Real estate careers in Lyon

The market in Lyon

Lyon apartments were estimated at 4,714 € per sqm in October 2026, about half the Paris price (MeilleursAgents).

Lyon is one of France's largest cities and a broad, mostly domestic market. Portal estimates at 1 October 2026 put apartments at 4,714 € per sqm and houses at 5,798 € (MeilleursAgents), about half the Paris level; no recent notaires figure for the city was found. The Rhône raised its transfer taxes in 2025, so resale buyers pay about 6.31%, and Lyon applies the maximum 60% surcharge on the taxe d'habitation for second homes (SeLoger, October 2026). The 6th arrondissement concentrates the prestige agencies, with Barnes, Lyon Sotheby's, Engel & Völkers and Espaces Atypiques next to local régies such as Régie François Goffin and Bocquet des Garets et Chastel.

Foreign buyers

No recent official figure on foreign buyers in Lyon was found, and nationally non-resident foreigners made only about 1.8% of existing-home sales in 2022 (MySweetimmo, citing notaires). Agents working with international clients here should be ready to explain the notaire process, the 10-day withdrawal period and the 6.31% transfer taxes in English.

Main neighbourhoods

Presqu'île (1st and 2nd)Confluence (2nd)Croix-Rousse (4th)Vieux Lyon (5th)Brotteaux and the 6thPart-Dieu (3rd)Gerland (7th)Monplaisir (8th)Vaise (9th)VilleurbanneCaluire-et-CuireÉcully

Carte professionnelle

Anyone who, as a habitual activity, negotiates, sells, lets or manages property for others must hold a carte professionnelle. It carries a mention for each activity: T for transactions, G for property management and S for co-ownership management (syndic), with one card per company. The card is issued by the CCI on form Cerfa 15312 and is valid for 3 years; the renewal must be requested 2 months before it expires. The applicant must prove professional aptitude, good character, professional liability insurance (RCP) and, where the agency holds client money, a financial guarantee; a transaction agency that declares on honour that it holds no funds, effects or securities for clients does not need the guarantee. Aptitude means a degree at bac+3 level in law, economics or business, a BTS Professions immobilières or an equivalent level 6 title, or experience: 3 years as an employee of a card holder with the baccalauréat, or 10 years without it, cut to 4 years in a management role. At CCI Bretagne a first card cost 160 € and a renewal 130 € in October 2026; other CCIs may charge slightly different amounts. To renew, the holder and everyone who negotiates for the agency must prove 14 hours of continuing training a year, or 42 hours over the 3 years, including at least 2 hours of ethics and 2 hours on non-discrimination in access to housing. The full guide