FrancoPhil02

Hello, new member here. Can anyone tell me whether it is possible to buy a static home in France without having a residence permit?

cyrian

Hi
I see that you have German citizenship and as an EU citizen you don't need a residence permit.
Have you considered renting a home at least initially?
You have lived in Germany for many years and (if you are retired) your healthcare should be covered by Germany.

FrancoPhil02

Hello Cyrian, thankyou for your reply. It's a nice idea, renting a home. It would certainly save a lot of trouble with all the paperwork. I will look into it. The only thing that puts me off buying a home is the possibility of selling it at a later date. Hence the idea of buying a static home. I won't be staying in France throughout the entire year as most places where static homes are available only allow seasonal access, e.g. April to October. Also I feel the possibility of later selling a static home could be easier?

EuroTrash

Nobody needs a residence permit to buy a house or a mobile home or any kind of residence in France. Many people who don't have the right to live in France, buy a place as a holiday home, for themselves or to rent out.
Since you don't cross a contolled border to get to France, there will be no checks on how long you spend here in any case.
One issue to bear in mind with mobile homes is that some / most sites have restrictions on the age of the units that can be sited there. I suppose they feel it's bad for their image if they have a lot of old units around the campsite that may be showing their age. Some have an age limit of 15 years old for example. So it may not be easy to sell a static once it gets towards the end of its life.

FrancoPhil02

I didn't know that. Thanks for the good advice.

Moses2013

Depending on location and plot prices, probably easier to put it on you own land if the council allow and give you permit. No idea about France, it seems above 40m2 would be considered leisure building/new construction according to info here and below 40m2 is forbidden for permanent living if mobile home and not leisure habitations légères de loisirs :
https://www.french-property.com/guid...e/mobile-homes

These days it's more a modular home rather than a static and a great option

FrancoPhil02

I don't think I could go through the rigmarole of buying the land, applying for planning permission and getting it all connected up. Probably also require a fosse septique which would be expensive...
If I do go down that route I would prefer something already standing. Thanks for the useful link though!

EuroTrash

Perhaps the most hassle free solution would be to rent a static caravan by the season?

FrancoPhil02

Yes that is another good possibility. After reading the link you sent me it appears permanent installation on private land is a no-go.

"Planning laws forbid the permanent installation of a mobile home on private land, whether your own, or that of another person. They must either be installed either on a residential leisure park created for this purpose, either a parc residentiel de loisirs or a village de vacance en hebergement."

EuroTrash

I believe you are correct. Basically France wants doesn't want people to have the option of making a mobile home their principal residence, and if it let people install them on private land how could it stop them.
Having said that, there is a mobile home installed in the courtyard of a house near me. It's been there for years, and before that there was a large motorhome in the same spot. I have often wondered how that works but I don't like to ask point blank.

Moses2013

I see similar here in Ireland and Spain. Some just get away with it and for some it's seen as a caravan and plenty of people have those parked on their property. Unless a neighbour actually complains, most councils will probably not bother if a house is there already. It gets more complicated when you put it on an empty plot of land that's not developed and you need to connect to mains.

FrancoPhil02

Precisely. That is part of the "rigmarole" I was referring to. I like the idea of some sort of static home. although it would preferably have to be somewhere enclosed and quiet, i.e. not on a massive campsite. I have seen one or two of that nature.

Moses2013

I can understand that and it's a real shame that regulations are often in the way. Especially for those who seek the quieter life and dont need a huge amount of space, it's far better than an apartment or large house that needs a lot maintenance.

FrancoPhil02

Exactly that yes. I can see more and more people wanting or even having to live off-grid in future.