What Salary to Borrow €150,000 in France?
Updated on 30 July 2026
To borrow €150,000 in France, you need a net salary of between about €2,169 per month (over 25 years) and €4,212 per month (over 10 years), depending on the loan term and the interest rate applied. Banks apply a maximum debt ratio of 35% of net income, the standard set by the Haut Conseil de Stabilité Financière (HCSF, France's financial stability watchdog), including borrower's insurance.
Salary is therefore a decisive factor in obtaining a mortgage loan. A higher salary can lead to more favourable loan conditions, including lower interest rates and a more flexible repayment term.
To determine the exact amount an individual can borrow with a given salary, it is recommended to use a mortgage loan simulator or to speak directly with a bank advisor.
- Over 15 years, at an average rate of 3.45%, you need a net salary of around €3,053 per month for a €150,000 loan.
- Over 20 years, at an average rate of 3.50%, a net salary of around €2,486 per month is needed for the same loan.
- The maximum debt ratio of 35% set by the HCSF includes the loan instalment and the cost of borrower's insurance, not just the capital.
- An online mortgage loan simulator lets you adjust the term, the rate and the insurance to get a personalised monthly payment.
- The zero-interest loan (Prêt à Taux Zéro, PTZ) can finance part of a first purchase interest-free, in addition to a €150,000 loan.
What net salary is needed, depending on the loan term?
The salary needed to borrow €150,000 varies depending on the loan term and the interest rate. Monthly payments depend on these factors, which in turn affect the minimum salary required. For comparison, also see the salary needed to borrow €100,000 or €200,000.
What salary to borrow €150,000 over 10 years?
With a 10-year loan at an average rate of 3.37% as of 27/07/2026 (excluding insurance), the monthly repayment amount would be around €1,474.
This suggests that a net monthly salary of at least €4,212 would be needed, assuming the monthly payments do not exceed 35% of the borrower's net income (HCSF standard).
What salary to borrow €150,000 over 15 years?
For a 15-year loan at an average rate of 3.45% as of 27/07/2026 (excluding insurance), the estimated monthly payments would be close to €1,069.
You would therefore need to show a minimum net monthly salary of €3,053 in order not to exceed the 35% debt ratio set by the HCSF.
What salary to borrow €150,000 over 20 years?
Opting for a loan spread over 20 years at an average rate of 3.50% as of 27/07/2026 (excluding insurance), the monthly repayment amount would come to around €870.
This implies a minimum net salary of around €2,486 per month.
What salary to borrow €150,000 over 25 years?
If the loan is spread over 25 years at an average rate of 3.60% as of 27/07/2026 (excluding insurance), the monthly payments come to approximately €759.
So a net monthly salary of €2,169 is the minimum required to stay within the 35% debt ratio.
What is borrowing capacity?
Borrowing capacity determines the maximum amount a person can obtain for a mortgage loan, based on their financial situation.
Factors affecting borrowing capacity
Several factors are taken into account by banks to assess an individual's borrowing capacity.
The net salary, whether it comes from a permanent contract (CDI) or fixed-term contract (CDD), a civil-servant position, or rental income, plays a major role.
In addition, banks will consider the personal down payment available, which can favourably influence the financing decision.
Furthermore, current monthly expenses must be weighed against income to determine disposable income and repayment capacity.
The chosen loan term also affects borrowing capacity: the longer the term, the lower the monthly payment can be, and vice versa.
The importance of the debt ratio
The debt ratio is a key indicator when applying for a loan.
It corresponds to the share of a borrower's income allocated to repaying their debts.
Most banks set a maximum debt ratio of 35% (the threshold set by the Haut Conseil de Stabilité Financière), after taking all expenses into account, to guarantee the borrower's financial security.
This recommended debt ratio includes the new loan instalment and any other debts the borrower may have.
Respecting this threshold ensures that the borrower retains enough income to cover other regular expenses without being put in financial difficulty.
Goals
The impact of the interest rate and loan insurance
How the interest rate affects your loan
An interest rate is essentially the cost of the mortgage loan, expressed as a percentage of the capital borrowed.
Banks offer different mortgage rates, and even a small variation can have a significant impact on the final amount to be repaid.
- Fixed rate: Stays constant throughout the loan term, which makes it easier to forecast future expenses precisely.
- Variable rate: Varies according to the bank's reference index, with potentially lower monthly payments at first but a risk of rising costs over time.
To borrow €150,000, it is crucial to compare offers to find the most advantageous rate suited to your financial situation. According to Pretto, the sector's benchmark index, average rates recorded on 27 July 2026 range from 3.37% over 10 years to 3.60% over 25 years.
The impact of loan insurance
Besides the interest rate, borrower's insurance is generally required by banks for a mortgage loan; it protects the bank and the borrower in case of repayment difficulties due to unforeseen circumstances.
The cost of this insurance varies according to several criteria, including the borrower's age, health, occupation and the loan amount.
There are several insurance options:
- Death and disability: Covers repayment of the loan in the event of the borrower's death or disability.
- Temporary incapacity to work: Applies if the borrower is temporarily unable to work.
- Unemployment insurance: Optional, it can be considered as protection against potential job loss.
Taking these factors into account and choosing the right insurance plan can considerably influence the total cost of a mortgage loan for a €150,000 loan.
Optimising your loan application
Before submitting your €150,000 loan application, it can be useful to strengthen your borrowing capacity and to know the assistance options available. A well-prepared file significantly increases your chances of obtaining the loan.
Increasing your borrowing capacity
To strengthen your file, it is recommended to reduce monthly expenses and increase your personal down payment.
Banks assess financial stability and professional situation; a permanent contract (CDI) or a self-employed profession with regular income is therefore viewed favourably.
Additional assistance and loans
Several forms of assistance and loans can complement a standard loan.
The zero-interest loan (Prêt à Taux Zéro, PTZ) is aimed at people who have not owned their main residence in the past two years. Since April 2025, it has financed, interest-free, part of the purchase of a new home anywhere in France, as well as the purchase of an older home requiring renovation work in certain zones.
Some employers also offer loans on favourable terms.
This assistance can favourably influence how lenders assess your application. The same principles apply for a different amount: see the salary needed to borrow €75,000 or €250,000.
Frequently asked questions
When it comes to borrowing €150,000, several key questions often come up. These are relevant for assessing loan approval conditions and borrower requirements.
Can you borrow €150,000 with no down payment?
Borrowing €150,000 with no personal down payment is theoretically possible, but it depends on each lender's policies. Banks generally require a down payment to minimise their risk, although some offers allow the entire property purchase to be financed.
What is the impact of the loan term on the capacity to borrow €150,000?
The repayment term has a direct impact on the loan's monthly payment. A loan spread over a longer period allows for lower monthly payments, and therefore a lower minimum salary required, but leads to a higher total cost of credit due to accumulated interest.
What is the impact of another loan already in progress?
Having another loan already in progress reduces the share of income available for a new loan. Banks add up all credit charges to check that the total debt ratio stays below the 35% threshold set by the HCSF, which can reduce the amount that can be borrowed.
Does the 35% debt ratio include borrower's insurance?
Yes. The maximum debt ratio of 35% set by the Haut Conseil de Stabilité Financière (HCSF) includes both the loan instalment and the cost of borrower's insurance. The simulations in this article are given excluding insurance: once it is added, the minimum salary required is slightly higher than the amounts shown above.
Why do some calculations use a third (33%) of the salary rather than 35%?
The one-third (33%) figure is an old rule of thumb used before the HCSF standard came into force. Since 2021, the official rule applied by regulated banks in France has been a maximum debt ratio of 35%, including borrower's insurance - a threshold slightly more favourable to the borrower.
Sources
Service-Public.fr, eligibility conditions for the zero-interest loan (PTZ)
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