🇫🇷 Getting a Mortgage in France: Why French Banks Ask for So Many Documents

Christine Bacoup-Tidas
Jul 7
3 min read

Updated: Oct 20

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If you’re an American buying property in Paris, you may be surprised, even frustrated, by the volume and nature of the documents French banks request when you apply for a mortgage.

Why do they want to see your credit card statements, or details about your trust fund? Shouldn’t your credit score and income be enough?

Welcome to French lending laws and the deeply protective philosophy behind them.

🇫🇷 French Consumer Law: Built for Protection, Not Speed

French law is famously protective of consumers, especially when it comes to personal finance and real estate lending. One of its core principles is preventing over-indebtedness (le surendettement).

In the U.S., a borrower who takes on too much debt typically bears the full burden of that decision. In France, the bank shares that responsibility.

French banks can even be sued by the borrower - yes, you read that right - if they are found to have granted a loan that led to over-indebtedness. They can also face fines from regulators for not conducting adequate due diligence before extending credit.

As a result, mortgage applications in France involve meticulous scrutiny. Lenders look not only at your income and liabilities, but also your recurring obligations, even informal ones that never appear on a standard U.S. credit report.r on a standard credit report.

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🇫🇷 “Why Are They Asking for That?”

Many American buyers in Paris are surprised when asked for documents such as:

Proof of child support or alimony payments (even informal arrangements)
Bank statements for the past three months or more — including non-French accounts
Rental contracts or home utility bills
Information about financial assistance to family members

This isn’t bureaucracy for its own sake. The French banking system is designed to ensure that your new loan won’t stretch your finances too far. France doesn’t use a centralized credit scoring system like FICO; instead, banks rely on a detailed, manual assessment of your financial health.

🇫🇷 Current French Mortgage Rules (2025)

Under current regulations:

Total monthly debt repayments (including the new mortgage) must not exceed 35% of your net income
The maximum mortgage term is 25 years, with limited exceptions
Banks can approve only a small percentage of loans that fall outside these limits — typically around 20%, mainly for primary residences

These measures make French mortgages some of the most secure and stable in Europe.

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🥐 Real-World Example: Sarah’s Paris Apartment

Let’s say Sarah, an American expat, wants to buy a €1.2M apartment in the Latin Quarter. She earns $180,000/year as a tech consultant and has excellent U.S. credit.

She applies for a €600,000 mortgage, but the bank sees she sends $1,000/month to support her mother and still pays rent on a U.S. apartment.

Those obligations don’t appear on her credit report, but they matter under French law. If she hides them and later struggles with payments, the bank could be held liable. That’s why they ask for full bank statements, not just your credit score.

🇫🇷 Why Do Banks Ask for Different Things?

Another frequent point of confusion: why your friend’s bank didn’t ask for the same paperwork.

Each French bank follows its own procedures, and even within the same institution, loan officers differ. Some request more documents upfront; others wait until later in the process.

Different underwriters may review your file at different stages, so if requirements shift, it doesn’t mean something is wrong. It simply reflects how French mortgage approvals evolve.

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🥐 My Advice: Patience Pays Off

If you’re used to U.S. mortgage processes, the French approach may feel slow or excessive. But in reality, this system protects you as much as it protects the bank.

French home loans are typically low-risk, low-rate, and long-term, offering exceptional stability.

So, when your banker asks for “just one more document,” remember: it’s not personal, it’s legal, cultural, and ultimately to your benefit.

🇫🇷 Final Word

Buying property in Paris as an American involves adapting to a different financial culture, one rooted in caution and consumer protection. With the right guidance, patience, and a trusted Paris buyer’s agent, the process can be smooth and rewarding.