,000 euros annually, but only if you can legally operate it, which most foreign investor properties cannot.
Properties that favor short-term renting financially in Paris are typically small studios in ultra-central tourist areas like the Marais or near the Eiffel Tower, but only when the owner can demonstrate it is their registered primary residence.
What's the average gross rental yield in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average gross rental yield for residential properties in Paris is approximately 3.3% for unfurnished long-term rentals and around 3.7% to 4.0% for furnished rentals.
The realistic gross yield range that covers most residential properties in Paris spans from about 2.5% in premium central arrondissements to roughly 4.5% in well-located outer neighborhoods.
Studios and small one-bedroom apartments typically achieve the highest gross rental yields in Paris because their rent per square meter is higher while their purchase price per square meter remains comparable to larger units.
By the way, we have much more granular data about rental yields in our property pack about Paris.
What's the realistic net rental yield after costs in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, the realistic average net rental yield after all operating costs but before income tax in Paris is approximately 1.8% to 2.5%.
The realistic net yield range that most Paris landlords actually experience spans from about 1.5% in expensive central areas with high building charges to around 3.0% in well-managed outer arrondissement properties.
The three main cost categories that reduce gross yield to net yield specifically in Paris are: copropriete building charges (which are high in older Haussmann-style buildings), property management fees if you are a remote owner, and the maintenance reserve needed for frequent facade works and elevator repairs in aging Parisian buildings.
You might want to check our latest analysis about gross and net rental yields in Paris.
What monthly rent can I get in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, typical monthly rents in Paris before utilities are approximately 675 euros (740 USD) for a studio, 945 euros (1,040 USD) for a one-bedroom, and 1,485 euros (1,630 USD) for a two-bedroom unfurnished apartment.
A realistic entry-level monthly rent for a decent studio in Paris ranges from about 600 to 750 euros (660 to 825 USD), depending on the arrondissement and building condition.
A realistic mid-range monthly rent for a typical one-bedroom apartment in Paris ranges from about 850 to 1,100 euros (935 to 1,210 USD), with central locations and renovated units at the higher end.
A realistic mid-to-high monthly rent for a typical two-bedroom apartment in Paris ranges from about 1,300 to 1,800 euros (1,430 to 1,980 USD), with furnished units commanding an additional 10% to 20% premium.
If you want to know more about this topic, you can read our guide about rents and rental incomes in Paris.
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 are the real numbers I should budget for renting out in Paris in 2026?
What's the total "all-in" monthly cost to hold a rental in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated total "all-in" monthly cost to hold and maintain a typical rental property in Paris ranges from about 220 to 650 euros (240 to 715 USD) depending on the property size and whether you use a management company.
A realistic low-to-high monthly cost range that covers most standard rental properties in Paris is 220 to 420 euros (240 to 460 USD) for a studio, 260 to 500 euros (285 to 550 USD) for a one-bedroom, and 320 to 650 euros (350 to 715 USD) for a two-bedroom.
The single largest cost category contributing to monthly holding costs specifically in Paris is usually the copropriete building charges, which can run 80 to 220 euros per month and are particularly high in older Haussmann buildings with elevators, courtyards, and guardians.
You want to go into more details? Check our list of property taxes and fees you have to pay when buying a property in Paris.
What's the typical vacancy rate in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical vacancy rate for rental properties in Paris is quite low at approximately 4% to 8%, reflecting the city's persistent housing shortage and high tenant demand.
A Paris landlord should realistically budget for about one month of vacancy per year (roughly 8%) as a conservative planning assumption, to account for tenant turnover, repainting between tenants, and re-letting time under rent control constraints.
The main factor causing vacancy rates to vary between different Paris neighborhoods is transit accessibility, with properties near metro and RER stations renting faster than those requiring bus connections or longer walks.
The time of year that typically sees the highest tenant turnover and vacancy in Paris is late summer (August through September), when students and young professionals relocate before the academic and work year begins.
We have a whole part covering the best rental strategies in our pack about buying a property in Paris.
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Where do rentals perform best in Paris in 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest long-term demand in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three neighborhoods with the highest overall long-term rental demand in Paris are the 11th arrondissement (Oberkampf and Republique areas), the 10th arrondissement (Canal Saint-Martin), and the 15th arrondissement (Commerce), all offering strong metro access and neighborhood amenities.
Families looking for long-term rentals in Paris gravitate most strongly toward the 15th arrondissement (Commerce and Vaugirard), the 16th arrondissement (Passy and Auteuil), and the 17th arrondissement (Batignolles), where they find larger apartments, quality schools, and calmer streets.
Students seeking long-term rentals in Paris concentrate in the 5th arrondissement (Latin Quarter), the 13th arrondissement (Tolbiac and Bibliotheque near university campuses), and the 14th arrondissement (Montparnasse), all with good transit to major institutions.
Expats and international professionals looking for long-term rentals in Paris prefer the 7th arrondissement (Invalides), the 6th arrondissement (Saint-Germain-des-Pres), and the 16th arrondissement (Passy), where they find international schools, embassies, and turnkey furnished options.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Paris.
Which neighborhoods have the best yield in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three neighborhoods with the best rental yields in Paris are the 18th arrondissement (Jules Joffrin and parts of Clignancourt), the 19th arrondissement (Buttes-Chaumont edges), and the 20th arrondissement (Nation and Gambetta), all in the outer ring of the city.
The estimated gross rental yield range for these top-yielding Paris neighborhoods is approximately 4.0% to 4.5%, compared to only 2.5% to 3.0% in premium central areas like the 6th or 7th arrondissements.
The main characteristic that allows these outer arrondissement neighborhoods to achieve higher yields is that purchase prices are significantly lower (often 7,000 to 8,500 euros per square meter) while rents do not fall proportionally because rent control compresses the spread between cheap and expensive areas.
We cover a lot of neighborhoods and provide a lot of updated data in our pack about real estate in Paris.
Where do tenants pay the highest rents in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three neighborhoods where tenants pay the highest rents in Paris are the 6th arrondissement (Saint-Germain-des-Pres), the 7th arrondissement (Invalides and Eiffel area), and the 4th arrondissement (central Marais), all commanding premium rates.
The typical monthly rent range for a standard one-bedroom apartment in these premium Paris neighborhoods is approximately 1,400 to 2,200 euros (1,540 to 2,420 USD), with furnished units and exceptional views pushing even higher.
The main characteristic that makes these neighborhoods command the highest rents in Paris is their combination of historic architecture, proximity to cultural landmarks, excellent dining and shopping, and the prestigious addresses that corporate relocation packages often specify.
The typical tenant profile renting in these highest-rent Paris neighborhoods includes senior executives on corporate housing allowances, diplomats and embassy staff, wealthy international students, and affluent retirees seeking turnkey pied-a-terre arrangements.
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.
What do tenants actually want in Paris in 2026?
What features increase rent the most in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three property features that increase monthly rent the most specifically in Paris are: an elevator (or a low floor in a walk-up building), private outdoor space like a balcony or terrace (extremely scarce in the dense historic housing stock), and quiet orientation facing a courtyard rather than a busy street.
The estimated rent premium that the single most valuable feature adds in Paris is approximately 10% to 15% for a usable balcony or terrace, because outdoor space is genuinely rare in the city's predominantly Haussmann-era apartment buildings.
One commonly overrated feature that Paris landlords invest in but tenants do not pay much extra for is high-end kitchen appliances, because many Parisian tenants eat out frequently and prioritize location and natural light over cooking equipment.
One affordable upgrade that provides a strong return on investment for Paris landlords is installing high-quality double-glazed windows, which dramatically improves both noise insulation and energy performance ratings that tenants increasingly care about.
Do furnished rentals rent faster in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, furnished apartments in Paris typically rent about one to two weeks faster than unfurnished equivalents, primarily because expats, students, and mobile professionals can move in immediately without buying furniture.
The typical rent premium that furnished apartments command over unfurnished ones in Paris is approximately 10% to 20%, though this comes with higher wear-and-tear, more frequent turnover, and the administrative requirement to register for a SIRET number with the French tax authorities.
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How regulated is long-term renting in Paris right now?
Can I freely set rent prices in Paris right now?
No, landlords in Paris cannot freely set rent prices because the "encadrement des loyers" rent control system caps the base rent at a reference ceiling specific to your exact address, building construction period, and number of rooms.
Rent increases during a tenancy in Paris are also regulated and typically limited to the annual IRL (Indice de Reference des Loyers) index published by INSEE, meaning you cannot raise rent arbitrarily even with a willing tenant.
What's the standard lease length in Paris right now?
The standard lease length for unfurnished residential rentals in Paris is three years when the landlord is an individual, while furnished rentals typically use one-year leases that are better suited to mobile tenants like expats and students.
The maximum security deposit a landlord can legally require in Paris is one month's rent excluding charges for unfurnished rentals, or up to two months' rent excluding charges for furnished rentals, as specified in the 1989 rental law.
The rules for returning the security deposit in Paris require landlords to return the deposit within one month after the tenant leaves if the exit inventory matches the entry inventory, or within two months if deductions for damages or unpaid charges are needed.
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.
How does short-term renting really work in Paris in 2026?
Is Airbnb legal in Paris right now?
Airbnb-style short-term renting is legal in Paris, but the rules are strict: if the property is your registered primary residence you can rent it short-term with registration and night limits, but if it is not your primary residence (the typical foreign investor scenario) you generally need a costly "change of use" authorization.
To operate a short-term rental in Paris, you must register the property with the city and obtain a registration number that must be displayed on all listings, with the process handled through the City of Paris website.
If the property is your primary residence, Paris limits short-term renting to 120 nights per year, while non-primary residences face much stricter constraints that effectively require converting the property's legal use classification.
The most common penalty for operating an unlicensed or non-compliant short-term rental in Paris is a fine of up to 50,000 euros per listing, and the city actively monitors platforms and pursues enforcement cases.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing whether owning an Airbnb rental is profitable in Paris.
What's the average short-term occupancy in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average annual occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Paris is approximately 64%, though this figure varies significantly by location, property quality, and pricing strategy.
The realistic occupancy rate range that most short-term rentals experience in Paris spans from about 50% for poorly optimized or oversaturated listings to around 75% to 80% for well-managed, legally compliant properties in prime locations.
The months that typically see the highest occupancy rates for short-term rentals in Paris are April through June and September through October, when tourist demand peaks around spring weather and autumn cultural events.
The months that typically see the lowest occupancy rates for short-term rentals in Paris are January through February and parts of August, when tourism slows after the holidays and many Parisians themselves leave the city.
Finally, please note that you can find much more granular data about this topic in our property pack about Paris.
What's the average nightly rate in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated average nightly rate for short-term rentals in Paris is approximately 200 to 220 euros (220 to 240 USD), reflecting a mix of property sizes and locations across the city.
A realistic nightly rate range that covers most short-term rental listings in Paris spans from about 100 euros (110 USD) for basic studios in outer arrondissements to over 400 euros (440 USD) for premium apartments in central tourist areas like the Marais or near the Eiffel Tower.
The typical nightly rate difference between peak season and off-season in Paris is approximately 30% to 50%, meaning a property charging 200 euros per night in June might only command 130 to 140 euros in January.
Is short-term rental supply saturated in Paris in 2026?
As of early 2026, the short-term rental market in Paris is highly saturated, making it one of the most competitive and heavily regulated markets in Europe for Airbnb-style rentals.
The current trend in the number of active short-term rental listings in Paris is relatively stable to slightly declining, as stricter enforcement and regulatory pressure have pushed some hosts out of the market or toward long-term renting.
The neighborhoods in Paris that are most oversaturated with short-term rentals include the 1st through 4th arrondissements (central tourist core), the 5th (Latin Quarter), the 6th (Saint-Germain), and the 7th (Eiffel Tower area), where competition is intense and margins are compressed.
The neighborhoods in Paris that still have some room for new short-term rental supply include parts of the 10th (Canal Saint-Martin), the 11th (Oberkampf), the 18th (Montmartre fringes), and the 19th (Buttes-Chaumont), where tourist interest exists but saturation is lower.
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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 Paris, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| City of Paris - Short-term rentals rules | Official City of Paris page explaining what's legal for Airbnb-style renting. | We used it to describe what's legal for short-term renting in Paris and the key compliance steps. We also used it to explain why "buy-to-Airbnb" is uniquely difficult in Paris. |
| City of Paris - Rent control explainer | Official city guidance for Paris rent caps and who they apply to. | We used it to explain when rent caps apply and what "reference rent" means. We used it to set realistic expectations on rent-setting freedom. |
| OLAP - Paris 2025 rent report | Approved local rent observatory used in official rent-control production. | We used it for typical rent levels per square meter and recent rent growth trends. We projected a January 2026 estimate from their methodology-based sample. |
| Paris Notaries - Price map | Official notary dataset based on actual transaction records, not asking prices. | We used it to anchor typical purchase prices per square meter for Paris. We used it as the denominator when estimating gross rental yields. |
| AirDNA - Paris market overview | Widely used analytics provider for Airbnb performance with consistent methodology. | We used it to estimate typical occupancy and nightly rates for short-term rentals. We used it to compare long-term versus short-term strategies on actual numbers. |
| Notaires de France - Non-resident buying guide | Official notary network central to French property transfers. | We used it to confirm foreigners can buy and to flag main legal and tax considerations. We used it to keep "foreign ownership" accurate without relying on blogs. |
| impots.gouv.fr - Non-resident rental income | French tax authority's own guidance for non-residents earning rental income. | We used it to explain what tax category unfurnished rent falls into. We used it to keep the "remote landlord" section tax-realistic. |
| ANIL - Unfurnished lease guidance | National housing information agency with standardized legal guidance. | We used it to summarize the lease framework and mandatory clauses. We used it to keep the long-term renting section simple and legally aligned. |
| Legifrance - Law of 6 July 1989, Article 22 | Official publication platform for French law. | We used it to ground security deposit rules in the primary legal text. We used it to keep "how much deposit can I ask" precise and legally accurate. |
| Ministry of Ecological Transition - 2025 tourism rental guide | National government guide summarizing the legal framework and upcoming changes. | We used it to explain the national direction of travel and tightening rules. We used it to sanity-check Paris-specific rules against the national framework. |
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.
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