Legal limits on banking fees
French law limits some banking fees, such as certain incident fees. We could not confirm the current amounts on an official page on October 6, 2026, so this guide does not print them. Fees without a legal limit are set by each bank in its own price list, so start by listing every fee on your latest statements and ask your bank for the basis of each one that looks high.
If a fee looks too high
Write to your bank, ask it to state the legal or contractual basis of the fee, and ask for the excess to be refunded. Keep a copy of your letter and of the statement showing the charge.
Negotiating with your bank
Fees that no law caps are set by the bank, so you can ask for a reduction. These are the ones to raise first:
- Card subscription
- Account maintenance
- Packaged subscription
- Payment-method insurance
- Safe deposit box
Five arguments to bring
- Tenure: how many years you have been a customer.
- Specific competing offer: a written price list from an online bank or a rival.
- Multi-product holding: mortgage, home insurance, savings under the same roof.
- Salary direct deposit: regular income paid into the account.
- Numeric comparison: show a competitor fee list and ask for an alignment.
Branch procedure
- Book an appointment with your adviser.
- Prepare arguments and proof (competitor price lists, your latest statements).
- Stay polite but firm.
- Ask for a written confirmation (email or letter).
- If refused, ask to speak to the branch manager.
Caution
Do not bluff if you are not ready to leave. Be ready to switch banks if the negotiation fails: bank switching is free by law (see below).
Bank switching step by step
According to Service-Public (F33881, page marked verified on 21 September 2026, citing article L312-1-7 of the Monetary and Financial Code), the bank switching assistance service is free of charge and both banks have 22 business days in total to complete the procedures.
- Open the new account at the bank of your choice.
- Sign the switching mandate when opening. It includes a request to cancel the standing transfer orders on the old account.
- The new bank transmits your new bank details to your creditors and debtors 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. It cannot close the account if the balance is negative.
What else to move yourself
Ask both banks what the mobility service does not cover and plan those steps separately. See our savings guide for savings products.
Online banks and neobanks
Online banks and neobanks are an alternative to a high-street bank. Examples, each linked to its own site:
Card fees, account maintenance and welcome offers change often, so read each provider's current price list on its own website before you open an account. For card choice, see our guide to bank cards in France.
If you are new to France
Which banks serve English-speaking customers, which documents they accept and how they price their accounts is set by each bank and was not verified here. Check the provider's own English-language pages before you rely on English support. The opening procedure for a newcomer is covered in our step-by-step guide to opening a French bank account.
Avoiding incident fees
Incident fees (rejected payments, overdraft, intervention) are the charges a few habits can prevent.
Monitor your balance weekly
Check the account at least once a week. Activate balance notifications in the mobile app.
Set threshold alerts
Configure SMS or email alerts when your balance drops below a threshold you define.
Agree an overdraft limit in advance
If you regularly go negative, ask your adviser for an authorized overdraft that matches your real needs before an incident happens.
Ask about specific offers for fragile customers
If you are in financial difficulty, ask your bank in writing whether you qualify for a specific offer for financially fragile customers. Service-Public links to an ABE-Infoservice page on this subject.
Goodwill refund
After a one-off incident, ask your bank in writing for a goodwill refund of the fee.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to switch banks in France?
Yes. Service-Public states that the bank switching assistance service is free. Both banks have 22 business days in total to complete the transfer procedures (Service-Public F33881, page marked verified on 21 September 2026).
Can my old bank close the account when I switch?
According to Service-Public F33881, the departing bank transfers the positive balance and closes the account if you ask it to. It cannot close the account if the balance is negative.
How can I challenge a fee that looks too high?
Write to your bank, ask it to state the legal or contractual basis of the fee, and ask for a refund of any excess. Keep a copy of your letter and of the statement showing the charge.
Official sources (accessed October 6, 2026)
- Service-Public.fr - Changer de banque, mobilité bancaire (F33881)
- Service-Public.fr - Comptes bancaires (N98)
Provider pages, linked only so you can read each provider's own conditions: BoursoBank, Fortuneo, Hello bank!, Monabanq, Revolut, N26.
Disclaimer: This article gives general information based on the official sources above and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Fees outside the legal caps are set by each bank, so check your bank's current price list for binding figures.