Real estate careers in Paris

The market in Paris

An existing apartment in Paris sold for 9,550 € per sqm at the end of July 2026, almost unchanged in a year (down 0.5%), while sales across the Île-de-France rose 5% between May and July 2026.

Paris is France's most expensive and most international market. Existing apartments sold for 9,550 € per sqm at the end of July 2026, down 0.5% in a year, against 6,150 € across the Île-de-France region, and pre-contracts pointed to about 9,600 € in October 2026 (Notaires du Grand Paris). Activity is picking up: 36,810 existing homes changed hands in the region between May and July 2026, up 5% on a year earlier. Portal estimates at 1 October 2026 put Paris at 9,630 € per sqm for apartments and 10,059 € for houses (MeilleursAgents). Buyers pay transfer taxes at the raised rate of about 6.31%, and second homes carry the maximum 60% surcharge on the taxe d'habitation. Prestige agencies such as Barnes, Daniel Féau, Émile Garcin and Kretz work alongside networks like Century 21, Laforêt and Guy Hoquet.

Foreign buyers

Paris draws buyers from all over the world, but non-residents stay a small share of the regional market: an older notaires study put non-resident foreigners at about 0.7% of purchases in the Île-de-France (2017 data, Journal de l'Agence, 2019). Americans were reported as the largest group of non-resident buyers in Paris in 2023, with about a quarter of those purchases (MonChasseurImmo, June 2025, indicative). In the luxury segment, agents who speak English and can explain the notaire process, the 10-day withdrawal period and the 6.31% transfer taxes have a clear advantage.

Main neighbourhoods

Le Marais (3rd and 4th)Latin Quarter (5th)Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th)7th arrondissementTriangle d'Or (8th)Opéra and Saint-Georges (9th)Canal Saint-Martin (10th)Oberkampf and Bastille (11th)Montparnasse (14th)16th arrondissementBatignolles (17th)Montmartre (18th)

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