French property inheritance law can significantly impact your purchase, especially in how the property will be distributed upon your death. France has strict rules regarding forced heirship, meaning a portion of your estate (including real estate in France) is reserved by law for certain heirs, typically your children. This can limit your ability to freely bequeath property to anyone you choose, unlike in many common law countries where you can often leave your estate to anyone through a will.
For non-residents, this might present complications, especially if it conflicts with the inheritance laws of their home country. However, the EU Succession Regulation, which came into effect in August 2015, allows non-residents in France to opt for the inheritance law of their nationality to apply to their estate in France, rather than French law. This choice must be explicitly made in a will or similar document. It's crucial for property buyers in France to consider these inheritance law implications and seek legal advice to ensure their estate is distributed according to their wishes.