What salary to borrow €300,000 in France?
Updated on 27 July 2026
To borrow €300,000 in France, you need to earn around €4,300 net per month over 25 years, or up to €8,300 net over 10 years, so the monthly payment stays under the 35% debt-to-income limit set by the Haut Conseil de Stabilité Financière (HCSF, France's financial stability watchdog). The exact salary required depends on the loan term, the interest rate and the borrower's insurance.
Whether the borrower is self-employed or salaried, banks review the property project in detail, factoring in the debt-to-income ratio, current expenses and the stability of income.
- The debt-to-income ratio is calculated by dividing total monthly charges, insurance included, by net income, then multiplying by 100.
- Extending the loan term lowers the monthly payment and the required salary, but increases the total cost of interest.
- A down payment that covers notary fees strengthens the application and reduces the capital to be borrowed.
- The HCSF caps mortgage terms at 25 years, with an exemption margin for 20% of banks' lending output.
- Complementary loans such as the interest-free PTZ or the Action Logement employer loan can reduce the amount financed at market rate.
What salary do you need to borrow €300,000?
A €300,000 mortgage requires a salary that meets banks' criteria for debt-to-income ratio and remaining living income. The loan term directly affects the salary needed to borrow.
| Term | Average rate (mid-2026) | Monthly payment (excl. insurance) | Minimum net salary (35%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 years | 3.03% | ~€2,900 | ~€8,300 |
| 15 years | 3.12% | ~€2,100 | ~€6,000 |
| 20 years | 3.34% | ~€1,700 | ~€4,900 |
| 25 years | 3.37% | ~€1,500 | ~€4,300 |
The reasoning stays the same whatever the amount borrowed: find out the salary needed to borrow €200,000, €250,000 or €400,000, as well as all our guides on mortgage loans.
What salary to borrow €300,000 over 10 years?
To borrow €300,000 over 10 years at an indicative average rate of 3.03% in mid-2026 (source: Observatoire Crédit Logement/CSA), the minimum salary required must cover monthly payments of around €2,900, while staying under the maximum 35% debt-to-income ratio.
What salary to borrow €300,000 over 15 years?
Extending the loan term to 15 years, at an average rate of 3.12%, would produce more affordable monthly payments. This lowers the minimum salary required, but it must still cover monthly payments of around €2,100.
What salary to borrow €300,000 over 20 years?
With a 20-year term and a rate of 3.34%, the application must show a salary high enough for a monthly payment of around €1,700, while factoring in existing charges and loans that affect the debt-to-income ratio.
What salary to borrow €300,000 over 25 years?
Finally, for a 25-year loan at a rate of 3.37%, monthly payments drop to around €1,500. The required salary must therefore be consistent with this payment, without forgetting to manage a balanced budget and keep a comfortable living income.
Goals
How is borrowing capacity calculated?
Borrowing capacity is the maximum amount a bank agrees to lend, based on income, expenses and the loan term, within the 35% debt-to-income limit, insurance included.
Factors affecting borrowing capacity
Borrowing capacity depends on several variables:
- Net monthly income: the money left over after income tax and social contributions.
- Monthly expenses: recurring costs such as other loans, rent, bills and other financial commitments.
- Loan term: the longer the repayment period, the lower the monthly payments, but the higher the total cost of the loan.
- Mortgage insurance: often required when taking out a mortgage, its cost varies with the borrower's profile and must be included in the expense calculation.
The importance of the debt-to-income ratio
The debt-to-income ratio is a decisive factor when applying for a loan.
- It is a percentage measuring the share of income devoted to debt repayments.
- The recommended maximum debt-to-income ratio is 35%, insurance included.
- It is calculated by dividing total monthly charges by net monthly income and multiplying the result by 100.
- Staying under this threshold ensures a degree of financial stability and lets borrowers maintain a decent standard of living despite their loan commitments.
According to the Haut Conseil de Stabilité Financière, the debt burden "should not usually exceed 35% of income" and loan terms "should not usually exceed 25 years". This recommendation became binding in 2022.
How do the rate and insurance affect the monthly payment?
When you want to borrow €300,000 for a property project, the interest rate and loan insurance are decisive for the amount of the monthly payment and borrowing capacity.
Impact of the interest rate
The interest rate, fixed or variable, directly affects the total cost of the mortgage.
With a fixed rate, monthly payments stay constant throughout the loan term, allowing for more predictable budget management.
Conversely, a variable rate can fluctuate with market movements, affecting the monthly payments and the total cost of the loan.
It is crucial to compare mortgage rates to determine the acceptable debt-to-income ratio threshold, which will affect borrowing capacity.
The impact of loan insurance
Borrower's insurance is a guarantee required by lending institutions to cover the risk of the borrower defaulting.
This insurance includes several types of cover, such as death, disability or job loss.
The cost of the loan insurance is added to the monthly payment and varies with the borrower's profile, age and health.
The application fees can also affect the cost of the insurance.
Borrowers can take the insurance offered by the lender or choose an alternative policy, often more competitive. This can reduce the overall cost of the loan and make better use of the budget allocated to the property project.
How can you strengthen your loan application?
To put together a strong application to borrow €300,000, it's essential to give the bank a solid file. This means improving your borrowing capacity and knowing about the available support schemes and complementary loans.
Increase your borrowing capacity
Borrowing capacity depends mainly on two factors: your regular income and how you manage your expenses.
Lending institutions assess your financial situation to determine how much they can lend you. Here are a few ways to improve it:
- Reducing expenses: Reviewing your current expenses can reveal room for manoeuvre. Outstanding consumer loans can be consolidated to lower monthly payments.
- Increasing your down payment: A larger down payment generally reduces the amount to be borrowed. A bigger down payment can also affect the loan terms offered by lenders.
Apps like Finary let you track your accounts and expenses in one place, which is useful for reviewing your budget before applying for a loan.
In addition, taking out suitable mortgage insurance, which secures repayment in the event of unforeseen circumstances, is a sign of reliability for lenders.
Additional support schemes and complementary loans
Several schemes can complement your mortgage and improve your project:
- Interest-free loan (PTZ): For first-time buyers, the PTZ is an interest-free loan that can finance part of your purchase, subject to income conditions.
- Home savings plan (PEL): A PEL, France's regulated home-savings scheme, can let you access a loan on favourable terms after a savings phase.
- Employer loans (Action Logement): Some employees can get preferential-rate loans through their employer.
Take the time to gather the necessary supporting documents and find out about any financial support you may be eligible for, based on your personal situation (permanent or fixed-term contract, dependent children, etc.). Support from a credit broker (IOBSP, an intermediary in banking and payment services registered with ORIAS) can make putting together the loan application easier.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average monthly payment for a €300,000 loan over 20 years?
For a €300,000 loan over 20 years at an average rate of around 3.34% in mid-2026, the monthly payment comes to nearly €1,715, excluding insurance. To stay under the 35% debt-to-income limit, the net salary required is close to €4,900 per month.
Is it possible to get a €300,000 loan with no down payment?
It's possible but rare. Banks reserve financing with no down payment for very strong profiles, since the down payment (often at least 10% of the price) covers notary and guarantee fees. Without one, the application needs to compensate with stable income and remaining savings.
Which loan term should you choose to borrow €300,000 on a modest salary?
Extending the term up to 25 years, the limit set by the HCSF, lowers the monthly payment and therefore the salary required. In exchange, the total cost of interest increases. It's the main lever for making a €300,000 loan accessible on a tight budget.
What net salary do you need to borrow €300,000 over 25 years?
Over 25 years at a rate of around 3.37%, the monthly payment is around €1,500, excluding insurance. To stay within the 35% debt-to-income limit, you need to earn around €4,300 net per month, provided you have no other loans running.
Sources
Observatoire Crédit Logement/CSA, average mortgage rates by loan term
Service-public.gouv.fr, interest-free loan (PTZ) for first-time buyers
Regulatory disclaimers: Marketing communication. Investing carries a risk of partial or total capital loss. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This article is provided for information and educational purposes only; it does not constitute personalised investment advice, a buy or sell recommendation, or tax advice. Before investing, read the Key Information Document (KID) and, where relevant, consult an authorised adviser. Finary SAS, an investment firm authorised by the ACPR (no. 19283), member of AMAFI. Insurance broker registered with ORIAS (no. 21001279), member of the CNCGP (association approved by the AMF). Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorised by the AMF under the MiCA regime, references no. A2026-026 and no. N2026-008.
