Is Spain easier to retire to than France for a Canadian?

Generally yes — Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa has a clearer, more standardized process at Canadian consulates than France's visitor visa pathway. The NLV requirements are well-defined: approximately €28,800/year passive income for a single applicant, comprehensive private health insurance, and a clean criminal record. The process is managed through Spanish Consulates in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver with predictable timelines. France's long-stay visitor visa requirements are less standardized — different French consulates apply slightly different income thresholds and documentary requirements, making the process less predictable. After arrival, Spain's NLV renewal process is more formalized than France's titre de séjour conversion at the local prefecture. For Canadians who value bureaucratic predictability, Spain's pathway is easier to plan for.

What is the Beckham Law, and can Canadian retirees use it?

The Beckham Law (Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Desplazados, RETA) is a Spanish tax regime that taxes qualifying new residents at a flat 24% on Spanish-source income for 6 years — significantly lower than Spain's progressive rates (up to 47%). The 2023 extension added remote workers and digital nomads to the qualifying categories. The key qualifier: you must have active employment or business income, not primarily passive retirement income. Canadian retirees drawing OAS, CPP, RRIF, or pension income as their primary income source do not qualify for Beckham Law. Canadians who move to Spain while continuing to work remotely for a Canadian company may qualify — but this requires meeting the specific conditions and is not guaranteed. Before planning a Spain retirement on the assumption of Beckham Law benefits, consult a Spanish gestor or tax lawyer to verify your eligibility.

How does forced heirship work in Spain and France, and can Canadians avoid it?

Spanish forced heirship: Under Spanish law, legitimate heirs (children, and in some cases the surviving spouse) have a mandatory claim (legítima) to a portion of the Spanish estate. Two-thirds of the estate must go to descendants in some form. The forced heir can be satisfied with the minimum — but cannot be fully disinherited. French forced heirship (réserve héréditaire) is stricter: children cannot be excluded from their reserved share, regardless of the decedent's wishes. One child: reserved half. Two children: two-thirds. Three or more children: three-quarters. EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV) allows a Canadian national residing in Spain or France to elect that Canadian law governs their succession — potentially avoiding forced heirship. But this election must be explicitly made in a will that complies with Brussels IV requirements, and must be recognized in the country where the property is located. A cross-border estate planning lawyer is essential. France's SCI structure is the most commonly used practical tool for French property succession planning by non-EU buyers.

How does Spain's IBI and France's taxe foncière compare on a real property?

Using a comparable €350,000 market-value property as a reference: Spain: cadastral value might be €140,000 (40% of market). IBI rate in a mid-range municipality: 0.6%. Annual IBI: approximately €840/year. France: valeur locative cadastrale for an equivalent property might be €8,000–€12,000/year. Taxe foncière rate: varies by commune, but typically 40–80% of the taxe de base. Approximate annual taxe foncière: €1,200–€2,500/year. On this basis, France's taxe foncière tends to run 40–100% higher than Spain's IBI for comparable coastal properties. The comparison varies significantly by specific location — rural France can be cheaper than coastal Spain; Paris is dramatically more expensive than anywhere. Both countries also charge property owners deemed income tax if the property is vacant (IBI is separate from income taxes).

Is the French healthcare system better than Spain's for Canadian retirees?

Both are excellent. France's PUMA system is frequently ranked the world's best or among the top 3 healthcare systems globally — comprehensive coverage, strong primary care, and excellent specialist access. Spain's SNS is also world-class, ranked in the top 10 globally. For Canadian retirees, the practical distinction is access timing: France's PUMA activates for legal residents after 3 months of residency. Spain's SNS access for Non-Lucrative Visa holders is restricted during the NLV period (you must have private health insurance, not rely on SNS). After obtaining Permanent Residency in Spain (5 years), SNS access is available. In practice: most expats in both countries supplement their public system access with private supplementary insurance (mutuelle in France, seguro médico in Spain) for faster specialist access and fewer waiting room delays. Private insurance costs approximately €100–€200/month for a healthy retiree in both countries.

Can Quebecers who speak French find it easier in France than in Spain?

Yes — and this is one of the most underappreciated practical advantages for Quebec-origin Canadians considering France. Quebec French and metropolitan French have significant differences in pronunciation and vocabulary — but the languages are mutually intelligible, and French administrative offices, doctors, neighbours, and service providers all speak the same language. In France, a Quebecois Canadian has zero language barrier. In Spain, an English-speaking Canadian needs Spanish for daily life in most contexts outside of major expat zones. For Francophone Canadians, France's language advantage should be weighted heavily in the comparison — it affects everything from reading legal documents to navigating health appointments to building authentic local friendships. For Anglophones, Spain's tourist zone English accessibility partially offsets the language gap.

What are the best regions in Spain for Canadian buyers vs France?

Spain for Canadians: The Costa del Sol (Marbella, Estepona, Fuengirola) is the most established British-Canadian expat market — excellent English infrastructure, subtropical climate (300+ sun days), good golf and marina lifestyle. The Costa Blanca (Alicante province: Javea, Calpe, Altea) has arguably better beaches and slightly lower prices. The Balearic Islands (Mallorca primarily) are premium — €350,000–€600,000 entry for coastal, but the island lifestyle is unmatched in Spain. For budget buyers, Murcia and interior Andalucía offer properties from €80,000–€150,000. France for Canadians: The Côte d'Azur (Nice, Antibes, Cannes, Villefranche-sur-Mer) is Mediterranean France at its finest — expensive, cosmopolitan, Italian proximity. Provence (Aix, Avignon, Luberon) offers wine country and lavender fields but fewer beach amenities. Languedoc-Roussillon (Montpellier, Sète) is cheaper Côte d'Azur alternative. For Francophone Canadians: Paris is the ultimate option — expensive but unparalleled cultural life. The Dordogne and Lot valleys (Périgord, Quercy) have an established British and Dutch expat community with affordable rural properties.

Does Canada have a tax treaty with Spain and France?

Yes — Canada has tax treaties with both Spain and France. The Canada-Spain Tax Convention and Canada-France Tax Convention both address withholding on Canadian-source pension income for non-residents. The applicable withholding rates for pension income (OAS, CPP, RRIF) to residents of Spain and France: 25% in both cases under the pension articles. This is the same rate as Ecuador and Costa Rica (no treaty benefit for pension income). Note: some specific income types may have different treaty rates — dividends, interest, and business income treatment differs. For pension income specifically, living in Spain or France does not provide the 15% treaty rate that Mexico offers. Confirm with a Canadian tax advisor how the specific treaty articles apply to your income types.

Is Spain easier to retire to than France for a Canadian?

Generally yes — Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa has a clearer, more standardized process at Canadian consulates than France's visitor visa pathway. The NLV requirements are well-defined: approximately €28,800/year passive income for a single applicant, comprehensive private health insurance, and a clean criminal record. The process is managed through Spanish Consulates in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver with predictable timelines. France's long-stay visitor visa requirements are less standardized — different French consulates apply slightly different income thresholds and documentary requirements, making the process less predictable. After arrival, Spain's NLV renewal process is more formalized than France's titre de séjour conversion at the local prefecture. For Canadians who value bureaucratic predictability, Spain's pathway is easier to plan for.

What is the Beckham Law, and can Canadian retirees use it?

The Beckham Law (Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Desplazados, RETA) is a Spanish tax regime that taxes qualifying new residents at a flat 24% on Spanish-source income for 6 years — significantly lower than Spain's progressive rates (up to 47%). The 2023 extension added remote workers and digital nomads to the qualifying categories. The key qualifier: you must have active employment or business income, not primarily passive retirement income. Canadian retirees drawing OAS, CPP, RRIF, or pension income as their primary income source do not qualify for Beckham Law. Canadians who move to Spain while continuing to work remotely for a Canadian company may qualify — but this requires meeting the specific conditions and is not guaranteed. Before planning a Spain retirement on the assumption of Beckham Law benefits, consult a Spanish gestor or tax lawyer to verify your eligibility.

How does forced heirship work in Spain and France, and can Canadians avoid it?

Spanish forced heirship: Under Spanish law, legitimate heirs (children, and in some cases the surviving spouse) have a mandatory claim (legítima) to a portion of the Spanish estate. Two-thirds of the estate must go to descendants in some form. The forced heir can be satisfied with the minimum — but cannot be fully disinherited. French forced heirship (réserve héréditaire) is stricter: children cannot be excluded from their reserved share, regardless of the decedent's wishes. One child: reserved half. Two children: two-thirds. Three or more children: three-quarters. EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV) allows a Canadian national residing in Spain or France to elect that Canadian law governs their succession — potentially avoiding forced heirship. But this election must be explicitly made in a will that complies with Brussels IV requirements, and must be recognized in the country where the property is located. A cross-border estate planning lawyer is essential. France's SCI structure is the most commonly used practical tool for French property succession planning by non-EU buyers.

How does Spain's IBI and France's taxe foncière compare on a real property?

Using a comparable €350,000 market-value property as a reference: Spain: cadastral value might be €140,000 (40% of market). IBI rate in a mid-range municipality: 0.6%. Annual IBI: approximately €840/year. France: valeur locative cadastrale for an equivalent property might be €8,000–€12,000/year. Taxe foncière rate: varies by commune, but typically 40–80% of the taxe de base. Approximate annual taxe foncière: €1,200–€2,500/year. On this basis, France's taxe foncière tends to run 40–100% higher than Spain's IBI for comparable coastal properties. The comparison varies significantly by specific location — rural France can be cheaper than coastal Spain; Paris is dramatically more expensive than anywhere. Both countries also charge property owners deemed income tax if the property is vacant (IBI is separate from income taxes).

Is the French healthcare system better than Spain's for Canadian retirees?

Both are excellent. France's PUMA system is frequently ranked the world's best or among the top 3 healthcare systems globally — comprehensive coverage, strong primary care, and excellent specialist access. Spain's SNS is also world-class, ranked in the top 10 globally. For Canadian retirees, the practical distinction is access timing: France's PUMA activates for legal residents after 3 months of residency. Spain's SNS access for Non-Lucrative Visa holders is restricted during the NLV period (you must have private health insurance, not rely on SNS). After obtaining Permanent Residency in Spain (5 years), SNS access is available. In practice: most expats in both countries supplement their public system access with private supplementary insurance (mutuelle in France, seguro médico in Spain) for faster specialist access and fewer waiting room delays. Private insurance costs approximately €100–€200/month for a healthy retiree in both countries.

Can Quebecers who speak French find it easier in France than in Spain?

Yes — and this is one of the most underappreciated practical advantages for Quebec-origin Canadians considering France. Quebec French and metropolitan French have significant differences in pronunciation and vocabulary — but the languages are mutually intelligible, and French administrative offices, doctors, neighbours, and service providers all speak the same language. In France, a Quebecois Canadian has zero language barrier. In Spain, an English-speaking Canadian needs Spanish for daily life in most contexts outside of major expat zones. For Francophone Canadians, France's language advantage should be weighted heavily in the comparison — it affects everything from reading legal documents to navigating health appointments to building authentic local friendships. For Anglophones, Spain's tourist zone English accessibility partially offsets the language gap.

What are the best regions in Spain for Canadian buyers vs France?

Spain for Canadians: The Costa del Sol (Marbella, Estepona, Fuengirola) is the most established British-Canadian expat market — excellent English infrastructure, subtropical climate (300+ sun days), good golf and marina lifestyle. The Costa Blanca (Alicante province: Javea, Calpe, Altea) has arguably better beaches and slightly lower prices. The Balearic Islands (Mallorca primarily) are premium — €350,000–€600,000 entry for coastal, but the island lifestyle is unmatched in Spain. For budget buyers, Murcia and interior Andalucía offer properties from €80,000–€150,000. France for Canadians: The Côte d'Azur (Nice, Antibes, Cannes, Villefranche-sur-Mer) is Mediterranean France at its finest — expensive, cosmopolitan, Italian proximity. Provence (Aix, Avignon, Luberon) offers wine country and lavender fields but fewer beach amenities. Languedoc-Roussillon (Montpellier, Sète) is cheaper Côte d'Azur alternative. For Francophone Canadians: Paris is the ultimate option — expensive but unparalleled cultural life. The Dordogne and Lot valleys (Périgord, Quercy) have an established British and Dutch expat community with affordable rural properties.

Does Canada have a tax treaty with Spain and France?

Yes — Canada has tax treaties with both Spain and France. The Canada-Spain Tax Convention and Canada-France Tax Convention both address withholding on Canadian-source pension income for non-residents. The applicable withholding rates for pension income (OAS, CPP, RRIF) to residents of Spain and France: 25% in both cases under the pension articles. This is the same rate as Ecuador and Costa Rica (no treaty benefit for pension income). Note: some specific income types may have different treaty rates — dividends, interest, and business income treatment differs. For pension income specifically, living in Spain or France does not provide the 15% treaty rate that Mexico offers. Confirm with a Canadian tax advisor how the specific treaty articles apply to your income types.

Spain vs France for Canadian Retirement: Full Comparison (2026)

Reviewed on March 2026 by the Compass Abroad editorial team

Spain wins on visa accessibility (clearer NLV process), lower coastal prices vs French Riviera, and English accessibility in the tourist zones. France wins for Francophone Canadians (zero language barrier), the SCI ownership structure for succession planning, and world-class healthcare. Neither provides a better pension withholding rate than Mexico — both countries result in 25% withholding on Canadian OAS/CPP. The Beckham Law does NOT apply to passive-income retirees.

Forced heirship is real in both countries — don't buy significant property in Spain or France without specialist cross-border estate planning. The SCI in France and Brussels IV succession elections in both countries are the primary planning tools.

Key Takeaways

Spain and France are Europe's two most popular retirement destinations for Canadians with non-Italian European heritage — both offer Mediterranean lifestyle options, strong healthcare systems, and well-developed expat infrastructure in the tourist zones. The right choice depends primarily on your language (French vs Spanish), your preferred lifestyle geography, and your specific tax and estate planning situation.
Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa is more accessible and more standardized than France's visitor visa pathway. The Spanish NLV has a clear income requirement, a predictable process at Canadian consulates, and a defined renewal-to-permanent-residency pathway. France's process is less standardized — requirements and processing timelines vary by French consulate and prefecture, making it harder to plan with certainty.
The Beckham Law is frequently misrepresented as a general Spain retirement tax incentive — it is not. It applies to qualifying workers and remote employees, not to passive-income retirees. Canadian retirees planning to live off pension income in Spain should not factor Beckham Law into their retirement tax calculation. Spain's standard income tax rates (up to 47% on high income) apply to most retiree income streams.
France's SCI corporate ownership structure has a specific use case: avoiding forced heirship rules by converting real property to company shares. For Canadian buyers with complex family situations (blended families, wish to leave property to non-heirs, co-ownership with non-family members), the SCI can be a valuable planning tool. For straightforward couples or single buyers planning to leave property to children, the SCI's complexity may not be warranted.
Both countries have forced heirship rules that affect how property can be bequeathed — a genuine estate planning challenge for Canadian buyers. EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV) allows EU residents to elect their nationality's succession law, which theoretically allows Canadians to apply Canadian law. But this election has limits and requires specialist legal structuring. Do not purchase significant property in Spain or France without specialist cross-border estate planning advice.
The annual property tax comparison (IBI vs taxe foncière) is meaningful but not decisive for most buyers. France's taxe foncière can be higher than Spain's IBI on equivalent properties in coastal markets, but both are well below Canadian property tax rates. The more significant ongoing cost differences are in non-resident income taxes on empty properties — both countries charge deemed income on unrented secondary homes.
Lifestyle geography is perhaps the most important factor for many buyers. Spain offers the Costa del Sol (subtropical climate, British-heavy expat community), the Balearics (Mallorca, Ibiza — premium island lifestyle), the Costa Blanca (Alicante province, large expat community, affordable prices), and Barcelona (cosmopolitan city). France offers the Côte d'Azur (Nice, Cannes — luxury French Riviera), Provence (wine country, lavender, truffle), the Dordogne/Lot valley (rural southwest), and Paris. These are meaningfully different lifestyle propositions.
Language: French-speaking Canadians from Quebec have a structural advantage in France — language is not a barrier, the cultural familiarity is high, and Quebec's French is understood (though there are accent differences). English-speaking Canadians face a steeper language barrier in France than in Spain's major expat zones where English is more commonly spoken in the Costa del Sol, Barcelona, and the Balearics.

Spain vs France: Key Facts for Canadian Retirees

Spain Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV): Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa is the standard pathway for non-EU retirees (including Canadians). It requires demonstrating approximately €28,800/year in passive income for a single applicant (2025 figures — approximately €2,400/month) and comprehensive health insurance not relying on Spanish public healthcare. No age minimum. Renewed annually for 5 years before applying for Permanent Residency. Processed at the Spanish Consulate in Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver.
France Long-Stay Visa / Vie Privée et Familiale: France does not have a dedicated retirement visa for non-EU citizens. Canadians typically apply for a Long-Stay Visitor Visa (Visa de long séjour) — which requires proof of sufficient financial resources (approximately €1,500–€2,000/month), accommodation in France, and health insurance. The visa must be converted to a Titre de Séjour (residence permit) after arrival at the local prefecture. The process is more bureaucratically complex than Spain's NLV and less standardized across French consulates.
Spain Beckham Law — for workers, not retirees: Spain's Beckham Law (Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Desplazados) is a flat 24% income tax rate on Spanish-source income for qualifying non-resident workers and their families for 6 years. It was originally designed for professional athletes and executives transferred to Spain — but was extended in 2023 to remote workers (digital nomads) and entrepreneurs. It is generally NOT applicable to passive-income retirees or pensioners. Canadians considering Spain specifically for the Beckham Law should verify they meet the active income qualification with a Spanish tax advisor.
France SCI structure for property ownership: The SCI (Société Civile Immobilière) is a French corporate structure for holding property. Benefits: avoids French succession law forced heirship rules (réserve héréditaire) by converting real property to company shares (which can be freely bequeathed); enables mortgage financing in some cases; can simplify co-ownership structures. Drawbacks: setup costs (€1,500–€3,000), annual accounting obligations, potential capital gains treatment change on sale. SCIs are commonly used by French property buyers but are a specialized tool — not suitable for all buyers. A French notaire and accountant are essential before establishing an SCI.
IBI (Spain) vs taxe foncière (France) — annual property taxes: Spain's IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) is the annual property tax — calculated on the cadastral value (often 30–60% of market value). Rate varies by municipality: 0.4–1.1% of cadastral value. On a €300,000 property with cadastral value of €150,000 at 0.6%: approximately €900/year. France's taxe foncière is the annual property ownership tax — rates vary widely by commune: typically 0.5–2% of 'valeur locative cadastrale' (an administrative rental value). On a €300,000 property: typically €800–€3,000/year depending on commune. Taxe d'habitation has been abolished for primary residences but applies to secondary homes in some communes.
Forced heirship — both countries: Both Spain and France have forced heirship (succession reserve) rules that restrict how real property can be bequeathed. Under Spanish inheritance law, legitimate heirs (children, spouse) have mandatory inheritance rights over a portion of the estate. Under French law, réserve héréditaire is strict — children cannot be disinherited from a mandatory share. Canadian estates with French or Spanish property require a cross-border estate planning strategy. Both countries have applied the EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV), which allows EU residents to elect the law of their nationality (Canadian law) to govern their succession — a potential planning tool, but with limits. Dual wills and specialist estate planning are essential for significant property ownership in both countries.
Spain NIE vs France as a Canadian: Spain: all property transactions require an NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) — Spain's foreigner identification number. Obtain in Spain at the Comisaría de Policía or through the Spanish Consulate in Canada. Cost: approximately €10–€15. France: all property purchases require a French tax number (Numéro Fiscal) and a bank account. Obtain the tax number through the Service des Impôts des Non-Résidents. The French process is more complex than Spain's NIE.
Non-resident income tax on empty property: Both Spain and France tax non-residents on their Spanish/French properties even if not rented — a deemed income charge. Spain's IRNR (Impuesto sobre la Renta de No Residentes) on an empty secondary home: 1.1–2% of cadastral value taxed at 19% (for EU/EEA residents) or 24% (for non-EU residents like Canadians not yet resident). France's similar taxe sur la valeur locative. For the full Spain detail, see the Spain non-resident income tax on empty property guide.
Healthcare — both EU universal systems: Spain: the SNS (Sistema Nacional de Salud) public healthcare is considered one of the world's best — accessible to legal residents. Non-Lucrative Visa holders must have private health insurance during the initial visa period (not relying on SNS). After obtaining Permanent Residency, SNS access is possible. France: the PUMA system (Protection Universelle Maladie) provides health coverage to legal residents after 3 months of residency. Both systems are high-quality; France's system is frequently ranked #1 or #2 globally. Private supplementary insurance (mutuelle in France, seguro médico in Spain) is strongly recommended in both.
Property prices — Spain vs France: Spain: Costa del Sol (Marbella, Estepona) 2-bed apartment from €250,000–€600,000. Inland Spain (Murcia, Extremadura) from €80,000–€150,000. Madrid: €350,000–€600,000 (2-bed). Barcelona: €350,000–$700,000+. France: Côte d'Azur (Nice, Cannes) from €350,000–€800,000 (2-bed). Provence: €300,000–€700,000. Rural southwest (Dordogne, Lot): €120,000–€300,000. Paris: €500,000–€1M+ (1-bed). Spain's southern coastal markets are generally 20–30% cheaper than equivalent French Riviera properties.

Spain vs France: Full Comparison Table

Spain vs France retirement comparison for Canadian buyers — 15 factors
Factor	Spain	France
Primary retirement residency pathway	Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) — relatively clear process	Long-Stay Visitor Visa — less standardized
Income requirement	~€28,800/year (~€2,400/month)	~€1,500–€2,000/month (varies by consulate)
Special tax regime for retirees	Beckham Law (workers only — NOT retirees)	None specifically for retirees
Corporate property ownership structure	Limited Spanish equivalent	SCI (Société Civile Immobilière) — widely used
Annual property tax	IBI: 0.4–1.1% of cadastral value	Taxe foncière: 0.5–2% of rental value
Forced heirship	Yes — Spanish succession reserve	Yes — réserve héréditaire (strict)
Non-resident income tax on empty property	1.1–2% cadastral value × 19–24%	Similar deemed income charge
Canadian pension withholding	25% (Canada-Spain treaty — pension articles)	25% (Canada-France treaty — pension articles)
Tax identification number	NIE — fast, cheap, standardized	Numéro fiscal — more complex to obtain
Public healthcare access	SNS — after permanent residency	PUMA — after 3 months residency
NLV/visa health insurance requirement	Yes — must not rely on SNS during NLV period	Yes — comprehensive private coverage required
Property price range (2-bed, coastal)	€250K–€600K (Costa del Sol)	€350K–€800K (Côte d'Azur)
Value markets	Costa Blanca, Murcia, inland Spain (from €80K)	Rural southwest: Dordogne, Lot (from €120K)
Language for daily life	Spanish — English accessible in tourist zones	French — English limited outside major cities
Best region for Francophones	Not applicable	Everywhere — language is native advantage

The Beckham Law Misconception: What It Does and Doesn't Do

The Beckham Law is one of the most frequently misrepresented incentives in Spanish retirement marketing. The 24% flat tax rate sounds attractive — and it is, for qualifying workers and digital nomads. But it requires active employment or qualifying business income. Passive-income retirees drawing OAS, CPP, RRIF, and investment income do not qualify.

Spanish income tax rates for standard residents: 19–47% on taxable income, with the top rate applying to income above €300,000. Most retirees will land in the 19–37% bands. Spain's rates are competitive with France's (up to 45%) but neither country offers the tax efficiency of Mexico's 15% treaty rate on pension income. For the full Spanish tax picture, see the Spain property tax guide for Canadians and the Beckham Law guide for Canadian workers in Spain.

France's SCI: The Succession Planning Tool

France's réserve héréditaire (forced heirship) is among Europe's strictest — children cannot be excluded from their mandatory share. For Canadian buyers who wish to leave French property to a partner, step-children, or non-heirs, the standard direct ownership structure creates succession problems.

The SCI (Société Civile Immobilière) converts real property into company shares. Shares can be structured and bequeathed more flexibly than real property under French succession law. A Canadian buyer can hold shares in a French SCI and bequeath those shares according to a will governed by Canadian succession law (via a Brussels IV election) — providing meaningful protection against the réserve héréditaire for the SCI shares. Setup requires a French notaire and a specialist accountant. See the France SCI structure guide for Canadians.

Spain or France? Talk to Specialists in Both Markets.

We connect Canadian buyers with vetted local real estate and immigration experts in Spain and France — agents who understand the NLV, NIE, SCI structure, and the property buying process in each country.

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Spain vs France for Canadian Retirement