Squatting has quietly become a recurring headache for homeowners in France, straddling legal grey areas and long administrative procedures. Behind the headlines, another actor is starting to matter just as much as the police or the courts: home insurers, some of whom now agree to pay the often hefty cost of getting squatters out.
Squatting in France, a problem that’s bigger than the statistics
French authorities struggle to measure the scale of squatting, because incidents are scattered across regions and handled by different services. Local data often stays local, and national figures stay patchy.
One indicator reveals the pressure building behind the scenes. In 2024, French association CNL59 reported around 52,000 consultations with notaries, police and insurers linked either to squats or unpaid rent. These are not always formal complaints, but they show how many owners are worried enough to seek advice.
Evictions for all reasons combined have also risen sharply. There were roughly 12,000 in 2021, compared with 8,156 in 2020. Cases involving pure squatting are still a minority, but they are accelerating: from September 2023 to May 2024, 432 eviction procedures specifically targeting squatters were recorded, around three times more than in 2022.
Behind each number is a property that could not be used, a sale that stalled or a rental plan that fell apart.
These situations can involve small studio flats, family homes or second homes that remain empty much of the year. For some owners it is a financial blow; for others it is an emotional shock.
Why getting rid of squatters is so complicated
For property owners, the hardest part often starts once the squat is discovered. Procedures differ depending on whether you are dealing with a fraudulent tenant, a fake buyer or people who simply broke in.
Different faces of squatting
French professionals report several recurring scenarios:
- People moving in and occupying an empty second home without permission.
- Fraudulent “tenants” who present forged payslips or IDs, then stop paying immediately.
- Fake buyers who sign a preliminary sale agreement, never pay, but try to stay in the property.
In all these cases, owners are strongly advised not to attempt a “DIY eviction”. Turning up with friends to throw people out can easily flip into a criminal matter – for the owner.
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Instead, the legal route is long and layered. You must report the situation to the police, file a formal complaint, collect documents proving ownership and occupation history, and in many cases start an eviction procedure that may or may not require a court order, depending on the circumstances and how quickly the squat is reported.
The outcome is usually predictable – the owner wins – but the time, legal costs and stress can be crushing.
When home insurance steps in and pays the eviction
Less known to the general public is that some home insurance policies in France now cover part or all of the eviction costs. This sits inside what the industry calls “legal expenses” or “squatter cover” guarantees.
Not included by default
Most basic home insurance contracts focus on classic risks: fire, water damage, theft. Protection against squatting or unpaid rent is rarely included as standard.
Specialist insurance platforms and brokers stress one key point: owners must explicitly ask their insurer whether squats and evictions are covered and, if so, under what conditions. In many cases, the answer will be yes, but only if the owner pays an additional monthly premium.
| Feature | Typical basic policy | Policy with special cover |
|---|---|---|
| Fire, theft, water damage | Included | Included |
| Legal assistance | Limited or optional | Extended to housing disputes |
| Squatter eviction costs | Usually excluded | Can be covered in full or in part |
| Unpaid rent | Not covered | Possible via specific “guaranteed rent” add-on |
These extended policies may pay for bailiffs, lawyers, locksmiths and sometimes hotel costs for the owner if they are temporarily unable to use their home. The level of support varies widely from one insurer to another.
Owners who only read the first page of their contract often learn too late that squatting was never covered.
Questions owners should ask their insurer
Before signing, or at the next renewal date, landlords and second-home owners can ask very concrete questions:
- Does my policy cover illegal occupation of my property?
- Are both main and secondary residences included?
- What costs are reimbursed – legal fees, bailiffs, locksmiths, lost rent?
- Is there a maximum payout per claim?
- What deadlines apply for reporting the squat?
Insurers sometimes require specific security measures in exchange for this cover: good-quality locks, reinforced doors or an alarm system. Failure to comply can reduce or cancel compensation.
Prevention: small gestures that reduce the risk of squats
While insurance can soften the financial hit, many squats start with preventable vulnerabilities. French professionals recommend combining paperwork checks with physical security.
Checking buyers and tenants more carefully
For rentals and sales, owners are urged to scrutinise identity cards, payslips and employment contracts rather than accepting photocopies at face value. When in doubt, notaries, estate agents or specialised services can verify documents.
Owners renting without an agency sometimes skip background checks to fill a vacancy quickly. This can be risky, especially in major cities where demand is strong and fraudsters know how to look reassuring.
Securing the property itself
Empty second homes attract opportunistic squatters, especially when visibly unoccupied. Several measures reduce the appeal:
- Installing a basic alarm with remote notification.
- Fitting a reinforced door and certified high-security lock.
- Asking neighbours to report suspicious comings and goings.
- Using timer switches for lights to suggest presence.
Squatters often look for the easiest target; visible security can make them move on.
What “legal protection” in a policy actually means
Many insurance contracts contain a clause called “protection juridique” or legal protection. On paper it sounds broad, but its scope is often misunderstood.
This guarantee generally pays for legal advice and part of the costs when you face a dispute linked to the insured property: conflict with a neighbour, problem with a tradesperson, or in some cases, housing occupation issues. The insurer may offer a dedicated lawyer or reimburse your own within ceilings defined in the contract.
Owners should read the list of covered disputes. Some policies mention squatting or unpaid rent explicitly. Others cover them indirectly, using broader wording about “occupancy disputes” or “eviction procedures”. Precision here matters when things go wrong.
A quick scenario: how cover can change everything
Imagine a Parisian couple with a small holiday house on the Atlantic coast. They visit only during school holidays. One October, a neighbour calls: lights are on, people are inside.
Without specific insurance, the couple would travel down, contact the police, hire a lawyer and start an eviction process. Between train tickets, hotel stays, bailiff fees and legal costs, the bill could easily reach several thousand euros, not counting months of worry.
With extended home insurance including squatter cover, the path looks different. They call a dedicated claims line, receive guidance on each step, and many of the professional fees are reimbursed. They still lose time and peace of mind, but the financial shock is far smaller.
Key terms owners should know before signing
For non-specialists, the vocabulary in French insurance contracts can be confusing. A few words are particularly relevant when thinking about squats:
- Franchise (excess): the part of the loss you must pay yourself before insurance kicks in.
- Plafond (limit): the maximum amount the insurer will pay for a given claim or per year.
- Exclusion: situations where the insurer will not pay, often listed at the back of the contract.
- Déclaration de sinistre: the formal step of reporting the incident, usually with strict deadlines.
Missing a reporting deadline or ignoring an exclusion can be enough for a claim to be rejected, even if the owner sincerely thought they were covered.
Risks and trade-offs when paying extra for squat cover
Extended cover has a cost. Landlords and second-home owners must balance the size of the premium with the real risk of squatting in their area, and the value of the property. In low-risk rural zones, some decide that an alarm and good locks are sufficient. In crowded urban markets, the equation often tilts towards broader insurance.
The French debate around squats is political as well as practical. Laws evolve, procedures speed up or slow down, and media coverage tends to spike after a few high-profile cases each year. In that shifting context, one quiet trend seems clear: insurers are becoming central players in how owners protect themselves, not only from fires and floods, but from the shock of finding strangers living behind their own front door.
Originally posted 2026-03-05 01:48:20.