The Action Logement loan, often called the "1% logement," allows employees of private-sector companies in France, in 2027 to borrow up to €30,000 at a fixed rate of 1% (excluding insurance), over a maximum of 25 years, to finance the purchase of their main residence. To qualify, you must work for a non-agricultural private-sector company with at least 10 employees, meet income ceilings and buy your main residence as a first-time buyer, according to Action Logement's criteria. The loan finances the purchase of a new home, a construction project or the purchase of social housing put up for sale. While a conventional loan cost around 3.5% over 20 years at the end of 2026, this boost can save you several thousand euros. Here is everything you need to know..
In brief
- Amount: up to €30,000, within the limit of the available funding and the regulations in force.
- Rate: 1% fixed excluding insurance, over a freely chosen term of up to 25 years.
- Beneficiaries: employees of non-agricultural private companies with at least 10 employees, subject to income ceilings.
- Projects: purchase of a new home, construction, purchase of an HLM (social housing) unit put up for sale.
- Can be combined with the zero-interest loan (prêt à taux zéro) and a conventional bank loan.
What exactly is the Action Logement loan?
Behind this name lies a long-standing scheme, funded by employers' contribution to the construction effort (participation des employeurs à l'effort de construction). In practice, companies pay a contribution, and their employees can benefit from it in the form of advantageous loans.
A complementary loan, not a primary loan
With a ceiling of €30,000, the Action Logement loan does not finance your entire purchase. It supplements your main bank loan and, where applicable, your zero-interest loan (prêt à taux zéro). Its benefit: reducing the average cost of your financing and your overall monthly payment.
A rate far below the market
At a fixed 1%, it costs about 2.5 points less than a conventional loan in November 2026, when the average rate reaches 3.51% over 20 years and 3.59% over 25 years. The gap is all the more attractive because rates could rise further in early 2027.
An aid designed for employees
This loan is intended for employees, not for self-employed people or civil servants. Employees in the agricultural sector have access to a separate scheme, the Agri-Accession loan, capped at €25,000.
Who can benefit from it in 2027?
The conditions are specific. Take a few minutes to check your eligibility before building your financing plan.
Be an employee of an eligible company
You must work for a non-agricultural private-sector company employing at least 10 employees, one that contributes to the employers' contribution to the construction effort. Your HR department can confirm this in a single conversation.
Be a first-time buyer
The loan is reserved for the purchase of a main residence by people becoming homeowners, according to the criteria defined by Action Logement. If you already own your main residence, it is in principle not available to you.
Meet income ceilings
Your income must not exceed certain ceilings, which depend on the geographic zone of the property and the composition of your household. They are published by Action Logement and are generally higher than those for conventional social housing.
Repay any previous Action Logement loans
If you have already benefited from an Action Logement loan linked to a previous main residence (or from a Loca-Pass advance), you must in principle repay it before taking out a new loan.
Which properties can be financed with this loan?
This is a point that is often poorly understood: the Action Logement loan does not finance just any purchase.
New builds and construction
The purchase of a new home, whether off-plan (VEFA, vente en l'état futur d'achèvement) or completed, and the construction of a detached house are the most common cases. The loan can be combined with the PTZ, which also finances new builds throughout the country.
Social housing units put up for sale
Buying a HLM (social housing) unit sold by a social landlord is also eligible. It is an attractive option for buying a home at a price that is often below the market price, particularly if you are a tenant in the social housing stock.
Assisted home-ownership schemes
Specific rules may apply to operations under a bail réel solidaire (BRS, a solidarity-based real-rights lease) or a location-accession scheme (PSLA). Contact Action Logement about your specific project.
What about a standard existing home?
Buying an existing home on the open market is not the primary case targeted by the accession loan. Check the conditions in force at the time of your application, as they may change.
How much does the Action Logement loan save you? Worked examples
Let's look at the figures, calculated using average rates for November 2026, excluding insurance.
€30,000 borrowed | Monthly payment at 1% | Monthly payment at the market rate | Interest savings |
|---|---|---|---|
Over 20 years | approximately €138 | approximately €174 (3.51%) | approximately €8,600 |
Over 25 years | approximately €113 | approximately €152 (3.59%) | approximately €11,700 |
A direct boost to your borrowing capacity
With a lower monthly payment, your debt-to-income ratio decreases. For the same monthly payment, the Action Logement loan therefore allows you to finance a slightly more expensive property or to keep more margin in your budget.
Example of a complete financing plan
Camille and Hugo, employees of a company with 50 staff, are buying a new apartment for €260,000 in zone B1. Their plan: a €20,000 down payment, a PTZ (interest-free loan) based on their income, a €30,000 Action Logement loan at 1%, and a bank loan for the balance. Their overall monthly payment is significantly lower than that of a 100% bank-financed purchase.
How do you apply, step by step?
The process is carried out online and is coordinated with your bank loan application.
1. Check your eligibility
The Action Logement simulator tells you within a few minutes whether you can qualify for the loan and for what amount. The detailed conditions are set out on the official Action Logement accession loan page.
2. Put your file together
Tax assessment notice, payslips, employer certificate, preliminary sales agreement (compromis) or reservation contract, financing plan: prepare these documents in advance.
3. Coordinate with your bank
Inform your bank or broker from the outset: the Action Logement loan must appear in the overall financing plan and in the loan condition precedent of the compromis (preliminary sales agreement).
4. Plan for processing times
Processing may take several weeks. Submit your application as soon as the compromis is signed so as not to delay your purchase. As the funding envelope is limited, it is best not to wait.
Action Logement loan, PTZ, bank loan: how do you combine them effectively?
The secret of a good financing plan is the intelligent stacking of loans.
The PTZ first
The prêt à taux zéro (PTZ, zero-interest loan), which carries no interest and often comes with a repayment deferral, is the most advantageous. It finances 20 to 50% of the cost of the operation depending on your income, subject to ceilings. Its rules are set out on the PTZ page of Service-Public.fr.
The Action Logement loan next
At 1%, it reduces the share of the bank loan, which is more costly.
The bank loan for the balance
This is the loan that bears the market rate. The larger the share of the project covered by assisted loans, the lower the overall cost.
Don't forget insurance
Each loan requires borrower insurance. Compare offers: choosing an external insurer (délégation d'assurance) can significantly reduce the total cost.
And after signing? What you need to know about life with the loan
Once the loan has been granted, a few practical rules are worth knowing to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Early repayment
You can repay the Action Logement loan early, for example if you resell your home. Since its rate is very low, it often makes more sense to repay the most expensive loans first, unless the loan terms require repayment in the event of a sale.
Reselling or renting out the property
The financed property must be your main residence. In the event of a sale, a rental or a change of use, the outstanding principal generally becomes due. Read the loan offer carefully to find out the exact conditions.
A change in your family situation
Separation, birth of a child, job relocation: in the event of a significant change, contact Action Logement to find out about the options. Once granted, the loan is not tied to your remaining with your employer.
Action Logement's other services
Beyond the home purchase loan, Action Logement offers mobility assistance, rental guarantees such as Visale, and support for certain employees in difficulty. A visit to their website lets you review the aid that could support your project.
Finding the property that fits your financing
Once you know your budget, the search becomes much more efficient.
Targeting eligible properties
New-build programmes, building plots for a construction project, social housing units put up for sale: focus on properties compatible with your loan. The property listings for sale on Optimhome let you filter by property type, budget and location.
Are you a social housing tenant?
Ask your landlord: your home, or a home in the same building complex, may be up for sale, with priority given to existing tenants.
Viewing properties with a precise budget
Before each viewing, check that the price, the notary fees (reduced for new builds, at around 2 to 3%) and any additional costs fit within your financing plan. You will avoid disappointment and be able to make an offer quickly when the right property comes along.
Mistakes to avoid with the Action Logement loan
Even with an advantageous scheme, a few missteps can delay or jeopardise your financing.
Discovering the loan too late
Many buyers think about the Action Logement loan after signing their compromis de vente, with a condition precedent that does not mention it. The result: a financing plan to redo and longer delays. Include it from your very first simulations.
Overlooking income ceilings
The income taken into account is that shown on your reference tax assessment notice, not your current income. A recent increase therefore does not necessarily penalise you, but a recent drop does not help you either. Check your situation precisely with the simulator.
Aiming for an ineligible property
Falling in love with an older house on the open market, then discovering that the home purchase loan does not finance it: this is a common disappointment. Find out before you visit.
Neglecting the overall cost
A 1% rate is very attractive, but borrower insurance and guarantee fees are added on top. Always look at the TAEG (annual percentage rate of charge) of all your loans together to compare scenarios.
Not thinking about selling your current home
If you are a tenant, this point does not apply to you. But if a relative who already owns property is considering selling to help you fund your down payment, tell them about Optimhome's free online property valuation: it will let them quickly find out the value of their property before making a decision.
The practical tip
- Ask your HR department whether your company contributes to Action Logement: this is the first condition.
- Run the simulation on the Action Logement website before your appointment with the bank.
- Include the Action Logement loan in the loan condition precedent of your compromis.
- Submit your application as soon as the compromis is signed: the funding envelope is limited.
- Compare the insurance on each loan: insurance delegation may apply to all of them.
The expert's advice
"The Action Logement loan is one of those forms of assistance that many employees are unaware of or discover too late. Yet €30,000 at 1% in a financing plan is sometimes what brings an application under the 35% debt-to-income threshold. My advice: before you even start viewing properties, review all the assistance you are entitled to, PTZ, Action Logement, local schemes. You will know your real budget, and you will be able to target eligible properties, particularly new-build homes or social housing units put up for sale. A well-structured financing plan is also a strong argument with the seller when making an offer."
Getting support for your first purchase
A first purchase raises many questions: which neighbourhood, which type of property, and what is your real budget once assistance is taken into account? A professional on the ground saves you valuable time.
To be guided step by step, meet an Optimhome real estate advisor in your area: they know the programmes, the actual prices and the properties that fit your financing plan.
Conclusion
In 2027, the Action Logement loan remains one of the best boosts for employees buying their first home: up to €30,000 at 1%, which can be combined with the PTZ and a bank loan. Check your eligibility with your employer, run the simulation, and submit your application as soon as the compromis is signed. In a context of rising interest rates, every percentage point saved counts. And remember: a well-prepared financing plan also lets you negotiate the price of your future home with greater peace of mind.
Do you know someone who wants to sell their home? Recommend them and be rewarded by becoming an Optimhome business referrer.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum amount of the Action Logement loan in 2027?
Up to €30,000, within the limit of the available funding envelope and the rules in force at the time of the application.
What is the interest rate of the Action Logement loan?
A fixed rate of 1% excluding insurance, over a term of up to 25 years.
Can civil servants benefit from it?
No, the home-purchase loan is reserved for employees of private-sector companies that contribute to Action Logement. Civil servants have access to other forms of assistance, notably through their administrations.
Can the Action Logement loan be combined with the PTZ?
Yes, both loans can be combined with a main bank loan.
Does the Action Logement loan finance older properties?
It mainly targets new-build homes, construction and the purchase of social housing units put up for sale. Check the conditions in force for a project involving an older property.
Do you need to have worked at the company for a long time?
No minimum length of service is specified, but you must be an employee of an eligible company at the time of the application.
What happens if I change employers?
The loan that has been granted continues to run normally; once signed, it is not tied to your remaining with the company.
Is the Action Logement loan subject to the 35% debt-to-income ratio?
Yes, its monthly payment is added to your other loans in the bank's calculation. But because it is lower than a conventional loan, it improves your overall debt-to-income ratio.
Is the loan granted to each co-borrower?
Each eligible employee can in principle submit their own application under the rules in force. Ask Action Logement if you are two employees of contributing companies.
How do I apply?
Online, on the Action Logement website, after checking your eligibility with the simulator.
Author of the publication
Fabrice DOBROWOLSKI, Director of the Optimhome network
«Benefit from myexpert advice, based on many years of experience in real estate, to ensure the success of your buying or selling project. »
