Strategy meeting
Country of residence, savings, goal: we look at whether a building makes sense now, or whether a first apartment prepares what follows better.
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APARTMENT BUILDING
Investing in an
apartment building from abroad
An apartment building is an entire building bought in one go, with each unit let. You collect several rents with a single loan, and an empty unit does not cut off all your income.
1,000+ expats and non-residents
supported since 2017
4.8 on Trustpilot
276 client reviews
What they say about us
WHAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK TODAY
Buying a building:
the 4 obstacles for expats
A building is run like a small business. Here are the four points that give our members pause.
Example dealLilleCosted simulation on the city pageOur deals inAmiensLatest yield 7.8%Property type 2-bedroom houseOur deals inRouenLatest yield 8% grossProperty type Split into 2 student studiosOur deals inThionvilleLatest yield 12% grossProperty type House shareOur deals inDeauvilleLatest yield 7.6% netProperty type Duplex as a seasonal rentalOur deals inReimsLatest yield 11.7% grossProperty type Short-term rental apartment, renovated duplexExample dealCaenCosted simulation on the city pageOur deals inMontigny-lès-MetzLatest yield 9.7% grossProperty type Furnished T1 bisOur deals inLa Garenne-ColombesLatest yield 12 à 13 %Property type Short-term rental studiosExample dealSerrisCosted simulation on the city pageExample dealNancyCosted simulation on the city pageOur deals inSaint-MaloLatest yield 17% grossProperty type Short-term rental studioExample dealStrasbourgCosted simulation on the city pageExample dealBrestCosted simulation on the city pageExample dealRennesCosted simulation on the city pageExample dealLe MansCosted simulation on the city pageExample dealOrléansCosted simulation on the city pageExample dealMulhouseCosted simulation on the city pageExample dealAngersCosted simulation on the city pageExample dealToursCosted simulation on the city pageExample dealDijonCosted simulation on the city pageOur deals inNantesLatest yield 11%Property type House share, student studioExample dealPoitiersCosted simulation on the city pageOur deals inThonon-les-BainsLatest yield 8 to 9 %Property type Split into 2 homesOur deals inAnnecyLatest yield 10.1% grossProperty type Reconfigured studioExample dealLimogesCosted simulation on the city pageExample dealClermont-FerrandCosted simulation on the city pageOur deals inLyonLatest yield 10 %Property type Furnished studioOur deals inBourgoin-JallieuLatest yield 10% grossProperty type House shareOur deals inChambéryLatest yield 9% netProperty type Long-term rental studiosExample dealVienneCosted simulation on the city pageOur deals inSaint-ÉtienneLatest yield 8.1% grossProperty type Student one-bedroom flatExample dealGrenobleCosted simulation on the city pageExample dealBordeauxCosted simulation on the city pageExample dealRodezCosted simulation on the city pageOur deals inGaillacLatest yield 7.5% grossProperty type Apartment buildingOur deals inManosqueLatest yield 7 to 8% grossProperty type Commercial unit converted into a homeOur deals inMandelieu-la-NapouleLatest yield 8% netProperty type Short-term rental studioOur deals inMontpellierLatest yield 8 %Property type House shareOur deals inAntibesLatest yield 8.4%Property type Furnished 2-room flatOur deals inToulouseLatest yield 8.3%Property type House share, student studioOur deals inCannesLatest yield 21% grossProperty type Short-term rental studioExample dealMarseilleCosted simulation on the city pageOur deals inToulonLatest yield 15 to 20 %Property type Seasonal rental studioOur deals inPerpignanLatest yield 10% grossProperty type House share, T3 turned into a T4Our deals inLa RéunionLatest yield 12 %Property type Apartment buildingOur deals inMartiniqueLatest yield 16% grossProperty type Split into 4 homes
Renovation works
A roof and a facade at your expense
These are the most expensive works, and they are yours alone. Ask their age and get a quote before the offer.
See the points to check →Management
Someone to find on the ground
A relative, tradesperson or manager: a building cannot be run alone from a distance, and the local contact is chosen before the purchase.
See the steps →Financing
A bigger ticket
The bank looks closely at the works and the rents. A prudent rent roll and several banks in parallel make the difference.
See the financing →Structure
Own name or SCI : a choice to make early
How you hold the property is decided before signing: it affects tax, the loan and succession.
See the tax treatment →1,000+ expats and non-residents in more than 70 countries have already benefited from our method
Making the right choice
Apartment building or apartment ?
For a first purchase, the apartment remains simpler. The building is justified when the combined rents clearly pay for the extra work.
Apartmentsimpler for a first purchase
Buildingseveral rents with a single loan
- If a unit becomes emptyApartment: no rent at all. Building: the other rents continue.
- Roof and facadeApartment: co-ownership votes and charges. Building: everything is on you, you decide alone.
- ResaleApartment: one at a time, simple. Building: as a whole, or by lots after division, with more paperwork.
- Remote managementApartment: a single tenant. Building: several leases, a local contact is essential.
Your project, our method
How buy a building from abroad?
Financing comes before the search, as on any project. You stay in control, the team supports you at every step.
Bank application
Rent roll unit by unit, quotes, yield, way of holding the property: the team reviews the file before it goes to a banker.
See the financing →Analysis of the building
You search, you cost each unit and a relative or a tradesperson does the viewings. Your coach reviews the figures before the offer.
See the property search →
Works and letting
You follow the works remotely, you let unit by unit and you entrust follow-up to a local contact.
See remote renovation works →Why trust us?
They invest from abroad
Since 2017, we have supported expats and non-residents from A to Z, wherever they live in the world.
+1 000expats supported
+70countries of residence
4,8 / 5on Trustpilot, 276 reviews
+130 M€of projects supported
Three purchases of multiple units
Shakir’s project
1 / 3
Our guides on the subject
All the articles →
Property investment in France for expats: the complete 2026 guideAn expat who wants to invest in France? Financing, taxation, remote management: the complete guide by specialists. 1,000+ clients supported.
1 September 2026Read the article →
Mortgage for non-residents in France: the complete 2026 guideDown payment, banks, application, borrower insurance: everything you need to know to get a mortgage in France as a non-resident.
2 September 2026Read the article →
Tax on a non-resident’s rental income: rates, calculation and optimisation in 2026Non-resident: how is your rental income in France taxed? 20% minimum rate, social contributions, actual-regime calculation and worked examples. 2026 guide.
3 October 2026Read the article →Video testimonial
A building near Toulouse
It’s an apartment building with four units one of which needs a complete renovation that I’ll turn into a duplex, and there are also three garages.
JJean-Rémilives in the United StatesSee →Video testimonialA 25-year loan
I got a 25-year loan, which was a bit of a big surprise, because at first I was leaning more towards 20.
JJean-Rémilives in the United StatesSee →Video testimonialTwo flats split into four
C’est deux appartements, et le projet en fait c’est une division de ces deux appartements pour quatre appartements au total.
JJean-Baptistelives in the United KingdomSee →Video testimonialA former medical practice to divide
Je vais le diviser. J’ai déjà l’accord de la copropriété pour le changement de destination.
OOlivialives in ThailandSee →
Lives in Dubai
Lives in the United Kingdom
Lives in Spain
Lives in the Netherlands
Lives in Belgium
Lives in Luxembourg
Lives in Singapore
▶See the testimonial
Lives in the United StatesGaillac
Building with 4 units and 3 garages in the very centre
See their project →
▶See the testimonial
Lives in Thailand
▶See the testimonial
▶See the testimonial
Lives in SwitzerlandSaint-Étienne
Two properties, including a 3-bedroom house share
See their project →
▶See the testimonial
Lives in Denmark
▶See the testimonial
▶See the testimonial
▶See the testimonial
Lives in CanadaNantes
32 m² studio in the very centre, without a permanent contract
See their project →
▶See the testimonial
▶See the testimonialOur investment calculators
How much can you invest ?
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Before the offer
What to check before buying a building?
A building is judged on the condition of what is shared by all the units. Have these points checked by a tradesperson or an architect if you cannot come.
Roof and facade
These are the most expensive works, and they are yours alone. Ask their age and get a quote before the offer.
Energy performance
In mainland France, a G-rated property can no longer be the subject of a new lease, renewal or tacit extension since 2025. F will follow in 2028, then E in 2034. The overseas territories have their own timetable.
Utilities and meters
Electricity, plumbing, heating: check the condition and whether each unit has its own meters.
Leases in place
A tenant stays in place after the sale, at their rent. Read each lease: Jean-Rémi took over a tenant paying below the market rent.
Division and use
Creating a unit may require planning permission, sometimes a permit to divide. A division cannot create a unit of less than 14 m² and 33 m³.
Local rules
Rental licence, rent controls, short-term rental: check with the town hall or the inter-municipal authority, city by city.
A conversation to move your project forward
Launch your investment from abroad
A 45-minute conversation to answer your questions, assess your situation, and see how we can support you.
No commitment
100% personalised
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
We answer your questions
Answers to the questions we are asked most often about apartment buildings when you live abroad.
What is an apartment building (immeuble de rapport)?
It is an entire building, bought in one go by a single owner, whose homes are let to produce income. It may also include shops or garages, like those of Shakir and Jean-Rémi.
What budget do you need for an apartment building?
Among our two members, the total project ranges from €400,000 in Gaillac to about €527,000 in La Réunion, renovation works and fees included. The price depends mainly on the city, the condition of the building and the number of units.
Can you buy a building without viewing it?
We advise against it without a professional looking on the spot. A relative or a tradesperson can view for you, provided they check the roof, the utilities and the structure. Jean-Rémi met his banks during a trip back to France and relies on a cousin in the area.
Is a building harder to finance for a non-resident?
The ticket is higher and the bank looks closely at the renovation works and the rents. Shakir struggled before obtaining his loan, Jean-Rémi got 25 years when he was aiming for 20. A cautious rent roll and several banks in parallel make the difference.
Should you buy in your own name or through an SCI?
There is no single answer: it depends on your country of residence, your partners, succession and the loan. Jean-Baptiste bought through an SCI, with a slightly higher rate. Take stock before signing the preliminary agreement.
Who manages the building when you live abroad?
A local manager, or a trusted relative. Jean-Rémi entrusted management to a cousin in the area. Allow for this cost in your calculation from the start, along with the building insurance.
Does ImmoPourExpat buy the building for me?
No: you are the one who buys. The team suggests properties, you present your application, and we give you the method, your coach’s review, the templates and the community’s help.
How is a building’s rental income taxed?
Rents from a property located in France are taxable there, whatever your country of residence. A non-resident in principle pays at least 20% income tax up to €29,579 (2025 income), then 30% above, unless they can show a lower worldwide average rate. Social contributions are added. Above €15,000 of unfurnished rents a year, micro-foncier no longer applies. A building almost always ends up under the actual regime: keep your costs and works up to date. This choice is made before signing: it affects tax, the loan and succession. Also check what your country of residence does with French rents.
Investing from abroad has never been so simple
ImmoPourExpat supports expats and non-residents from A to Z who want to invest in property in France: financing, property search, renovation works, taxation and remote management.
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