The Zero Rate Loan (PTZ) allows first-time buyers to finance up to 50% of their property purchase without paying interest. It necessarily complements a traditional real estate loan. “If I buy an apartment for 400,000 euros and I obtain 100,000 euros from PTZ, I will only pay interest on the remaining 300,000 euros,” illustrates Kevin Cohen, real estate loan broker.
As a reminder, to benefit from the PTZ in 2026, you must not have owned your main residence over the last two years, with some exceptions. The resource ceilings vary according to the geographical area and the composition of the household. The income retained corresponds to the reference tax income of year N-2: for a request filed in 2026, these are therefore the 2024 income appearing on the 2025 tax notice.
Individual houses, old… What housing is eligible?
New individual houses are once again eligible for PTZ throughout France. This measure, which came into force on April 1, 2025, applies until December 31, 2027. Like new apartments, they can thus be partly financed by a PTZ. In the former, the system remains reserved for housing located in zones B2 and C requiring work representing at least 25% of the total cost of the operation.
For Kevin Cohen, this development remains unknown. “Nearly 29 million households in France are eligible for PTZ. Many people think that you must never have been an owner, when it is enough to not have owned your main residence in the last two years. »
How much can you get?
The amount depends on income, geographical areathe type of accommodation and the composition of the hearth. The quota varies from 10% to 50% of the cost of the operation. The most modest households purchasing a new apartment can benefit from a maximum share of 50%, compared to 30% for a new individual house.
The cost retained is also capped, from 100,000 euros for a single person in zone C to 360,000 euros for a household of at least five people in zone A. Beyond that, the surplus is financed by a traditional property loan or a personal contribution. “The amount depends on a whole bunch of criteria: the composition of the household, the reference tax income, the place of acquisition, the type of property or even the overall cost of the operation,” recalls Kevin Cohen.
The composition of the household also influences the amount. “If a woman is pregnant and she has a certified certificate of pregnancy, the child is already counted as an additional share in the calculation of the zero-rate loan,” specifies the broker.
The Real Solidarity Lease, the real novelty of 2026
Several developments were proposed during the parliamentary debates on the finance bill for 2026notably a revaluation of resource ceilings and operating costs. They were ultimately not accepted. “They wanted to revalue the ceilings, adjust operating costs and further open up the Real Solidarity Lease. Ultimately, only the opening to successive buyers of housing in BRS was adopted,” explains Kevin Cohen.
Purchasers of housing resold under a Real Solidarity Lease (BRS) can now benefit from the PTZ if they meet the other eligibility conditions. In BRSthe buyer owns the accommodation while the land belongs to a Solidarity Land Organization (OFS), which reduces the acquisition cost.
Mistakes that can cause you to miss out on PTZ
For Kevin Cohen, the first mistake is to carry out an incomplete simulation. “The amount depends on many criteria and a mistake can quickly be costly. You really need to have a simulation carried out by a professional. » He also recommends studying additional aid.
In addition to the PTZ, certain employees in the private sector can benefit from the Housing Action Loanwhile several banks offer commercial offers to improve their financing plan.
A lever for easier access to property
For Kevin Cohen, PTZ remains a major lever to access the property. “The PTZ helps unblock many situations because it allows you to borrow more. Buyers are today in a position of strength: promoters have more difficulty selling their programs, which opens up more possibilities for negotiation. »
For the broker, the first step consists of knowing precisely his borrowing capacity before even starting the visits. “A lot of people think they can’t buy when they are ultimately eligible for PTZ. The first thing to do is therefore to know precisely your borrowing capacity. » Checking your eligibility before starting your search can help you increase your borrowing capacity and significantly reduce the total cost of your real estate loan.
