How long can British second home owners stay in France?

There are an estimated 86,000 British households who own holiday homes in France. Easily accessible from the UK, with beautiful properties, better climate and a slower pace of life - it’s not difficult to see why so many Brits chose to own a French bolthole.

British citizens can buy properties in France, either for a permanent move or a holiday home. However, if you plan to stay in the property long term you need to make sure you have got the correct visa. 

How long are Britons allowed to stay in France?

Since Brexit, UK residents have been able to travel to France (and the rest of the Schengen area) for up to 90 days in any 180 day period. This handy online calculator helps you to work out your current allowance. The 90 day allowance is enough for many Brits to use their French second homes. However, If you plan to stay in France longer than this allowance, you will need to have a long-stay visa, or a carte de séjour (for Brits planning to reside in France). The French government has a visa information website here that helps you work out which type you need and the steps to apply.

Is France changing the ‘90 day rule’ for British second home owners?

Since Brexit, there have been campaigns urging the French government to allow British second home owners to stay at their properties in France for longer periods without the need of a visa. In January 2023 a proposal was put forward by the French government that stated “The long-stay visa will now be issued automatically to British citizens owning a second home in France. They are therefore exempt from having to make an application for a long-stay visa.” However, the proposal has not yet passed into law. It failed to make it through the country’s Conseil constitutionnel. The Conseil deemed that the proposal was not closely connected enough to the ideas originally presented to parliament.

The positive news is that the rejection by the Conseil constitutionnel was due to a constitutional technicality rather than the new proposal itself. Campaigners say they will push for the proposal to be raised again and in the meantime will push the government to make it as simple and hassle free as possible for British citizens to visit their second homes in France. 

Many of our clients buy a property in France to enjoy as a second home. If you’re looking for a second home or holiday home, we’d love to help. We have thousands of properties for sale across France. From cute cottages and farmhouses, to historic chateaux. Browse our property listings here.