Banking in France 2026
Bank mobility is a free service: both banks have 22 business days in total to complete the procedures (Service-Public F33881). According to the FGDR, its guarantee covers up to €100,000 per client and per institution. This comparatif24.fr hub brings together 11 detailed guides for residents and expats.
Key Takeaways
- Bank mobility is free, with 22 business days in total for both banks (Service-Public F33881, citing article L312-1-7 of the Monetary and Financial Code).
- The right to a bank account runs through the Banque de France: it designates a bank within 1 business day of receiving your documents, and opening the account and basic banking services are free (Service-Public F2417).
- The FGDR states that its guarantee covers up to €100,000 per client and per banking institution.
- The Livret A is capped at €22,950 for individuals, the LDDS at €12,000 and the LEP at €10,000 (Service-Public). Current rates are shown on the Service-Public fact sheets.
- The ACPR, attached to the Banque de France, supervises the banking sector and authorises institutions. Its REGAFI portal lets you verify an authorisation.
Banking in France: key points
The ACPR (Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority), attached to the Banque de France, supervises the banking and insurance sectors in France and authorises institutions, according to its website. Its REGAFI portal lets you verify an authorisation before you entrust your money to an institution.
This page does not reproduce bank rankings or market statistics, because we could not confirm them on an official page on October 6, 2026. To compare fees, use the public comparison site tarifs-bancaires.gouv.fr, published by the Comité consultatif du secteur financier (CCSF).
11 detailed guides on banking in France
Open a Bank Account in France: Expat Guide (2026)
The right to a bank account (droit au compte), the Banque de France procedure and free bank switching.
Read guideJoint Bank Account France 2026: Expat Guide
Joint bank account in France for couples and expats: compte joint vs compte indivis, joint liability, désolidarisation, divorce and death of a co-holder.
Read guideHow to Choose Your Bank Card in France 2026: Expat Guide
Visa, Mastercard or CB? Card types, what to check about tiers and fees abroad, and what to do if a card is lost or stolen.
Read guideLivret A 2026: 1.7% Rate, EUR 22,950 Limit, Expat Guide
France's Livret A savings account: rate, ceiling and eligibility according to Service-Public.
Read guideSavings Guide France 2026: Accounts, Rates and Strategy
A panorama of French savings products: Livret A, LDDS, LEP, PEL, life insurance, PEA and PER.
Read guideMortgage in France 2026: Insurance Switching and Sources
Mortgage in France: changing borrower insurance after signing, checking a broker on ORIAS, and where to find current figures.
Read guidePersonal Loan France 2026: Rates, APR & Usury Cap
Personal loans in France: Q4 2026 usury ceilings (23.60% / 15.76% / 8.56%), EUR 200-75,000 range, documents asked and the 14-day withdrawal right.
Read guideDebt Consolidation France 2026: Rates, Steps Guide
Debt consolidation (rachat de crédits) in France: Banque de France usury rates and IOBSP/ORIAS broker checks.
Read guideHow to Reduce Banking Fees in France 2026
How to reduce banking fees in France: negotiating with your bank, free bank switching and avoiding incident fees.
Read guideConsumer Rights in France 2026: Expat Legal Guide
Consumer rights in France for expats and residents: withdrawal, legal warranty, DGCCRF, SignalConso, Bloctel and mediation.
Read guideConsumer Disputes in France 2026: Expat Resolution Guide
How expats and English speakers resolve consumer disputes in France: complaint letters, mediation, SignalConso, courts and legal aid.
Read guideThe market in key figures (official sources)
Main reference points, as published by Service-Public.fr (bank mobility, Livret A ceiling) and the FGDR (deposit guarantee).
Source: Service-Public.fr (F33881, F2365), FGDR (garantiedesdepots.fr), accessed October 6, 2026. Figures evolve with each official publication.
Your rights as a banking customer in France
Three reference points to know before subscribing or in case of dispute.
Right to a bank account
Service-Public (F2417, citing article L312-1 of the Monetary and Financial Code): if a bank refuses, the Banque de France designates an institution by letter within 1 business day of receiving your documents. Opening the account and using the basic banking services are free of charge.
Bank mobility
Service-Public (F33881, citing article L312-1-7 of the Monetary and Financial Code): the bank mobility assistance service is free, with 22 business days in total for both banks. The new bank transmits your new bank details to organisations within 5 business days of receiving the information from the old bank.
FGDR guarantee up to €100,000
The FGDR states that its guarantee covers up to €100,000 per client and per banking institution (source: garantiedesdepots.fr, accessed October 6, 2026).
In case of dispute
- →First step: contact customer service then the bank's complaints department, in writing with acknowledgment of receipt, and keep a copy.
- →To verify a bank's license: regafi.fr, ACPR portal to verify an authorisation.
- →To report a problem with a company: signal.conso.gouv.fr (free public service of the DGCCRF).
- →Procedure details: consumer disputes France and reduce banking fees.
Regulated savings rates
The Livret A, LDDS and LEP rates are set by order for fixed periods. They are not reproduced on this page to avoid outdated figures: check the current rate on the Service-Public.fr fact sheets (Livret A F2365, LEP F2367, LDDS F2368).
For details: Livret A guide and savings guide France.
Switching banks
According to Service-Public (F33881), the bank mobility assistance service is free of charge. You sign a mandate and the new bank handles the steps with the organisations concerned. Both banks have 22 business days in total, and the new bank transmits your new bank details within 5 business days of receiving the information from the old bank.
Before choosing a bank, verify its authorisation on regafi.fr and compare fees on tarifs-bancaires.gouv.fr. The documents asked and the opening conditions vary by bank: ask before you go.
The new bank gives you the list of operations for which the change of domiciliation was made. The old bank transfers the positive balance and closes the account if you ask it to. It cannot close the account if the balance is negative.
Useful links to get started
Frequently asked questions about banking in France
How does bank mobility work in France?
According to Service-Public (fact sheet F33881, marked verified on 21 September 2026, citing article L312-1-7 of the Monetary and Financial Code), the bank mobility assistance service is free of charge. Both banks have 22 business days in total to complete the procedures. The new bank transmits your new bank details to organisations within 5 business days of receiving the information from the old bank. The old bank transfers the positive balance and closes the account if you ask it to, but it cannot close the account if the balance is negative.
What is the right to a bank account in France and how do I exercise it?
According to Service-Public (fact sheet F2417, marked verified on 28 October 2025, citing article L312-1 of the Monetary and Financial Code), you can ask for an account if you reside in France, legally reside in another EU member state, or are a French national residing outside France. If a bank refuses, it must give you a letter of refusal stating the reason, and no answer within 15 days counts as a refusal. The Banque de France then designates a bank by letter within 1 business day of receiving your documents, and the account is opened within 3 business days of the designated bank receiving the documents. Opening the account and using the basic banking services are free of charge.
What are the ceilings of the Livret A, LDDS and LEP?
According to Service-Public, the Livret A ceiling is €22,950 for individuals (fact sheet F2365), the LDDS ceiling is €12,000 (F2368) and the LEP ceiling is €10,000 (F2367). Rates are set by order for fixed periods and are not reproduced on this page: check the Service-Public fact sheets for the rate in force.
Are my bank deposits protected if a bank fails?
The FGDR (Deposit Guarantee and Resolution Fund) states on its website that its guarantee covers up to €100,000 per client and per banking institution (source: garantiedesdepots.fr, accessed October 6, 2026). Check that site for how the guarantee applies to your accounts.
Who supervises banks in France?
According to its website, the ACPR (Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority), attached to the Banque de France, supervises the banking and insurance sectors in France and authorises institutions. Its REGAFI portal lets you verify an authorisation.
Where can I compare banking fees?
The public comparison site tarifs-bancaires.gouv.fr, published by the Comité consultatif du secteur financier (CCSF), lets you compare for free the main fees charged by banking institutions. Also read your own bank price list before you sign.
Official sources
Information provided for guidance only and may evolve. Consult official sources (ACPR, Banque de France, FGDR, Service-Public.fr) and a professional for personalized decisions. This site is purely informative and does not constitute banking, financial or legal advice.