First-Time Buyer Assistance Programs in Paris in 2026

First-time buyers in Paris in 2026 can access several public assistance programmes to finance their first property purchase. The PTZ (Pret a Taux Zero, or Zero-Interest Loan), the Pret Paris Logement and the Action Logement loan together represent additional financing of 50,000 to 180,000 euros depending on the buyer’s profile and project. These programmes are stackable and significantly reduce the total cost of credit.

Introduction

Buying a first apartment in Paris is a financial challenge. With an average price per sqm of 9,800 euros in 2026, a one-bedroom apartment of 45 sqm in the 11th arrondissement costs approximately 440,000 euros. For a household with average income, personal savings and standard bank loans are not always sufficient.

First-time buyer aid programmes are designed to bridge this gap. Yet they remain underused: fewer than 40% of Parisian first-time buyers take advantage of all the programmes they are eligible for. This guide details the assistance available in 2026, eligibility conditions and strategies for combining them effectively.

Table of Contents

• The PTZ in 2026: Conditions and Amounts
• The Pret Paris Logement (PPL)
• The Action Logement Loan
• Other Available Assistance
• Stacking Strategy: Maximising Aid
• Property Hunter Support for First-Time Buyers

The PTZ in 2026

The Pret a Taux Zero is the flagship programme for homeownership assistance. Since the expansion voted at the end of 2024 and renewed in 2025-2026, the PTZ is available in all geographic zones, for both new and existing properties.

Paris is classified as zone A bis, the most strained zone. The PTZ-eligible transaction cap is 150,000 euros for a single person and 210,000 euros for a household of 3 or more. The financed portion depends on the income tier: 50% for tier 1 (lowest incomes), 40% for tier 2, 20% for tier 3.

Income caps in zone A bis are defined by the tax reference income from two years prior. For a couple without children, the cap is around 51,800 euros annually (tier 1). For a couple with two children, approximately 82,800 euros (tier 1). Beyond that, tiers 2 and 3 provide PTZ access with a reduced portion.

The repayment period ranges from 20 to 25 years, with a deferral period of 5 to 15 years depending on income. In practice, you do not begin repaying the PTZ until 5 to 15 years later, which considerably lightens your monthly payments during the initial years.

For existing properties, the PTZ requires the property to meet an energy performance standard after renovation. Since 2025, the DPE (energy performance certificate) must reach at least a D rating after renovation. Renovation work must represent at least 25% of the transaction amount.

The Pret Paris Logement

The Pret Paris Logement (PPL) is a specific aid granted by the City of Paris to first-time buyers purchasing a property in the capital.

The amount varies by household composition: 24,200 euros for a single person or couple without children, 39,600 euros for a household with one or more children. The loan is interest-free, repayable over a maximum of 15 years.

Eligibility conditions combine an income cap (aligned with the PLUS+ thresholds), the purchase of a primary residence in Paris, and first-time buyer status (not having owned your primary residence in the previous 2 years).

The PPL is stackable with the PTZ, which is one of the main advantages of the programme. A couple with one child can thus combine up to 130,000 euros in interest-free loans (90,000 euros PTZ tier 2 + 39,600 euros PPL), a sum that significantly changes the equation for purchasing in the most affordable arrondissements.

The PPL application is made directly to the City of Paris, in parallel with the bank loan application. Processing times are 4 to 6 weeks, a factor to anticipate in the acquisition timeline.

The Action Logement Loan

The Action Logement loan (formerly 1% logement) is available to employees of private companies with 10 or more employees. It finances the purchase of a new or existing property as a primary residence.

The maximum amount is 30,000 euros (40,000 euros in certain strained zones), at a rate of 1% excluding insurance, repayable over a maximum of 25 years. In 2026, this 1% rate is well below the market rate of 3.2%, representing a real financial advantage.

Conditions mainly relate to private sector employee status and compliance with resource thresholds (close to PLS thresholds). The property must have a minimum DPE rating of E.

The Action Logement loan is also stackable with the PTZ and the PPL. A Parisian first-time buyer employee can thus access up to 170,000 euros in subsidised loans, reducing their reliance on standard bank credit at market rates.

Other Available Assistance

The property tax exemption is granted for 2 years for the purchase of a new property. For an apartment in the 13th arrondissement, this represents savings of 1,500 to 3,000 euros over two years.

The social access loan (PAS) allows financing up to 100% of the transaction at a capped rate, with reduced notary fees. It is intended for modest-income households and provides access to housing assistance (APL) in certain cases.

Supplementary pension fund assistance (AGIRC-ARRCO) offers preferential-rate loans of 10,000 to 20,000 euros for contributing employees. These programmes are often unknown but easily accessible.

Some employers offer additional home-buying assistance: salary advances, employer loans or relocation bonuses. Check with your HR department.

Stacking Strategy

The art of financial structuring for a Parisian first-time buyer consists of layering the programmes in the right order and on the right timeline.

Let’s take a concrete example. A couple aged 32 and 34, two children, combined income of 75,000 euros annually, wants to buy a three-bedroom apartment of 60 sqm at 550,000 euros in the 20th arrondissement. Their personal savings amount to 80,000 euros.

The PTZ (tier 2, zone A bis) grants them approximately 84,000 euros at zero interest over 25 years with a 10-year deferral. The Pret Paris Logement adds 39,600 euros at zero interest over 15 years. The Action Logement loan provides 30,000 euros at 1% over 20 years. The main bank loan completes the financing at 316,400 euros at a rate of 3.2% over 20 years.

The result: thanks to stacking the aid programmes, monthly payments are reduced by 22% compared to 100% bank financing. Total savings over the loan duration exceed 55,000 euros in avoided interest.

Sequencing matters. Start with the PTZ application through your bank (it must be authorised), then submit the PPL file to the Paris City Hall, and finally apply for Action Logement through your employer. The mortgage broker coordinates everything so that loan offers converge within the timeframe of your preliminary sales agreement.

Property Hunter Support for First-Time Buyers

The purchase service at Home Select includes a financial component in its support for first-time buyers. Our property hunters verify eligibility for the various aid programmes from the first meeting, direct clients to the right contacts (PTZ-specialised brokers, the City Hall PPL office) and target the search on properties compatible with subsidised programme requirements.

For a first-time buyer looking for a one-bedroom between 350,000 and 450,000 euros in the 18th, 19th or 20th arrondissement, knowing which arrondissements allow access to quality properties within budget is a decisive advantage.

Access to the off-market also allows spotting opportunities before they are publicly listed, an advantage in the most competitive segments.

FAQ

Is the PTZ available for purchasing an existing property in Paris in 2026?

Yes. Since the expansion of the programme in 2024, the PTZ is available for purchasing an existing property in all zones, including Paris (zone A bis). Income conditions and transaction caps apply. The PTZ finances up to 50% of the transaction for the lowest-income households.

Can you combine the PTZ and the Pret Paris Logement?

Yes, the PTZ and the Pret Paris Logement are stackable. This is one of the most advantageous combinations for Parisian first-time buyers. The combination of both can represent additional funding of 70,000 to 150,000 euros at zero or very low interest rates.

What are the income caps for the PTZ in Paris in 2026?

Paris is classified as zone A bis. For a couple without children (2 persons), the income cap is approximately 51,800 euros annually for tier 1. For a couple with one child (3 persons), it reaches approximately 67,300 euros. These caps are revised annually.

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First-time purchase in Paris? Our property hunters guide you from budget planning to key handover. Contact Home Select to assess your eligibility and start your search.