Money, tax and inheritance · French law
French PTZ loan: 7 checks before preparing an application
Informational guide. An independent qualified legal review has not been completed.
The French zero-interest PTZ loan finances part of a main-home project subject to conditions. Rules differ by property, location, resources and occupants' circumstances. Prepare those facts before reading a cap or financing share. A bank still grants the loan: a document check is neither a financing offer nor approval of creditworthiness.
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Does the PTZ always finance the entire price?
No. PTZ contributes according to applicable proportions and conditions. It should not be described as automatically financing the whole price.
Read the references3 free questions at signup. Avoid names and sensitive information.
What you leave withA criteria and evidence pack retaining unknowns without showing a guaranteed loan amount.
Start with the practical sectionWhich seven checks come before the PTZ amount?
This ranking follows criteria that can change the PTZ branch, before records and financing. It does not rank banks or predict approval. Do not calculate an amount before identifying the project and its conditions.
Housing type
New and existing property have distinct requirements, including works.
Use and occupation
Check main-residence and occupation conditions.
Location
Find the zone and operation branch.
Previous ownership
Examine the condition and exceptions rather than assuming refusal.
Household
Identify the intended occupants.
Income reference
Collect relevant notices and tax-income year.
Bank financing
Connect complementary loans, project and affordability review.
References : Code de la construction et de l’habitation L31-10-3 · Code de la construction et de l’habitation L31-10-4 · Code de la construction et de l’habitation D31-10-4 · Prêt à taux zéro (PTZ)
Which property and use are planned?
Specify new housing, existing housing with works or another officially covered operation. Read the official branch for the project and loan date. New-property requirements cannot simply be applied to existing housing because both will be a main residence.
References : Code de la construction et de l’habitation L31-10-3 · Code de la construction et de l’habitation D31-10-4 · Prêt à taux zéro (PTZ)
Which resources and occupants count?
Resources concern relevant occupants under the applicable framework. N−2 implies 2024 income for a 2026 request, generally on a 2025 tax notice: this applies the calendar rather than treating a 2025 example as the current request year. Also check other income rules, including the operation-cost relationship where relevant.
References : Code de la construction et de l’habitation L31-10-4 · Code de la construction et de l’habitation D31-10-4 · Prêt à taux zéro (PTZ)
How do you prepare evidence before meeting the bank?
The builder flags missing evidence for new or existing property. It calculates neither a loan nor entitlement. Keep unknowns explicit and take fiscal records, operation details and the relevant occupation or ownership position to the bank meeting.
| Point | Evidence | Unknown to retain |
|---|---|---|
| Resources | Relevant occupants’ tax notices | Year and scope unverified |
| Project | Location, price and description | Branch and zone unconfirmed |
| Existing property | Works and cost records | Works condition to examine |
| Ownership | Position and possible exception | Classification to confirm |
References : Code de la construction et de l’habitation L31-10-3 · Code de la construction et de l’habitation L31-10-4 · Code de la construction et de l’habitation D31-10-4 · Prêt à taux zéro (PTZ)
What does a project with incomplete information show?
The fictional project has a known location but missing tax notices. The sheet requests income and reference-year evidence; it does not turn new housing into an approved PTZ. Prior ownership and occupation records still need reconciliation.
Fictional example: a couple considers a new home with a known location but missing tax assessments. The organiser shows missing documents and the official branch, without declaring a PTZ entitlement.
References : Code de la construction et de l’habitation L31-10-3 · Code de la construction et de l’habitation L31-10-4 · Prêt à taux zéro (PTZ)
Which decisions remain with the bank?
The bank examines the file, affordability and financing conditions. Completing a checklist does not oblige it to lend. PTZ supplements financing within its framework without guaranteeing the whole price or every charge.
References : Prêt à taux zéro (PTZ)
What else should you check?
Does the PTZ always finance the entire price?
No. PTZ contributes according to applicable proportions and conditions. It should not be described as automatically financing the whole price.
Do new and existing properties use identical rules?
No. New, existing and special operations have different branches and requirements, including works and location.
Must reference tax income come from the application year?
The relevant reference includes N−2, not simply current-year income. Have the notices and persons counted verified.
Is buying a first main home the only possible eligible case?
Exceptions to prior-ownership requirements exist in specified cases. Do not conclude refusal merely from previous ownership.
Must a bank grant a PTZ after a checklist?
No. Bank review and financing conditions are separate from preparing documents.
Which sources support this page?
Official texts remain in French. The explanations above describe French law. A source check records a reading date; it is not qualified legal review.
- Code de la construction et de l’habitation L31-10-3Source checked : · Version from 2024-04-01
- Code de la construction et de l’habitation L31-10-4Source checked : · Version from 2016-01-01
- Code de la construction et de l’habitation D31-10-4Source checked : · Version from 2019-09-01
- Prêt à taux zéro (PTZ)Source checked :