Khaberni - A recent survey showed that about half of the real estate agencies in France accept or facilitate racial discrimination in obtaining housing.
Anti-discrimination organization "SOS Racisme" contacted 198 real estate agencies in 2025, pretending to operate in real estate ownership, and requested "European" tenants as a way to avoid "problems".
Among these agencies, 48 agencies (24.2%) agreed to select tenants on this basis, while another 48 agencies allowed or encouraged the owner to choose them on a racial basis, according to a report published by the newspaper "Le Parisien" on Sunday.
This means that nearly half of the agencies encouraged or facilitated racial discrimination, while 102 (51.5%) rejected discrimination and explicitly opposed selecting tenants based on racial criteria.
"SOS Racisme" organization confirmed in a statement that the survey "highlights a worrying continuation of discriminatory practices that are prohibited by criminal law".
Minister of Equality Auror Berg commented on the survey results saying, "The organization's report shows that the road is still long," and reaffirmed that "discrimination is illegal".
Berg announced the introduction of mandatory training on anti-discrimination for all real estate agents, which is currently mandatory only for holders of professional licenses, that is, less than half of the agents.
She said that a decree in this regard might be issued "in the coming weeks".
"SOS Racisme" conducted similar surveys in 2019 and 2022, and the latest results showed no improvement: in 2022, 48.5% out of 136 agencies accepted discriminatory requests directly (25%) or facilitated them (23.5%).
In a letter addressed to lawmakers, seen by the French Press Agency, the president of "SOS Racisme" Dominique Sopo urged the deputies on Sunday to "speak loudly and clearly" against discrimination.
