Buying property as a couple is often a major life project, whether you’re simply in a relationship, married, or in a civil partnership. While exciting, this project still requires some precautions to ensure everything goes smoothly. If you don’t properly prepare for this stage, unpleasant surprises may arise — especially if your situation changes. What happens if you buy property together while married, in a civil partnership, or living together? Here’s everything you need to know to plan ahead wisely.
Buying Together Without Being Married: What to Know
If you’re not married or in a civil union, no legal regime applies by default: each of you is considered a separate buyer. That means you have no protection in the event of one partner’s death.
In this situation, you’ll be buying as co-owners (indivision). You can choose to split ownership equally or unequally, depending on your financial contributions. However, to ensure this split is recognized, make sure it’s clearly stated in the official deed signed with the notary.
Even if you’re not married, it’s recommended to create a joint bank account to pay the mortgage together.
- If you break up, you’ll need to agree to sell the property. Without mutual agreement, selling is technically not allowed.
- If one of you passes away, the other must buy out their share, with no automatic inheritance rights.
If you don’t want to formalize your relationship legally, an alternative option is to create a joint real estate company (SCI in France). This helps structure your financial shares and anticipate succession more clearly in case something happens to one of you.
Buying as a Married Couple: Several Scenarios
Buying property while married depends on the matrimonial regime you chose at the time of your union:
- If you’re married under separation of assets, you’ll buy as co-owners, like an unmarried couple.
- If you’re married under the community property regime (réduite aux acquêts), you each own 50% of the property — even if your financial contributions were unequal.
- If you’re married under the full community of property regime, everything is shared, including the property, regardless of individual contributions.
Buying While in a Civil Partnership: Also a Smart Choice!
In a civil partnership, the law considers the purchase as a co-ownership investment, meaning you each own a share proportional to what you contributed.
Important: in a civil partnership, if one of you dies, the other does not automatically inherit like in marriage. That’s why, if you’re in a civil union, you must plan ahead… Write a will and name your partner officially. A small detail that can make a huge difference.
Buying as a couple is usually a strength: you can afford a more expensive property together, and banks are often more willing to grant a loan. But to give your project the best chance of success, make sure you’re well-prepared and think ahead. Ideally, consult with professionals to structure everything properly.
