Paris Real Estate 2026: New Housing Rules Under the New Mayor & What It Means for Investors

The results of the 2026 municipal elections in Paris are in: Emmanuel Grégoire has been elected Mayor of Paris.

A long-time figure in Parisian politics, Grégoire previously served as First Deputy Mayor under Anne Hidalgo, where he was closely involved in housing and urban development. A member of the Socialist Party (Parti Socialiste), he represents a left-leaning approach focused on regulation, social balance, and quality of life.

Naturally, one question is on every property owner and investor’s mind:
👉 With the new mayor in Paris, what does this actually change for my rental investment?

Good news: the direction is clear — and it may work in your favor.

New Paris Housing Policy 2026: Key Changes for Property Investors

The new administration follows a left-leaning, regulation-driven approach, largely in continuity with previous Paris housing policies, but with reinforced measures.

Key priorities include:

• Stricter regulation of short-term rentals (Airbnb, etc.), including a ban on new secondary residences used for short-term rental and the gradual elimination of full-time tourist rentals
• Strong enforcement of rent control to maintain affordability in the private rental market
• A clear priority for primary residences and long-term rentals aiming to bring more housing back to permanent residents
• Potential requisition of vacant properties, particularly those left empty for more than 5 years
• No direct challenge to Civil Code leases (at this stage), which remain a valid and flexible option for specific tenant profiles
• Improving livability in Paris through more green spaces, better mobility, and upgraded neighborhoods

👉 The result: a more regulated, but also more structured and predictable rental market.

Why the New Paris Housing Policy Is Good News for Landlords

At this point, many owners and investors might be thinking:
“More regulation… is this going to hurt my investment in Paris?”

It’s a fair concern. But in reality, these changes are less negative than they seem — and can even work in your favor.

Civil Code Leases in Paris: A Key Advantage for Investors

If you rent to specific tenant profiles (expats, companies, embassies) under a Code civil lease:

👉 You are not subject to rent control in Paris.

This type of lease offers:

• flexibility on rent pricing
• adaptable lease duration
• negotiable rental deposit, lease terms, etc.

In other words, one of the most attractive rental strategies in Paris remains untouched.

Paris Rental Market Shift: Why Less Airbnb Means More Demand for Long-Term Rentals

With tighter restrictions on short-term rentals in Paris, the market is undergoing a structural shift — one that clearly benefits long-term landlords.

👉 International and corporate tenants are increasingly moving toward stable, long-term housing solutions.

Who Is Targeted by New Airbnb Regulations in Paris?

It’s important to clarify one key point: these measures are not aimed at long-term rental owners.

The new administration is clearly targeting large-scale and non-compliant short-term rental activity, including:

• Professional investors and multi-property owners
  operating multiple units as year-round tourist rentals
• Illegal furnished tourist rentals (“meublés touristiques”)
  that are not properly registered or do not comply with zoning and change-of-use rules
• Non-compliant Airbnb listings and similar platforms
  exceeding legal limits or failing to meet regulatory requirements

👉 These short-term rental operators are now facing stronger enforcement, higher fines, and tighter platform controls.

New Airbnb Rules in Paris 2026: What Is Changing for Landlords?

The policy direction is very clear and specifically targets short-term use:

• Only primary residences can be rented on short-term platforms
• A maximum of 90 days per year for short-term rental
• No new secondary residences allowed for Airbnb-type use
• A ban on full-time short-term rental units operating like hotels

👉 In short: short-term rental is being limited to occasional use — not a scalable investment strategy. If your current investment strategy is heavily based on Airbnb or short-term rentals, now is the time to anticipate a Plan B.

Impact on the Paris Rental Market: Shift Toward Long-Term Housing

As a result, long-term rentals — especially Civil Code leases — are becoming increasingly attractive.

In the past:

• many international tenants (expats, corporate, and institutional employees) relied on Airbnb
• even for stays of several months, mainly for convenience

Today:

• these options are becoming more limited
• tenants are naturally shifting toward long-term, more stable rental solutions

👉 This is driving stronger demand for long-term rentals, particularly under Civil Code leases.

Improving Quality of Life in Paris: A More Livable, Attractive City

Beyond housing regulations, Emmanuel Grégoire’s biggest vision is to focus on making Paris a more enjoyable city to live in — which directly supports long-term rental demand and attracts international tenants and companies.

Upcoming urban developments aim to improve quality of life:

• More green spaces, parks, and playgrounds
• Wider sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly streets
• Cleaner streets and better urban maintenance
• Development of 24/7 metro lines for easier transportation
• A “100% bike-friendly Paris”
• 100% organic school meals and snacks using local produce

• A more inclusive and welcoming city: policies promoting equality and anti-discrimination, actively support LGBTQIA+ communities and associations (doubling municipal funding for LGBTQIA+ associations)

👉 The goal: make Paris more enjoyable without losing its identity.

And that’s exactly what expats are looking for — a balance between lifestyle and Parisian charm.

Should You Be Concerned About “Secondary Residence” Leases: What the French Government Actually Says (2026)

This has been a common concern since the election.

“Will the City of Paris challenge or restrict so-called ‘secondary residence’ leases?”

This concern stems from a position Grégoire raised in 2025, when he asked the French government to assess the use of these leases in Paris and their potential impact on rent control.

👉 The answer is simple: no.

According to the official response from the French government (February 2026):

• Civil Code leases remain fully legal
• There is no official legal category called “secondary residence lease” — these contracts fall under standard Civil Code leases
• There is no reliable data to assess or challenge their usage

👉 In practice, this means the government cannot precisely measure the scale of these leases or systematically control them.

The Only Key Factor: Actual Occupancy

Everything ultimately depends on how the property is occupied:

• If the tenant occupies the property less than 8 months per year
  → Civil Code lease is valid
• If the tenant occupies the property 8 months or more per year
  → It is considered a primary residence

👉 Important: Only a judge has the authority to reclassify a lease — not the city or administration.

• The City of Paris cannot unilaterally change or requalify your rental contract
• The administration, including the City of Paris, does not have the power to enforce this without judicial review

Is Paris Still a Good Real Estate Investment in 2026?

Paris remains one of the most attractive cities in the world for real estate investment — and this new Paris administration reinforces that position.

For owners and investors focused on long-term rentals in Paris:

👉 there is no reason to worry — only opportunities to adapt and benefit from a more structured market.

Looking to rent under a Civil Code lease and maximize your returns?

Contact Paris Rental to optimize your rental strategy and secure reliable, long-term tenants.

Editor: Siyi CHEN