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Buying Property in France
From Dordogne farmhouses to Paris apartments, a French purchase turns on the notaire completion date, and the GBP/EUR rate that day fixes your true cost in Pounds. Lock it in early with a forward contract.
France is a perennial destination for UK buyers seeking holiday homes, permanent relocations, and investment property. Notaire fees, stamp duty, and renovation budgets add up, and every Euro payment is exposed to GBP/EUR moves between offer and completion.
Aetas Global provides institutional GBP/EUR rates, forward contracts aligned to the notaire schedule, and a specialist who understands French property conveyancing and the timing of staged payments.
The Process
You sign the preliminary sales agreement and pay a 5–10% deposit. Lock a forward contract now to fix the rate for the balance at completion.
The balance is transferred at the acte de vente signing. With a forward, your Sterling cost is already fixed, no surprises from rate moves.
French mortgage payments, utility bills, and taxe foncière are due in Euros. A recurring transfer covers them at a consistent rate.
Costs & Legal
Notaire fees and stamp duty (frais de notaire) add 7–8% on existing properties and 2–3% on new builds. Each is paid in Euros on a fixed notaire timeline.
French buyers get a 10-day legal cooling-off period after signing the compromis. Use it to arrange your forward contract before the balance falls due.
Some compromis include a currency clause that lets you withdraw without penalty if the rate moves beyond a set threshold. Read it carefully with your solicitor.
Currency Timing
A French purchase typically takes 2–3 months from compromis to acte de vente. In that window GBP/EUR can move enough to change your Sterling cost by thousands. A forward contract neutralises that risk.
For renovation projects with staged builder payments, forward contracts secure each tranche at a known rate, protecting your total renovation budget.
After Completion
A French mortgage or ongoing costs, taxe foncière, utilities, insurance, are paid in Euros. A monthly recurring transfer at a pre-agreed rate makes budgeting predictable.
If you later sell the property, the proceeds can be repatriated to GBP at the same institutional rates, preserving more of your investment's value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use a specialist currency provider. Aetas Global gives you institutional GBP/EUR rates up to 4% better than retail banks, with no hidden fees and a forward contract aligned to your notaire completion.
The Difference
Feature
Aetas Global
Institutional FX
Retail Bank
High-street transfer
GBP/EUR Rate Margin
Completion Rate-Lock
Transfer Fees
Dedicated Specialist
Settlement Speed
GBP/EUR Rate Margin
Aetas Global
Your Bank
Completion Rate-Lock
Aetas Global
Your Bank
Transfer Fees
Aetas Global
Your Bank
Dedicated Specialist
Aetas Global
Your Bank
Settlement Speed
Aetas Global
Your Bank
Comparison based on typical high-street bank retail FX pricing vs. Aetas Global institutional rates. Actual savings vary by currency pair and transfer amount.
Get Started
Tell us about your France property purchase and a dedicated specialist will be in touch. No obligation, no hidden fees, just institutional GBP/EUR rates and expert timing guidance.
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