Commercial Property France

1. Are there any restrictions on an overseas company or business buying commercial property?	No
2. Is land/property generally ‘registered’ so that the title/ownership is guaranteed?	Yes. At the ‘Conservation des Hypothèques’.
3. What are the basic requirements/procedures?	A Public Notary must deal with commercial real estate matters (our member firms in France can provide contacts)
4. On average, how long does the process take?	Some 3 or 4 months
5. What searches are advisable?	Searches in relation to: title, environment matters, asbestos, zoning, and pre-existing mortgages
6. What are estimated disbursement costs?	Approximately 8% of the value including taxes (but varies according to several criteria)
7. What are the local and/or national tax considerations in the country of purchase?	Approximately 5% (but varies according to several criteria)
8. What other annual local charges are obligatory?	Local taxes; specific taxes for certain sizes of retail shops or offices or storage premises (particularly in the Paris region); a yearly tax of 3% of the value of the building if the purchaser is a company based in a tax heaven.
9. Are there any other issues to consider?	Pollution/Environment issues; Destination policy (i.e. ultimate use of the building); best tax regime to consider for the purchase.