Furnished or Unfurnished in Paris: The Complete Guide

You are preparing to move to Paris as part of a professional assignment, a long-term relocation or an expatriation. The first question that arises, even before visiting apartments, is often the same: is it better to rent furnished or unfurnished?

The answer is not universal. It depends on the length of your stay, your tax situation, your need for flexibility and, in the high-end segment, the type of lease you wish to sign.

This comprehensive guide gives you all the keys to making the right choice in Paris in 2026, with particular attention to the specificities of the luxury rental market.

What is a furnished rental?

A furnished property is one that provides the tenant with all the equipment needed to live there immediately. The Alur Act of 2014 established a precise list of mandatory items.

To be legally classified as furnished, the property must include at minimum:

• Complete bedding (duvet or blanket)
• Shutters or curtains in the bedrooms
• Hob, oven or microwave, refrigerator
• Crockery and kitchen utensils
• A table and chairs
• Storage furniture
• Lighting fixtures
• Household cleaning equipment

In the high-end segment, these criteria are far exceeded: designer furniture, premium fitted kitchen, refined décor. It is precisely this level of quality that can open the door to a civil code lease.

What is an unfurnished rental?

An unfurnished rental, also called a bare rental, is a property delivered without furniture. The tenant brings their own furniture and equipment. This is the most common arrangement for long-term settlements.

This type of rental is governed by the Act of 6 July 1989, which strictly regulates the rights and obligations of each party. In Paris, rent control applies in full.

Unfurnished rentals are better suited to people settling in long-term who wish to personalise their home. However, they involve a more substantial move both in and out.

The furnished lease: 1 year, renewable

The furnished lease is concluded for a minimum period of one year, renewable by tacit renewal. For students, a mobility lease of 1 to 10 months exists, but it does not renew automatically.

For an expat on assignment of 12 to 24 months, the furnished lease is often the most suitable solution. It offers a quick exit without having to wait for the end of a 3-year commitment.

Another advantage: the tenant does not need to worry about furnishing. They arrive with their luggage, and the property is immediately liveable. This is a considerable saving of time and energy when settling abroad.

The unfurnished lease: 3 years, a longer commitment

The unfurnished lease is concluded for a minimum period of 3 years when the landlord is an individual, and 6 years when it is a legal entity (company, SCI). This framework offers great stability to the tenant.

In return, this commitment is harder for the landlord to break. They can only give notice at the end of the lease, for sale, personal repossession or a legitimate and serious reason.

The mobility lease: an option worth knowing

The mobility lease is a form of short-term furnished lease (1 to 10 months), non-renewable. It is reserved for people in professional training, higher education, internships, temporary assignments or job transfers.

It does not require a security deposit, which makes it attractive. However, it cannot be renewed: at its end, the tenant must vacate the property or sign a new standard lease.

Notice period for furnished rentals: 1 month

In Paris, classified as a high-demand zone, the notice period to vacate a furnished property is 1 month. This is one of the major advantages of this type of lease for expats.

This short notice period is particularly valuable when an assignment ends earlier than expected, or when a professional opportunity requires a quick departure to another city or country.

The tenant must notify their departure by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, bailiff's deed or hand delivery against receipt. The notice period runs from the date of receipt.

Notice period for unfurnished rentals: also 1 month in Paris

Good news: in Paris, the notice period to vacate an unfurnished property is also 1 month, thanks to the high-demand zone status.

Please note, however: while the legal notice period is the same, the practical reality of leaving is very different. Vacating an unfurnished property means organising a full move, including transporting and storing furniture.

For an expat returning abroad, this logistics can prove burdensome and costly. This is one of the often-underestimated arguments in favour of furnished rentals.

The landlord's notice period: strict rules

The landlord, for their part, cannot give notice at any time. For a furnished lease, they must give 3 months' notice before the annual expiry. For an unfurnished lease, this notice period is 6 months before the triennial expiry.

The legal grounds for notice are limited: repossession of the property to live in it, sale of the property, or a legitimate and serious reason (unpaid rent, neighbourhood disturbances). This protection is identical in both types of lease.

A tastefully furnished property: the condition for access

This is where one of the most important subtleties of the high-end Parisian rental market lies. An apartment furnished with care, decorated with taste and equipped to a premium standard, can qualify as an exceptional property.

And it is precisely this status that allows the landlord to offer a civil code lease, governed by articles 1713 to 1778 of the Civil Code, rather than a lease subject to the 1989 Act. And the civil code lease changes everything.

The fundamental difference: the rent is freely set, with no cap. In Paris, where rent control limits rents on standard leases, this is a considerable advantage for owners of exceptional properties.

Civil code lease: total contractual freedom

In the framework of a civil code lease, both parties freely negotiate the terms of the contract: duration, rent, notice period, security deposit. There is no minimum duration imposed by law.

This regime applies only to properties that do not constitute the tenant's primary residence: secondary residence, company accommodation, pied-à-terre. This is the case for many expats whose tax domicile remains abroad.

• Free rent: with no legal cap, large Parisian apartments rent for between €5,000 and €30,000/month under this regime.
• Tailored duration: from a few months to 9 years, freely negotiated between the parties.
• Contractual notice: set in the lease, typically 1 to 3 months depending on the negotiated terms.
• Free security deposit: generally 2 to 3 months' rent in the luxury segment.

The relevant arrondissements

The civil code lease market is concentrated in the most prestigious neighbourhoods of Paris. The properties concerned are mainly Haussmann apartments, private mansions and penthouses.

• 7th arrondissement (Saint-Germain, Invalides): highly sought after by diplomats and international families.
• 8th arrondissement (Golden Triangle, Champs-Élysées): the heart of Parisian luxury, high demand from senior executives.
• 16th arrondissement (Passy, Trocadéro): upscale family neighbourhood, highly sought after by expats with children.
• 6th arrondissement (Saint-Germain-des-Prés): highly regarded for prestigious pieds-à-terre.

Financial criteria

The rent for a furnished property is generally 10 to 20% higher than that of an equivalent unfurnished property. This difference is explained by the depreciation of the furniture and equipment provided by the landlord.

But this comparison must factor in the total cost of settling in. For an expat arriving without furniture, buying or renting furniture represents a significant investment, often underestimated.

• Furnished: higher rent, but no furnishing costs. Charges often higher (included or not).
• Unfurnished: lower rent, but furnishing costs to budget for (between €5,000 and €20,000 depending on the standard).
• Security deposit: 1 month for unfurnished, 2 months for furnished (excluding civil code leases).

Practical criteria

Beyond the figures, the choice between furnished and unfurnished depends on your personal and professional situation. Here are the questions to ask yourself:

• What is the planned duration of your assignment? (less than 2 years: furnished; more than 3 years: unfurnished)
• Do you already have furniture in Paris or in France?
• Does your employer cover relocation and furnishing costs?
• Do you need flexibility to leave quickly?
• Do you wish to personalise your home?

Summary table

Here is a summary of the main differences between the two regimes:

• Minimum duration: 1 year (furnished) / 3 years (unfurnished)
• Tenant notice period in Paris: 1 month (furnished) / 1 month (unfurnished)
• Rent: 10 to 20% higher for furnished
• Security deposit: 2 months (furnished) / 1 month (unfurnished)
• Rent control: Applicable in both cases (except civil code leases)
• Tenant taxation: No significant difference
• Ideal for: Expats on assignment (furnished) / Long-term settlement (unfurnished)

Our recommendations by profile

• Short assignment (6 to 18 months): standard furnished lease or mobility lease. Opt for a turnkey property in a central arrondissement.
• Medium assignment (18 months to 3 years): furnished lease with renewal option. Negotiate an early exit clause if possible.
• Long-term settlement (3 years and over): unfurnished lease or civil code lease depending on your tax status. Plan for furnishing from the outset.
• Company accommodation: civil code lease in your company's name. Total freedom on rent and conditions.