Banking in France

To handle money in France you need a French bank account with a French IBAN and bank details (RIB) plus a bank card (carte bancaire, or CB), the near-universal debit card run on the CB network. French and EU banks are supervised by the ACPR alongside the Banque de France, and deposits up to €100,000 are guaranteed by the FGDR. In your first week, Nickel opens at a tabac with ID and a French mobile number for €25 a year, and Revolut opens before you arrive; the Livret A pays 1.70% tax-free since 1 August 2026, while other savings interest is taxed at 31.4%. The guides below cover opening an account, choosing a card, and comparing traditional banks, online banks, and neobanks.