The main thing to remember
- In March 2026, mortgage rates remained generally stable, with an initial slight decline observed in certain establishments.
- Banks remain commercially active, particularly with first-time buyers, in a context of increased competition between establishments.
- Over the month, CAFPI obtained on average rates for its clients of 3.13% on 15, 3.26% on 20 and 3.41% on 25.
- The best profiles continue to benefit from advantageous conditions, with rates of up to 2.80% on 15, 3.00% on 20 and 3.15% on 25.
- The most competitive regions are mainly located in the South-East, notably Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Corsica, while Normandy and Brittany display the highest rates over long periods.
What rate in March 2026?
Table of Contents
| Rate reference |
1is trim 2025 |
2th trim 2025 |
3th trim 2025 |
4th trim 2025 |
Mars 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed rate 10 years | 2,99 % | 2,98 % | 2,97 % | 2,95 % | 3,02 % |
| Fixed rate 15 years | 3,09 % | 3,08 % | 3,07 % | 3,10 % | 3,13 % |
| Fixed rate 20 years | 3,16 % | 3,17 % | 3,19 % | 3,26 % | 3,26 % |
| Fixed rate 25 years | 3,26 % | 3,27 % | 3,30 % | 3,35 % | 3,41 % |
| ECB rate | 2,90 % | 2,40 % | 2,15 % | 2,15 % | 2,15 % |
* Average rate obtained on files accepted for our clients, across all production.
Adjustment of mortgage rates
After very measured increases, this month’s rates remain stable while benefiting from the reduction made by certain establishments, to capture customers, particularly first-time buyers. This stability of rates also benefits from the adoption of the State budget, which reassured the financial markets, and the drop in the 10-year OAT, which has fallen below 3.40% since the middle of February. It should continue in the coming months, barring any further economic hazards.
First slight decline of the year
The slight decline observed in rates in certain establishments in February enabled CAFPI to obtain on average rates for its clients of:
- 3.13% over 15 (-5 hundredths compared to last month)
- 3.26% on 20 (-1 hundredths)
- 3.41% out of 25 (+ 2 hundredths).
The best profiles also benefit from this small drop, with differences of up to 15 hundredths compared to the previous month. This month, these buyers were able to benefit from rates of up to:
- 2.80% on 15 (-15 hundredths)
- 3.00% on 20 (-5 hundredths)
- 3,15 % sur 25 ans (égal)
Good to know
A couple with €4,300 in monthly net income wants to buy real estate.
With a rate of 3.26% over 20 years, their maximum borrowing capacity will be €250,000 with a monthly payment of €1,494/month (insurance included).
The table below presents a real estate loan simulation over 20 years at a rate of 3.26%, depending on different amounts borrowed. It allows you to compare the impact on the monthly mortgage payment and the total cost of credit, two essential criteria for properly preparing your financing.
| Amount borrowed | Duration | Rate | Monthly payment | Total cost of credit |
| 150 000 € | 20 ans | 3,26 % | 896 € | 65 173 € |
| 200 000 € | 20 ans | 3,26 % | 1 195 € | 86 897 € |
| 250 000 € | 20 ans | 3,26 % | 1 494 € | 108 621 € |
| 300 000 € | 20 ans | 3,26 % | 1 793 € | 130 346 € |
Examples from our CAFPI simulator – March 2026.
A recovery which is confirmed
Today the market is driven by first-time buyers, who represent nearly one in two borrowers, according to the High Financial Stability Council. Banks are fully playing their role with these buyers by offering, as last year, numerous dedicated offers (additional loans at zero interest or highly subsidized, “helping hand” envelopes, etc.).
Banks managed as close as possible to the field
Banks today are adjusting their commercial strategy as closely as possible to market realities. Thus some establishments have chosen to carry out a slight reduction in their rates, in order to get back into the competitive race with other establishments, while others have left them unchanged, or even increased them in order to regain a little margin.
Banks, which want to continue to distribute credit, particularly in anticipation of spring housing, should therefore keep their rates more or less stable over the coming months, especially as certain establishments are ready to make efforts on their credit conditions in return for an overall profitable long-term commercial relationship.
Real estate purchasing power in March 2026
Slight increase in real estate purchasing power
This slight decline in rates mechanically allows real estate purchasing power to improve by a few square centimeters. Thus, for a monthly payment of €1,000 over 25 years at the average rates obtained by CAFPI, the Lyonnais can expect an additional 0.35 pm² compared to last month and the Marseillais 0.25 pm².
However, with the increase in prices (+1.9% in one year in Paris according to PAP for example), certain cities remain with declining real estate purchasing power like Lille (-.037 m²) or Reims (-1.55 m²).
| Big urban areas |
Mars 2025 | Mars 2026 | Evolution of name of m2 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per m2 | Surface* | Price per m2 | Surface* | Name m2 | % | |
| Bordeaux | 4 403 € | 46,63 m2 | 4 440 € | 45,44 m2 | -1,18 m2 | -2,53 % |
| Lille | 3 343 € | 61,41 m2 | 3 384 € | 59,63 m2 | -1,78 m2 | -2,91 % |
| Lyon | 4 423 € | 46,42 m2 | 4 552 € | 44,33 m2 | -2,09 m2 | -4,50 % |
| Marseille | 3 624 € | 56,65 m2 | 3 527 € | 57,21 m2 | 0,56 m2 | 0,99 % |
| Montpellier | 3 391 € | 60,54 m2 | 3 354 € | 60,16 m2 | -0,38 m2 | -0,63 % |
| Nantes | 3 292 € | 62,36 m2 | 3 375 € | 59,79 m2 | -2,58 m2 | -0,04 % |
| Nice | 5 131 € | 40,01 m2 | 5 252 € | 38,42 m2 | -1,59 m2 | -3,98 % |
| Paris | 9 385 € | 21,87 m2 | 9 771 € | 20,65 m2 | -1,22 m2 | -5,60 % |
| Reims | 2 387 € | 86,01 m2 | 2 673 € | 75,49 m2 | -10,52 m2 | -12,23 % |
| Rennes | 3 824 € | 53,69 m2 | 3 892 € | 51,84 m2 | -1,84 m2 | -3,43 % |
| Strasbourg | 3 725 € | 55,11 m2 | 3 749 € | 53,82 m2 | -1,29 m2 | -2,34 % |
| Toulouse | 3 463 € | 59,28 m2 | 3 512 € | 57,45 m2 | -1,83 m2 | -3,09 % |
* Amount borrowed for €1,000 per month repayment over 25 years according to the top rate of bank scales.
Source of price/m2 : meilleuragents.com
What are the best rates in March 2026 at CAFPI?
- Best CAFPI rate out of 20: 3.00%
- Best CAFPI rate out of 25: 3.15%
* Best rates negotiated during the previous month by CAFPI among all the fixed rate offers issued by our partner banks to CAFPI customers who have applied for a real estate loan, over a given period, the lowest rate. The displayed rate corresponds to the first decile, that is to say that 10% of our customers obtained a rate lower than or equal to that displayed (1st decile, D1), based on a minimum volume of 50 financing files obtained (excluding insurance).
What are the average rates by region in March 2026?
Preference for the South
Real estate loan rates remain uniform over the shortest duration in all regions of France, standing at 3.02% over 10.
If we extend the duration, it is the Ile-de-France region which finds itself the best bidder with also 3.02% out of 15, far from the 3.21% displayed in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
For the longest terms, 20 and 25 years, the lowest rates are found in the South-East of France. Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur thus displays 3.15% out of 20 and Corsica 3.33% out of 25, on par with the Centre-Val de Loire region.
Over these durations, the regions offering the highest rates are Normandy (3.42% out of 20) and Brittany (3.52% out of 25).
| Regions administrative |
10 ans |
15 ans |
20 ans |
25 ans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ile-de-France | 3,02 % | 3,02 % | 3,16 % | 3,35 % |
| Brittany | 3,02 % | 3,13 % | 3,35 % | 3,52 % |
| Great East | 3,02 % | 3,12 % | 3,23 % | 3,38 % |
| Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur | 3,02 % | 3,13 % | 3,15 % | 3,34 % |
| Loire region | 3,02 % | 3,13 % | 3,32 % | 3,47 % |
| Burgundy-Franche-Comté | 3,02 % | 3,13 % | 3,26 % | 3,41 % |
| Hauts-de-France | 3,02 % | 3,13 % | 3,27 % | 3,44 % |
| DROM-COM | 3,02 % | 3,13 % | 3,26 % | 3,49 % |
| Normandie | 3,02 % | 3,13 % | 3,42 % | 3,47 % |
| New Aquitaine | 3,02 % | 3,21 % | 3,26 % | 3,44 % |
| Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | 3,02 % | 3,13 % | 3,26 % | 3,46 % |
| Occitanie | 3,02 % | 3,13 % | 3,32 % | 3,41 % |
| Corse | 3,02 % | 3,13 % | 3,26 % | 3,33 % |
| Center-Val de Loire | 3,02 % | 3,13 % | 3,26 % | 3,33 % |
Please note: the rates displayed correspond to the average rates by region
* Rates given as an indication as of 01/03/2026.
Par Caroline ArnouldGeneral Director
Updated on 01/03/2026 at 07:20
