Buying Guide
Currency for Buying Property in France: The 2026 Guide
How to move large sums efficiently, lock your rate, and avoid losing the price of a renovation to the spread.
In This Guide
Currency for Buying Property in France: The 2026 Guide
Why does currency matter when buying in France?
Quick answer: A French property is priced in euros, but if your money is in pounds or dollars you must convert a large sum at a single moment. On a seven-figure purchase, the difference between a good and a poor exchange rate can exceed the entire notaire-fee bill—so currency is a real cost line, not an afterthought.
Two things drive the cost: the exchange rate on the day, and the spread (the margin added to the mid-market rate). Both compound at scale. Moving £1.3M for a €1.5M villa means even a half-percent worse rate costs around £6,500—real money, easily reduced with planning. Buyers also face two transfers: the deposit at the compromis, and the balance plus fees at completion, often months apart and at different rates.
General guidance, not financial advice
This explains how currency transfer works for property buyers; it is not financial or investment advice and exchange rates are unpredictable. Use a regulated provider and consider professional advice for large transfers. Verified 29 June 2026.
Bank or currency specialist — which is cheaper?
Quick answer: A currency specialist or fintech almost always beats a high-street bank on a large property transfer. Banks typically add a wider spread and fixed fees; specialists quote tighter rates and waive transfer fees—often saving 1–3% of the sum on a big conversion.
Illustratively, on a €1.5M purchase a 2% difference in effective rate is about £25,000. A regulated FX specialist (the kind used routinely for property) generally offers: a tighter spread, no per-transfer fee, a named dealer for large sums, and tools like rate alerts and forwards (below). Banks are convenient but rarely competitive on six- and seven-figure conversions. Always compare the all-in rate, not the headline, and confirm the provider is regulated where you are.
Can I lock my exchange rate with a forward contract?
Quick answer: Yes. A forward contract lets you fix today’s rate for a transfer up to (typically) 12 months ahead, usually for a small deposit. It removes the risk that the euro strengthens between the compromis and completion—turning an uncertain cost into a known one.
This is the single most useful tool for property buyers, because the gap between signing and completion (two to three months, sometimes more for off-plan) is exactly when the rate can move against you. A forward lets you agree the villa price in pounds or dollars now and pay the balance later at the locked rate. The trade-off: you forgo any favourable move, and a deposit is held. For most buyers, certainty on a life-changing purchase outweighs speculating on the market.
How should I plan the transfers in practice?
Quick answer: Open a regulated FX account early, budget two transfers (deposit and balance-plus-fees), consider a forward to lock the rate once your offer is accepted, and send funds to the notaire’s account in good time before completion—late euros can delay signing.
A workable sequence: (1) set up and verify the FX account before you offer, so you can act fast; (2) on acceptance, decide whether to fix the rate with a forward for the full euro amount including the ~7% notaire fees—see our notaire fees guide; (3) send the deposit for the compromis; (4) transfer the balance to the notaire several working days before completion. If you are also borrowing, coordinate with the lender—see our non-resident mortgage guide—since only your equity and fees need converting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
On a seven-figure purchase, the spread alone can run 1–3% of the sum if you use a bank—often more than the notaire fees. A regulated currency specialist and a forward contract can cut this materially.
An agreement to exchange currency at a fixed rate on a future date, usually within 12 months, for a small deposit. It locks your euro cost so a falling pound or dollar between signing and completion does not raise your price.
Usually a regulated currency specialist is cheaper and offers forwards and a dealer for large sums. Banks are convenient but rarely competitive on big conversions. Compare the all-in rate, not the advertised one.
It can. Borrowing in euros means only your deposit and fees need converting, and repayments are in euros—useful if you have euro income or want to limit exposure. Weigh it against the mortgage rate; see our non-resident mortgage guide.
Several working days before completion, so cleared euros are in the notaire’s account on signing day. Late international transfers are a common cause of delayed completions—plan the timing with your provider.
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