Money, tax and the law
The French property wealth tax, for non-residents.
Buying a château or several homes in France? Above a certain value, a yearly wealth tax on property applies. Here is how it works in 2026.
Contents
The impôt sur la fortune immobilière, or IFI, replaced the old wealth tax in 2018. It only concerns property. For people living abroad, it only counts their property located in France.
The threshold and the rates
The IFI applies when the net taxable value of your property assets exceeds 1.3 million euros on 1 January. The rates are progressive, from 0.5% to 1.5%, with a reduction for values just above the threshold.
What counts for a non-resident
A non-resident is taxed only on property located in France, held directly or through companies, minus the debts that can be deducted under the rules. Tax treaties may change the picture for some countries: a French tax adviser will check yours.
What the 2026 finance law changed
During the debates on the 2026 budget, the National Assembly voted to turn the IFI into a tax on « unproductive wealth », and the Senate proposed another version. Neither was kept: the final law, adopted in February 2026, left the IFI unchanged, with the same threshold and rates (summary of the 2026 finance law).
Declaring
The IFI is declared once a year, with the income tax return, on a specific form. A wealth tax adviser or a notaire can help value the properties.
Before buying a large property
For a château or an estate, the IFI is one more yearly cost to add to the property tax, the insurance and the upkeep. I help my buyers gather these figures before the offer, so the decision is taken with the whole budget. Buying a château in Burgundy. I work in English and French every day. I also speak Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi fluently, Persian (Farsi) very well, and good Greek and Arabic.
Frequently asked questions
What is the IFI threshold in 2026?
1.3 million euros of net taxable property assets on 1 January, unchanged by the 2026 finance law.
Do non-residents pay the IFI?
Yes, on their property located in France, if its net value exceeds the threshold, subject to tax treaties.
What are the IFI rates?
Progressive, from 0.5% to 1.5%.
Did the 2026 budget replace the IFI?
No. The proposals debated in late 2025 were not kept in the final law.