Paris is one of the two most expensive cities Poyzo tracks per square metre, alongside New York. What surprises most foreign buyers is not the price itself but how much is added on top at the notary’s office, and how tightly rental income is regulated once you own. This page explains the headline figure, the buying costs, and the rules that shape what a Paris flat is worth to its owner.
What the headline figure means
Poyzo’s working figure for Paris is about €9,600 per m², a rounded average for existing apartments across the twenty arrondissements. Central and western arrondissements sit well above it and the north-east sits below it. French price statistics are based on notarial records of completed sales, so they lag the market by several months; asking prices on listing sites can run ahead of or behind them.
French property is sold by “loi Carrez” surface: the private floor area with ceilings of at least 1.80 m, excluding walls, stairs and balconies. That is smaller than the gross figures used in some other countries, which partly explains why Paris prices per m² look so high in international comparisons.
Costs on top of the price
| Item | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer duties on resale homes | About 6.3% of the price | The departmental rate in Paris rose from 4.5% to 5% in 2025; with the communal tax and state levy, duties total roughly 6.3%. |
| Total “frais de notaire” on resale | About 7.5% to 8.5% | Duties plus the notary’s regulated fee, disbursements and land registry costs. |
| Total on new builds (VEFA) | About 2% to 3% | Transfer duties are replaced by a much lower land registration tax, but VAT is included in the price. |
| Agent fees | Often 3% to 5% | Usually built into the advertised price; check whether a listing is “FAI” (fees included). |
Rules that affect owners
- No restrictions on foreign buyers. Non-residents can buy on the same terms as French residents.
- Mortgage lending limits. French banks follow a rule that caps total debt repayments at 35% of the borrower’s income and limits most loan terms to 25 years, which constrains how much a buyer can borrow.
- Energy rating. Homes rated G on the energy performance certificate (DPE) can no longer be let on new leases since 2025, and F-rated homes are scheduled to follow. Many older Paris flats have poor ratings, so check the DPE before assuming a flat can be rented out.
- Rent control. Paris applies rent caps by district and building type, so achievable rent may be lower than a simple yield calculation suggests.
- Short-term letting. A main residence can be let short-term for a limited number of nights per year; second homes need a change-of-use authorisation that is hard to obtain.
Running costs after you buy
- Taxe foncière is the annual property tax paid by the owner.
- Taxe d’habitation no longer applies to main residences but still applies to second homes, and Paris adds a surcharge on second homes.
- Co-ownership charges (charges de copropriété) cover the building’s upkeep and are higher in buildings with a caretaker, a lift or collective heating.
Worked example: what €400,000 buys
At €9,600 per m², €400,000 corresponds to roughly 42 m² at the city average: a one-bedroom or a large studio. On a resale purchase, budget around €30,000 to €34,000 for notary fees and duties on top of the price. A buyer who borrows must also fit within the 35% debt-to-income rule, which in Paris often limits the budget more than the price does.
Sources: Notaires du Grand Paris price statistics, Ville de Paris (transfer duty rate), service-public.fr (frais de notaire, DPE rental rules, taxe d’habitation), Haut Conseil de stabilité financière lending standard. Figures checked October 2026.
Related on Poyzo
- Car prices and running costs in Paris
- What €200,000 buys across Europe
- Mortgage access for non-residents
- The costs of buying property abroad that are not the price
- Gross yield vs net yield: what eats the difference
- Compare your budget across all eight cities
Information only. This page explains how buying costs and rules are structured. It is not financial, tax, legal or immigration advice and it is not a recommendation to buy any property. Rates and rules change; confirm anything that affects a decision with the relevant authority or a qualified local professional.
Last updated: October 14, 2026