Can I choose my matrimonial regime?

Yes! The matrimonial regime can be chosen and tailored by a marriage contract signed before a notaire.

For example, in the marriage contract, the couple can decide in particular: who owns what, under what conditions, whether compensation is due between the estates defined, whether the consent of both spouses is required to borrow, etc.

Without a contract, the regime of community of property limited to acquisitions (communauté réduite aux acquêts) applies automatically.
Under this regime, everything that belongs to or is owed by the spouses before the marriage remains their own property and their own liability. On the other hand, everything acquired or spent during the marriage is regarded as assets or liabilities common to both spouses (except for property received by gift or inheritance and personal belongings such as clothes and jewellery).

This regime may prove unsatisfactory for some spouses, in particular if one or both of them own assets or expect to inherit, or take professional risks… In that case, French law offers them a wide range of options to set the rules that will apply.

Your notaire is an expert in this field and will be able to give you useful advice.