Zero-rate loans across the country from April 1 to support home ownership

"From April 1, banks will be able to offer a zero-interest loan to first-time buyers throughout the country, regardless of area, for the purchase of new housing, whether individual or collective," details a press release from the ministry.

Regarding the purchase of a first home built more than five years ago, "the PTZ for old homes remains unchanged: households will be able to benefit from it in relaxed areas in return for an effort on energy renovation work", the ministry continues.

The two other measures put forward by the Minister of Housing Valérie Létard, included in the 2025 finance law published on Saturday in the Official Journal, also come into force: the exemption from inheritance tax for donations, up to 300.000 euros, for the purchase of a new home, and the absence of an increase in transfer taxes for consideration (known as notary fees) for first-time buyers.

In an interview with the newspaper L'Opinion, published on Monday, the minister also stated that she was about to "sign a mission letter" to launch work on rental investment and its profitability.

In particular, she hopes that this mission will look at the status of the private lessor and the corresponding taxation, described as unfavourable to rental investment in comparison with other types of investments, such as shares.

Tax reduction, depreciation and a single flat-rate levy of 30% aligned with the "flat tax" on financial investments are avenues that have been discussed and must be "scrutinized" with a view to integrating new rules into the "next 2026 budget", according to Valérie Létard.

A mission "to assess the impact of rent control on a reference territory" will also be launched by the Minister of Housing.

The aim is to have "objective elements to weigh the pros and cons" of an extension of the rent control system, the experiment of which will end in 2026.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.