Many of my clients arrive in Paris with no knowledge of the different rental contracts available in France. At first, it sounds simple: you just need an apartment. But very quickly, things get complicated, because the type of lease depends entirely on the tenant’s situation.
And when my clients are not yet French tax residents, things become even harder. Their applications are often rejected, even with excellent incomes. Competing with local candidates, they are rarely the landlord’s first choice. In these cases, the only way forward is often to use a Civil Code lease, which offers more flexibility.
The main lease types in France
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Unfurnished lease – ALUR law
Duration: 3 years, renewable. Very protective for tenants, perfect for families or long-term plans. But the tenant must furnish the apartment completely, even down to the light fixtures. -
Furnished lease (standard)
Duration: 1 year, renewable. Very common in Paris. Convenient for expats who prefer moving into an already equipped apartment. -
Mobility lease – Bail mobilité
Duration: 1 to 10 months, non-renewable. For students, interns, or temporary assignments. Flexible, but often more expensive and harder to visit in advance. -
Civil Code lease – Bail Code Civil
Flexible duration, negotiated directly between landlord and tenant. Often used for secondary residences or for “atypical profiles” such as non-French tax residents. Sometimes it’s the only realistic solution, but it depends heavily on the landlord’s willingness.
A concrete example
I recently worked with several clients arriving in Paris without French tax history. Despite being financially solid, their applications were systematically rejected. The only workable option was to sign a Civil Code lease for a secondary residence. Thanks to the responsiveness of a partner agent, we managed to secure an apartment in record time.
This is exactly where my role as a relocation consultant makes the difference: identifying the right lease, focusing only on listings that are a match, and saving clients weeks of wasted effort.
Conclusion
Renting in Paris can feel like navigating a maze of contracts and conditions. And every situation requires a different path.
At MyParisTouch, I act as the compass that guides expats out of the labyrinth and straight into their new home.