Credit mortgage: what are the consequences of an expansion of the zero-interest loan across the entire territory ?

The zero-interest loan (PTZ) is at the heart of many discussions in 2025, as a major reform possibly approaches: its extension across the entire French territory. This development would represent a significant upheaval for buyers and players in the real estate market. Primarily aimed at first-time buyers, the PTZ allows financing a portion of their main residence without interest, thereby promoting homeownership. However, until now, this scheme has been strictly reserved for certain geographical areas known as “tight” zones where the real estate market faces strong pressure. The proposal currently under discussion aims to lift this territorial restriction, making the PTZ accessible nationwide, including rural areas and medium-sized cities. Could this measure, motivated by the need to revive the construction of new housing, especially detached houses, bring changes to your real estate project? Its adoption will likely have financial and social impacts that need to be assessed. So, how would this change influence the dynamics of credit access and real estate development across France? What concrete benefits would it bring to future homeowners and real estate agencies such as Bouygues Immobilier? Lastly, how will banking institutions like Crédit Agricole, BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Mutuel, or LCL adjust their mortgage offers in response to this major development? The detailed eight-part analysis provided will help you better understand the stakes, modalities, and consequences of such an expansion for everyone.

What is the zero-interest loan (PTZ) and its current conditions in 2025

The zero-interest loan (PTZ) is a financial scheme established to facilitate homeownership for households wishing to buy their first primary residence. In 2025, its operation is based on specific criteria that regulate its granting. Indeed, the PTZ does not finance the entire real estate operation but offers a significant part of the loan interest-free, which considerably reduces the total cost.

This loan mainly targets first-time buyers, meaning those who have never owned their primary residence. It allows them to become homeowners more quickly by reducing borrowing costs thanks to the lack of interest.

Since April 2024, the PTZ has been predominantly reserved for new builds in tight zones, where demand far exceeds supply. These tight zones include over 1800 municipalities, typically large metropolitan areas and their suburbs. For old housing, the PTZ can be granted if significant renovation work is undertaken, but only in relaxed zones (zones B2 and C).

Conditions imposed for granting the PTZ in 2025:

• 🚩 Be a first-time buyer or purchase after separation without owning the property for at least two years.
• 🏠 Buy a new home in a collective building only in zones A, Abis, and B1 (tight zones).
• 🛠️ Acquire an old property requiring renovation in zones B2 and C only.
• 🔢 Comply with household income caps that vary depending on the geographic zone.
• 💰 The portion financed by the PTZ varies from 20% to 50% of the total cost depending on the zone and income.

These specific conditions restrict access to the PTZ in certain territories. This explains why its expansion is highly anticipated, especially by those wishing to build a detached house in less dense areas.

Criteria	Current conditions (2025)	Concerned zones
Type of housing	New housing in collective housing or old properties with renovations	Zones A, Abis, B1 (new), B2, C (old with renovations)
Income caps	Income caps adapted to household size and zone	Variable by zone
PTZ portion	From 20% to 50% of total cost	According to zone and income

For more practical information on the procedures and your eligibility, consult this detailed file on the PTZ and tax households.

The challenges of territorial confinement of the PTZ before 2025

Since the PTZ is confined to the so-called tight zones, its effects are limited to urban strongholds where the real estate market shows particular dynamics. This restriction concentrates public efforts on fragile housing territories. However, it also creates several issues that must be understood to grasp the importance of its expansion.

Firstly, this confinement can exacerbate territorial inequalities. In rural municipalities or medium-sized towns outside tight zones, access to the PTZ is not possible to support real estate projects, limiting investment potential and construction in these areas. This hampers local supply and could even encourage young households to move to metropolitan areas.

Secondly, the new housing market in rural or intermediate zones is penalized, while it faces intense pressure in metropolitan areas. Consequently, there are:

• 🔍 Fewer new homes built outside tight zones
• 📉 A slowdown in detached house construction, highly sought after in rural areas
• 🏙️ Very high real estate prices in tight zones, making access difficult for many households

Moreover, sector professionals, such as Bouygues Immobilier, observe that the geographical limitation of the PTZ affects the diversity of projects offered to first-time buyers. These buyers may find it difficult to find affordable options in their area of residence.

Lastly, the current confinement causes a displacement effect, discouraging potential buyers, especially those targeting a detached house, considered many people’s ideal dwelling. It is therefore necessary to revisit these conditions to promote balanced development across the entire territory.

Impacts of geographic confinement of the PTZ	Consequences
Territorial inequalities	Hindrance to access to new housing outside tight zones
Construction dynamics	Slowdown in rural and intermediate zones
Financial accessibility	High prices in tight zones limiting access for first-time buyers

For those wishing to purchase an apartment or house through a mortgage, additional information is available at the choice between new and old.

The recent announcements and political positions on expanding the PTZ

The issue of expanding the zero-interest loan across the entire territory has gained intense media attention with recent statements from the Prime Minister and the supportive stance of Michel Barnier, former European Commissioner. These announcements provide new momentum for the housing market in France.

In his general policy speech, the Prime Minister explicitly called for quick measures to revive both rental investment and homeownership. Among these, the extension of the PTZ to all territories is prominently included, particularly as part of a public policy supporting first-time buyers.

Michel Barnier expressed his support for this measure, believing it would help renew vitality in real estate projects in medium and rural areas, where zero-interest financing could boost new housing construction. This position reflects a political consensus on the need for better territorial balance in mortgage credit.

The legislative schedule remains tight. The opportunity to expand the PTZ will be specified in the 2025 finance law, to be presented during the week of October 9 and debated in the National Assembly from October 21. This timing offers little room for adjustments, but housing professionals and banks are already preparing for these possibilities.

It is important to note that this measure will have public finance consequences, as the budgetary cost of this expansion will need to be financed by the State.

• 🗓️ Parliamentary debate in October 2025 on the finance law
• 💬 Political support for extending the PTZ beyond tight zones
• 📊 Economic analysis of the impact on public funding

Banks such as Crédit Agricole, BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Caisse d’Épargne, LCL, and Crédit Mutuel, which are key players in mortgage lending in the country, will also need to adapt their commercial strategies to combine PTZ and traditional loans.

What impacts on the new construction market and first-time buyers?

The expansion of the PTZ across the entire territory will have significant repercussions on the construction market, especially on the new housing segment. It is particularly first-time buyers who could benefit directly, with greater access to interest-free credit, stimulating their purchasing or building projects.

Currently, the construction of detached houses is at its lowest in over twenty years. This trend reflects a lack of incentives for households to engage in this route, combined with a limited supply and constrained financing. By extending the PTZ, it will be possible to support independent construction even in rural or peri-urban areas, where demand remains strong.

This context opens new prospects:

• 🏘️ Increase in new construction projects in rural and peri-urban areas
• 💼 Boost to the construction sector, with positive impacts on local employment
• 🎯 Greater diversity in the affordable property options for first-time buyers

Furthermore, real estate developers and builders like Bouygues Immobilier see this measure as support for their development, as it will allow them to expand their potential market beyond traditional urban centers.

For first-time buyers, easier access to the PTZ can reduce reliance on other forms of credit, including traditional loans offered by major banks. This point directly influences financial institutions’ dynamics.

Consequences for the market	Expected effects
New construction	Revival of detached house construction outside tight zones
First-time buyers	Increase in projects due to more accessible financing
Employment in the construction sector	Creation of local jobs and stimulation of building SMEs

Advice for successfully managing your real estate project with PTZ and other banking offers are available at our dedicated mortgage guide.

What adaptations for banks and mortgage intermediaries?

The extension of the zero-interest loan scheme across the entire territory presents a significant organizational and commercial challenge for banks and mortgage intermediaries like Empruntis or Meilleurtaux. They must anticipate impacts on their product portfolios while providing the best support for clients.

Financial institutions will need to adjust their credit products to account for the zero-interest portion. Indeed, the PTZ never covers the entire purchase, remaining a supplementary loan alongside other traditional loans. This coexistence requires good coordination to prevent over-indebtedness.

Here are some specific consequences for banks:

• 📋 Redesign of borrowing capacity calculations to incorporate the PTZ portion
• 🔄 Adaptation of online simulators for calculating mixed PTZ and traditional loan offers
• 🤝 Strengthening the role of credit intermediaries to guide borrowers

To assist in these processes, platforms like Empruntis or Meilleurtaux offer comprehensive comparison tools, ideal for clarifying your banking choices. Combating over-indebtedness also involves personalized support during loan application procedures.

Major banks such as Crédit Agricole, BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Caisse d’Épargne, LCL, and Crédit Mutuel will also need to rethink their offers, considering new attribution rules and resource caps to stay competitive.

Financial actors	Actions to consider
Traditional banks	Revision of mortgage loan offers incorporating the expanded PTZ
Intermediaries (Empruntis, Meilleurtaux)	Enhanced support and tailored tools for first-time buyers
Borrower clients	Need for clear understanding of PTZ procedures

Expected social impacts of expanding the PTZ across the territory

One of the main objectives of expanding the zero-interest loan is to promote equal access to housing, primarily for first-time buyers. By opening this scheme across the entire territory, the government aims to reduce certain persistent socio-territorial divides.

The anticipated benefits include:

• 🌍 Easier access to housing in rural and peripheral zones
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 An increase in the number of households gaining ownership
• 🏡 A better demographic dynamic through the revival of local new construction
• 🏘️ A balance between urban and rural zones

However, some actors like the Fondation Abbé-Pierre recall that in the fight against substandard housing, this measure remains limited. It does not directly address the needs of the most disadvantaged or poorly housed, who require specific policies.

In any case, the expansion should improve development prospects for small towns and rural areas, broadly stimulating the local economy through the construction value chain, from bank loans to home insurance and materials purchase.

Additional support from the National Housing Agency could also assist renovations in old housing stock, complementing the PTZ scheme to ensure access to decent and sustainable housing.

What consequences for current and future buyers?

For households engaged in a real estate project, expanding the PTZ represents a significant opportunity. It changes the game for those who, until now, could not benefit from this assistance at their place of residence or project.

Specifically, future buyers would benefit from:

• 📈 Increased purchasing power thanks to partial interest-free financing
• 🏠 Simpler process for completing a mortgage application with several banks, including Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas
• 🔄 Better access to detached houses, especially in rural zones
• 🔍 A wider range of affordable properties combining new and old homes thanks to the PTZ

It is important, however, to monitor the precise conditions that will be defined in the upcoming law to determine the exact portion of the PTZ in non-tight zones. This definition will determine the total accessible financing through this scheme.

Current owners might also feel an indirect impact through a potential increase in construction activity and local housing prices. The more frequent appearance of interest-free financing options could also prompt other banks to align with these measures, increasing competition.

What advice for properly using the zero-interest loan in 2025?

To successfully manage your real estate project with the PTZ, it is essential to follow several practical recommendations. The PTZ complements a traditional loan and requires a thorough understanding of its rules.

Here are the main tips to consider:

• 📚 Ensure you are truly a first-time buyer, as this is a mandatory condition for benefiting from the PTZ
• 🗺️ Check the zone where the property is located to anticipate PTZ eligibility
• 🔢 Estimate the applicable PTZ portion based on income caps and zone
• 🏦 Compare mortgage offers with and without PTZ from banks like LCL, Société Générale, or Crédit Mutuel
• 🛡️ Consider complementing with good home insurance, especially to maximize habitat protection, a process you can deepen in this dedicated article
• 📆 Prepare for the final loan signing, taking into account administrative delays and grant conditions, following the recommended procedure

Switching to a loan including PTZ also requires negotiating the best overall conditions with your bank. Do not hesitate to seek advice from a broker or intermediary platform.

Finally, staying informed about regulatory changes and real estate market news is crucial to properly prepare your project. Keep up to date to anticipate the effects of expanding the PTZ once it is officially deployed.

FAQs on expanding the zero-interest loan (PTZ) in 2025

• Which zones will be affected by PTZ expansion?
  The PTZ will be extended to all municipalities, including rural and non-tight urban areas, thereby expanding its scope beyond zones A, Abis, B1.
• Who can benefit from the zero-interest loan?
  Mainly first-time buyers, that is, those purchasing their first primary residence. Income conditions still apply.
• What part of the real estate project can PTZ finance?
  The portion varies from 20% to 50% depending on location and income level. For non-tight zones, this portion remains to be precisely defined in the finance law.
• Can PTZ finance an old property without renovation?
  No, assistance is limited to the purchase of new or old properties that require significant work.
• How to combine PTZ with other bank loans?
  PTZ acts as a supplement to a traditional loan taken out with a bank such as Crédit Agricole, BNP Paribas, or Société Générale. You can use online simulators to evaluate the best combination.