Personal Loan in France 2026: Rates, APR & Usury Cap
Published February 10, 2026 · Verified on October 6, 2026
Banque de France usury ceilings for Q4 2026, the EUR 200-75,000 range, the documents lenders ask for and your 14-day withdrawal right, checked against official sources.
A personal loan in France is a consumer credit of EUR 200 to EUR 75,000 with a term of more than 3 months, according to Service-Public. The Banque de France usury ceilings for Q4 2026 are 23.60% APR up to EUR 3,000, 15.76% from EUR 3,001 to 6,000 and 8.56% above EUR 6,000. After signing, you have 14 calendar days to withdraw.
Key takeaways
- Usury ceilings for Q4 2026 (Banque de France, applicable from 1 October 2026): 23.60% APR up to EUR 3,000, 15.76% from EUR 3,001 to 6,000, 8.56% above EUR 6,000
- Amount and term: EUR 200 to EUR 75,000, for more than 3 months (Service-Public F2435)
- Withdrawal: 14 calendar days after signing (Service-Public F2435)
What is a personal loan in France?
A personal loan, called prêt personnel in French, is a consumer credit. Service-Public points to articles L312-1 to L312-4 of the Consumer Code for the credits concerned. The amount must be between EUR 200 and EUR 75,000 and the term must exceed 3 months, according to Service-Public.
What are the usury ceilings for the fourth quarter of 2026?
The usury ceiling is the maximum APR (TAEG) that Banque de France publishes for each loan amount band. For the fourth quarter of 2026, applicable from 1 October 2026, the ceilings are 23.60% up to EUR 3,000, 15.76% from EUR 3,001 to 6,000 and 8.56% above EUR 6,000.
The taux d'usure ceilings are maximum APR (TAEG) figures published by Banque de France. The ceilings below are the figures Banque de France lists for the fourth quarter of 2026, applicable from 1 October 2026.
| Loan category | Usury ceiling Q4 2026 | Applicable from |
|---|---|---|
| Loan ≤ EUR 3,000 | 23.60% | 1 October 2026 |
| Loan from EUR 3,001 to EUR 6,000 | 15.76% | 1 October 2026 |
| Loan > EUR 6,000 | 8.56% | 1 October 2026 |
Source: Banque de France, usury rates Q4 2026, accessed October 6, 2026.
These are the fourth-quarter 2026 figures. Ceilings are reset every quarter, so check the Banque de France page for the ceilings in force on the day you sign.
How do you compare personal loan offers?
The TAEG, not the nominal rate, is the figure to compare between written offers.
Because the ceilings are expressed as an APR, compare written offers on the TAEG printed in each one rather than on the nominal rate, and check that it stays below the ceiling for your loan amount.
Which documents do lenders ask for?
According to Service-Public, if the loan exceeds EUR 3,000 the lender must ask you for proof of identity, proof of address and proof of income:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of address
- Proof of income
What if you are new to France?
The sources cited on this page do not describe separate rules for people who recently moved to France. Which foreign-issued documents a lender accepts as proof of identity, address or income is covered in the FAQ below. If you do not have a French bank account yet, read our guide to opening a bank account in France.
What should you do before and after you sign?
Before signing a personal loan, gather your proofs of identity, address and income and compare the TAEG of written offers. After signing, you have 14 calendar days to withdraw.
- Gather the proofs of identity, address and income listed above.
- Request written offers and compare their TAEG with the usury ceiling for your amount.
- After signing, you have 14 calendar days to withdraw from the loan (Service-Public F2435).
Frequently asked questions
Is there a legal debt-to-income limit for a personal loan in France?▼
The Service-Public page on personal loans says the lender must check that you can repay, first by comparing your income with your compulsory expenses, and must consult the FICP file. That page gives no fixed percentage threshold, so this guide does not quote one. Ask the lender how it calculates your repayment capacity.
How can I check that a lender is authorised in France?▼
The ACPR, attached to the Banque de France, authorises credit institutions in France, and its website links to REGAFI, the register of financial agents. We did not verify any individual lender, so this guide names none. Look the company up there before you share documents or sign.
Can I apply with a foreign document or a residence permit?▼
Service-Public asks for proof of identity, address and income when the loan exceeds EUR 3,000. We did not verify which foreign-issued documents each lender accepts, or whether any lender offers its contract in English. Ask the lender in writing before you apply.
Official sources (accessed October 6, 2026)
- Banque de France, usury rates Q4 2026: https://www.banque-france.fr/fr/statistiques/taux-et-cours/taux-dusure-2026-q4
- Service-Public, personal loan (F2435, page marked verified on 20 May 2025): https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2435
- ACPR, French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (REGAFI register linked from the site): https://acpr.banque-france.fr/
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Disclaimer: This page is for information only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. It is based on the official sources listed above, accessed on October 6, 2026. A loan is a binding commitment and must be repaid. Assess your repayment capacity and read the full contract before signing.