Passing on your assets:
plan ahead to pass on better
“Passing on your assets is not just a matter of inheritance. It means giving those you love a more stable future.”
Passing on assets is a crucial subject for many property investors, but it is often neglected until the last minute. Yet planning how you will pass your properties on to your heirs can have major consequences, both for tax and for the long-term future of your assets. Real estate, as a tangible and lasting asset, is often at the heart of these concerns, and good planning of its transfer can lead to substantial savings while protecting your loved ones’ interests.
Update 2026 · updated October 2026
- Temporary program: up to €100,000 per donor can be passed on tax-free to finance the purchase of a primary residence, subject to conditions.
- The standard €100,000 allowance per parent and per child, renewable every 15 years, remains in force.
- Check with your notary: the conditions and deadlines for these programs change from one budget to the next.
So from the purchase of your first property, it is wise to think about passing it on. Transferring a property is not something you improvise. It must be carefully prepared, because the tax and legal consequences can be heavy if decisions are made too late or without proper guidance. As soon as you own a property or the start of a portfolio, it makes sense to think about your transfer strategy, even if it will only be implemented in ten, twenty or thirty years. At Horizons Immobilier, we help our clients build a long-term vision from the very first steps.
One of the key tools for passing on assets is the gift, particularly with split ownership. This strategy lets you transfer the bare ownership to your children while keeping the usufruct (and therefore the rental income). As a result, you stay in control while reducing the future taxable base. But it requires care: you need to study the value of the property, the transfer duties, and sometimes combine it with other solutions (life insurance, family SCI, will). This is where Horizons Immobilier’s expertise helps you anticipate every step with clarity and security.
Planning the transfer also means planning the future vision and strategy for your assets. Should you sell a property to reduce HOA fees? How can you integrate your heirs’ professional plans? What mediation mechanisms should be put in place to prevent disputes? By organizing awareness meetings with all potential beneficiaries, we make sure everyone understands the family project and supports the decisions taken. This human dimension is essential so that the transfer is experienced as a true sharing of values rather than a contentious inheritance.
Ultimately, a successful transfer relies on early preparation, multidisciplinary expertise and open dialogue between all parties. With Horizons Immobilier, you benefit from comprehensive support, from building the strategy to post-gift follow-up, so that your assets truly serve your family’s life plans.
About the author
Walid Fourhal Founder of Horizons Immobilier
Walid advises sellers, buyers and investors in Paris and Île-de-France, from the initial valuation through to closing at the notary’s office, in both French and English. He holds the French real estate license “Transactions sur immeubles et fonds de commerce” no. CPI 9201 2025 000 000 047, issued by the CCI Paris Île-de-France.
