Can I evict a squatter from my home?
Yes, with a fast-track procedure since 2023. The law of 27 July 2023 ("anti-squat") strengthened owner protection. If a squatter illegally occupies your home (main or furnished second home), you can file a complaint for home violation, have the occupation recorded, and ask the prefect for an administrative forced removal: the prefect has 48 hours to serve notice, then the squatter has 24 hours to leave before the police step in. Since 2025, the winter truce no longer protects squatters. Note: a tenant who stops paying is not a squatter (different procedure).
📋 The rules
- Squatting = illegal occupation of a home (home violation)
- Protects main and furnished second homes
- Prefect: 48 h for notice, then 24 h to leave
- Forced removal without a long trial
- Winter truce no longer protects squatters (since 2025)
🔓 Exceptions
- A defaulting tenant isn't a squatter: standard court eviction procedure
- You must prove the home violation (complaint + bailiff/officer finding)
- The prefect can refuse for public-order reasons (rare, must be reasoned)
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Home violation (squatting) is punished by 3 years in prison and a €45,000 fine (up from 1 year and €15,000). Staying in the home despite the prefect's notice is also punished. For the owner, acting fast is key: the earlier the in-the-act procedure starts, the more the quick administrative removal is possible. Beyond that, the standard court route applies.
📎 Official sources
- Service-Public.fr · What to do about squatting →
- Légifrance · Law no. 2023-668 of 27 July 2023 (anti-squat) →
- Ministry of the Interior · Forced removal of a squat →
❓ Frequently asked
How do I evict a squatter quickly?
File a complaint for home violation, have the occupation recorded, and ask the prefect for forced removal. The prefect has 48 h to serve notice on the squatter, who then has 24 h to leave before the police step in.
Does the law protect my second home?
Yes. Since the law of 27 July 2023, the fast removal procedure also applies to furnished second homes, not just the main home. It's a major change for owners.
Does the winter truce protect squatters?
No, not since 2025. The law now clearly excludes squatters from the winter-truce benefit: eviction can happen even in winter, unlike for a tenant.
Is a tenant who doesn't pay a squatter?
No. A tenant in arrears isn't a squatter: you must go through a court eviction (payment order, judge, justice officer). The fast anti-squat procedure only applies to illegal occupation of a home.
What penalty for a squatter?
Home violation is punished by 3 years in prison and a €45,000 fine. Staying in the home despite the prefect's notice is also punished. The penalties were sharply increased by the 2023 law.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “evict squatter law 2023”
- “anti-squat procedure 48 hours”
- “squat second home law”
- “winter truce squatter 2025”
- “home violation penalty”
- “squatter what to do owner”