Across France, incidents of squatters occupying homes and holiday properties are increasing. Removing them can be a long, costly, and emotionally draining process. However, some home insurance policies include little-known features that can ease part of this financial burden for property owners.
Squats: A Growing Concern for Homeowners
Squatting rarely makes headlines in France, yet it is becoming more common. Legal experts, insurers, and police report a steady rise in disputes involving unlawful property occupation and unpaid rent.
Data is fragmented because cases are recorded across local authorities, courts, and insurance files. National statistics are incomplete and often delayed. Still, one figure highlights the scale: in 2024, consumer group CNL59 documented around 52,000 consultations with professionals—such as notaries, police, and insurers—related to squats or rent arrears.
Evictions do not always occur. In 2021, about 12,000 evictions were recorded, up from just over 8,000 in 2020. When considering only clear-cut squats—where occupants have no legal lease—the numbers drop sharply. Between September 2023 and May 2024, only 432 evictions were recorded, roughly three times the 2022 total.
Although squats remain limited in number, they are highly stressful events with legal and financial consequences that can last for months or even years.
Different Faces of Squatting
Defining a squat is one of the main challenges for policymakers and owners. The classic image of strangers breaking into a holiday home is just one scenario.
From Fake Rentals to Hijacked Sales
French professionals identify several situations that fall under squatting:
- Classic break-in: Intruders force entry into a primary or secondary residence.
- Fake tenant: Occupants present forged documents to obtain a lease they never intend to honor.
- Sale scam: Prospective buyers move in before completing a sale and block the transaction.
- Extended “temporary” stay: Relatives or acquaintances refuse to leave after a short visit.
Each case follows a different legal path—some criminal, others civil—which affects how quickly owners can regain access and which costs can be claimed from insurers.
The Legal Process: Long and Costly
French law protects occupants once they can demonstrate they have established a home, even if entry was illegal. Owners must navigate the process carefully to avoid complications.
Specialists advise the following steps when a squat is suspected:
- Notify the police or gendarmerie and file a formal complaint.
- Gather proof of ownership: title deed, tax notices, utility bills.
- Document the property from outside with photos or videos, without forcing entry.
- Contact the home insurer promptly.
- Consult a lawyer or legal advice service to determine the best procedure.
Where entry is clearly illegal, authorities may issue an administrative eviction, which avoids a full court process but is rarely immediate. More ambiguous cases—unpaid rent, disputed leases, or unclear break-ins—often require a civil court eviction. Hearings, appeals, and bailiff costs can take months, creating significant expenses for legal fees, property repairs, locksmith services, and lost rent.
Home Insurance Coverage for Squats
Many homeowners are unaware that certain insurance policies can cover some or all costs associated with evicting squatters. This protection is rarely included in basic packages.
Optional Protection, Not Standard
Typical French home insurance covers fire, water damage, theft, and liability. Protection against unlawful occupation usually falls under optional legal protection or unpaid rent add-ons. Coverage may:
- Be limited to tenants who fail to pay or overstay their lease.
- Exclude certain squatter types, especially without proof of forced entry.
- Include waiting periods before cover becomes effective.
- Cap reimbursements for legal assistance or eviction costs.
Owners must explicitly request these options and accept higher premiums, which can be significant for landlords with multiple properties.
What Expenses Can Be Reimbursed?
When a squat falls under a covered event, enhanced insurance can pay for:
| Expense Type | Possible Coverage |
|---|---|
| Lawyer’s fees | Partial or full reimbursement up to policy limit |
| Bailiff and eviction costs | Support for notices, court filings, and eviction operations |
| Locksmith and security | Lock replacement, door reinforcement, initial alarm systems |
| Property damage | Repairs if linked to covered vandalism or break-in |
| Loss of rent | Compensation for unpaid rent for a defined period |
Checking Your Policy
French insurance contracts can be dense. Owners should focus on key sections and ask direct questions:
- Is unlawful occupation explicitly covered?
- Does legal protection include eviction proceedings and at what stage?
- Are secondary or vacant properties treated differently from main residences?
- What is the waiting period for unpaid-rent coverage?
- What are the maximum reimbursed amounts for lawyers, bailiffs, and locksmiths?
Reading exclusions is crucial. Policies may deny coverage if the property was left unlocked or if the situation was not reported promptly.
Preventing Squats: Simple Steps
Insurance helps once a crisis begins, but prevention reduces risk:
- Verify identity papers and payslips when renting.
- Use notaries or estate professionals to confirm document authenticity for sales.
- Always use written, registered contracts—even with acquaintances.
- Install quality locks and modern alarm systems, especially in secondary homes.
- Ask neighbors or caretakers to monitor the property during absences.
These measures increase the barrier for opportunistic squatters and aid proof of unlawful entry if disputes arise.
A Typical Squat Scenario
Imagine a Parisian couple with a holiday home on the Atlantic coast. They arrive to find strangers living inside, locks changed, personal items around, and a child’s bike in the garden. The occupants claim to have permission via a fake landlord and rental contract. Immediate eviction is refused, and the couple must file a complaint and pursue legal action.
A policy with extended legal protection could cover lawyer fees, court applications, bailiff costs, and eviction expenses. Additional unpaid-rent coverage might compensate for lost use of the property. Without these add-ons, owners face the full financial burden.
Key Terms to Know
- Unlawful occupation: Living in a property without legal right, including squats and overstaying tenants.
- Main vs. secondary residence: Eviction timelines can be faster for primary homes.
- Administrative eviction: Authorities remove occupants without a full civil court case.
- Legal protection insurance: Optional cover for legal advice and court costs.
- Rent guarantee insurance: Covers unpaid rent and sometimes eviction costs, mainly for landlords.
For landlords and second-home owners, the question is not if a squat will occur, but how prepared they are. Reviewing home insurance and following simple security practices can give owners leverage and peace of mind when facing unlawful occupation.
