Updated October 2026. If you run a business in France, a dedicated pro account keeps company money separate and is obligatory for companies like SAS or SARL. A newly registered micro-entrepreneur should start with Shine Free at €0 HT a month, then move to Qonto Basic (€9 HT a month) as volume grows. BoursoBank Pro (€9 a month) is the option with FGDR protection; Qonto and Shine are payment institutions without it.
Key takeaways
- A dedicated pro account is recommended for micro-entrepreneurs and obligatory for companies like SAS or SARL.
- A business account (compte pro) issues an IBAN in your business name, with expense cards for teams.
- Most cards here are débit or charge cards (bank cards, or CB), not revolving credit, co-badged Visa or Mastercard.
- Qonto and Shine lead on French IBAN accounts with compta and URSSAF integration.
- Bank deposits are protected by the FGDR up to €100,000; Qonto and Shine safeguard funds instead (no FGDR).
When do you need a dedicated pro account in France?
Whether you need a dedicated pro account depends on your legal structure. A micro-entrepreneur should keep business and personal money separate from the start, and as of June 2026 a dedicated account becomes obligatory once annual turnover stays above a set threshold for two consecutive years. A profession libérale follows the same logic, while a société such as a SAS or SARL must hold a pro account from day one to deposit its share capital. The rules sit under bodies supervised by the ACPR.
A compte pro issues an IBAN in your business name, not your personal name, which makes invoices, URSSAF declarations, and VAT cleaner. Most providers add expense cards for teams, accounting (compta) integration, and tools that estimate cotisations. The cards themselves are usually débit or charge CB, co-badged Visa or Mastercard, rather than revolving credit.
A pro account is not always a full bank
Which pro accounts and business cards are best in France in 2026?
The best choice depends on whether you are a micro-entrepreneur, a profession libérale, or a company with a team. Fintechs Qonto and Shine lead for an all-in-one French IBAN account with compta and URSSAF tools, while Blank, Finom, Propulse by CA, and Revolut Business cover solo, billing, and multi-currency needs. In October 2026 Shine Free costs €0 HT a month, Shine Start and Qonto Basic €9 HT, and a traditional bank pro account €17 to €20 a month. All the cards below are debit cards, not revolving credit.
Sentiment among French founders and freelancers tracks this ranking. Qonto is the most positively rated pro account for its accounting integrations, advanced team expense management, and French IBAN, with the common reservations being no cash deposits, no overdraft, and pricing that climbs with team size. Shine is loved by freelancers for its ultra-simple interface, built-in invoicing, and an affordable or free plan, though it is lighter than Qonto for larger teams. Revolut Business is favoured for multi-currency and international payments with strong FX, while reviewers note support can be inconsistent and it fits French accounting workflows less neatly. Finom earns praise for cashback and integrated billing but is still less established in France. Vivid draws positive mentions for a strong all-in-one offering aimed at small and local businesses, though it remains the least established of the group on the French market.
Qonto Business Account
Qonto pairs a French IBAN with debit expense cards, receipt OCR and Pennylane or Indy integrations. Basic costs €9 HT a month on annual billing (€11 monthly) with 30 SEPA transfers, then €0.40-0.50 each, and opens in 24-48 hours with a SIREN or Kbis.
Why we recommend it: A French-IBAN pro account from €9 HT a month (Basic, annual billing) with 30 SEPA transfers, receipt OCR and Pennylane or Indy integrations, opened in 24-48 hours.
Best for: Freelancers and companies wanting an all-in-one French IBAN pro account
Pros
- +Strong accounting integrations and exports
- +Advanced team expense management and spend limits
- +Physical and virtual expense cards (débit)
- +French IBAN in the business name
Cons
- −No cash deposits and no overdraft or credit
- −€0.40-0.50 per transfer above the 30 included
- −1% FX fee on non-euro card payments
- Business debit card, Visa or Mastercard
- Share-capital deposit support for SAS / SARL
- Payment institution: funds safeguarded, no FGDR
Shine Pro Account
Shine is built for micro-entrepreneurs, with a French IBAN, URSSAF cotisation calculation and simple invoicing in one app. Shine Free costs €0 HT a month with 5 SEPA transfers a month; Shine Start at €9 HT a month adds 30 transfers and cheque deposits. Shine belongs to the Société Générale group.
Why we recommend it: The only genuinely free French business account (Shine Free, €0 HT a month) with URSSAF cotisation calculation built in, ideal for a newly registered micro-entrepreneur.
Best for: Micro-entrepreneurs who want URSSAF and VAT estimates built in
Pros
- +€0 HT a month on Shine Free
- +URSSAF cotisation calculation and invoicing built in
- +Cheque deposits from Shine Start (€9 HT a month)
- +French IBAN for invoices and direct debits (prélèvements)
Cons
- −Free plan limited to 5 SEPA transfers a month
- −Fewer accounting integrations than Qonto
- −Online only, no branch network
- Business debit card
- Accounting (compta) exports
- Payment institution: funds safeguarded, no FGDR
Blank Pro Account
Blank targets solo independents and professions libérales with a French IBAN, invoicing, and tools to estimate cotisations. It keeps the essentials simple for a one-person activity without the overhead of a team account.
Why we recommend it: Built for solo independents and professions libérales, with a French IBAN, invoicing, and tools to estimate cotisations.
Best for: Solo independents and professions libérales without a team
Pros
- +Competitive, low-cost pricing for small businesses
- +French IBAN in the business name
- +Invoicing and cotisation estimates
Cons
- −Fewer team features than Qonto
- −Online only, no branches
- Business débit card (CB)
- Expense tracking for one activity
- Funds held via a partner credit institution
Finom Business Account
Finom combines strong invoicing with cashback on expense cards, suiting small companies that want integrated billing. It offers a European IBAN, multiple cards, and accounting links, with a smooth fully online onboarding.
Why we recommend it: Strong invoicing and cashback on expense cards, well suited to small companies wanting integrated billing and a European IBAN.
Best for: Small companies wanting integrated invoicing and card cashback
Pros
- +Cashback on pro spend with a modern interface
- +Integrated invoicing and billing
- +Multi-currency and multiple cards for a small team
Cons
- −Less established in France than Qonto
- −IBAN may be European rather than FR
- Business débit cards (CB)
- Accounting (compta) integration
- Funds held via a partner credit institution
Propulse by CA
Propulse by CA is a Crédit Agricole-backed pro account for micro-entrepreneurs, pairing a French IBAN with built-in compta and the reassurance of a major French bank. It is a strong middle ground between a fintech and a traditional compte pro.
Why we recommend it: A Crédit Agricole-backed pro account for micro-entrepreneurs, pairing a French IBAN with built-in compta and the trust of a major bank.
Best for: Micro-entrepreneurs who want a fintech app backed by a major bank
Pros
- +French IBAN in the business name
- +Backed by Crédit Agricole
- +Built-in compta and invoicing
Cons
- −Aimed at micro-entrepreneurs, not large teams
- −Monthly subscription applies
- Business débit card (CB)
- Supervised within a major banking group
- ACPR-supervised, FGDR deposit guarantee
Revolut Business
Revolut Business suits multi-currency teams and international payments, with instant expense cards and granular spend controls. It is a strong companion account for cross-border work, though the IBAN may not start with FR on some plans.
Why we recommend it: Best for multi-currency teams and international payments, with instant expense cards and granular spend controls, though IBANs may be non-FR.
Best for: Teams with multi-currency spending and international payments
Pros
- +Multi-currency accounts with competitive FX
- +Strong for international payments and unlimited virtual cards
- +Instant cards with spend controls and expense automation
Cons
- −Customer support can be inconsistent
- −Fits advanced French accounting less neatly
- −IBAN may not start with FR on some plans
- Business cards, Visa or Mastercard
- Accounting integrations and bulk payments
- Deposit guarantee applies in its home EU country
Vivid Business
Vivid is a European pro neobank with an all-in-one account aimed at small and local businesses, pairing expense cards with cashback and multi-currency features. Its French availability and pricing could not be verified in October 2026, so check both before applying.
Why we recommend it: A growing European pro neobank with an all-in-one offering for small businesses; its French availability and pricing could not be verified in October 2026.
Best for: Small and local businesses open to an emerging all-in-one pro account
Pros
- +Strong all-in-one offering for small businesses
- +Expense cards with cashback and multi-currency
- +Fully online onboarding
Cons
- −Least established of the group on the French market
- −Smaller French ecosystem than Qonto or Shine
- Business cards, Visa or Mastercard
- Multi-currency accounts for cross-border spend
- Deposit safeguarding applies via its EU licence
Ranking as of June 2026. Qonto and Shine prices as of October 2026; Blank, Finom, Propulse by CA, Revolut Business and Vivid were not re-priced in the October research, so confirm their current plans.
How do you choose the right pro account?
Choosing the right pro account starts with your legal structure. A micro-entrepreneur or profession libérale can pick a lighter account like Shine, Blank, or Propulse by CA, while a SAS or SARL needs share-capital support, where Qonto fits well. Then compare monthly pricing, included expense cards, and compta and URSSAF integration. Finally, confirm you get a French IBAN if invoices and prélèvements require it.
- Step 1: Identify your legal structure (micro, libérale, SAS, SARL) and its account rules.
- Step 2: Decide if you need a French IBAN for invoices, URSSAF, and prélèvements.
- Step 3: Compare monthly pricing and the number of included expense cards.
- Step 4: Check compta integration and share-capital deposit support if you run a société.
- Step 5: Confirm the provider is supervised by the ACPR or works through a licensed partner.
For a micro-entrepreneur who has just registered, the answer in October 2026 is Shine Free: €0 HT a month and URSSAF integration. Its limit of 5 SEPA transfers a month is the trigger to move to Shine Start or Qonto Basic, which include 30. If you want FGDR protection and a CB card that works at tolls and pumps, BoursoBank Pro costs a flat €9 a month with a Visa Ultim Pro card and 0% FX, but needs French residence.
| Pro account | Monthly price | 24-month cost | Deposit protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shine Free | €0 HT | €0 | Safeguarded, no FGDR |
| Shine Start | €9 HT | €216 HT | Safeguarded, no FGDR |
| Qonto Basic | €9 HT (annual) / €11 HT (monthly) | €216 HT / €264 HT | Safeguarded, no FGDR |
| BoursoBank Pro | €9 | €216 | FGDR up to €100,000 |
| Traditional bank pro account | €17-20 | €408-480 | FGDR up to €100,000 |
Our calculation: monthly price × 24, account fee only (excludes extra transfers and card options), prices as of October 2026.
Are pro accounts and their providers safe?
Yes, when the provider is supervised by the ACPR and the Banque de France. Deposits at a French-licensed bank are protected by the FGDR up to €100,000 per bank, which covers BoursoBank Pro and traditional bank pro accounts. Qonto and Shine are payment institutions: client funds sit in segregated accounts at partner banks. That safeguarding protects your money if the fintech fails, but it is not an FGDR-guaranteed deposit, so large cash reserves are better kept at a bank. The FGDR site lists which institutions it covers.
Keep your business and personal money separate, and treat a compte pro as a compliance tool as much as a convenience. It keeps URSSAF declarations, VAT, and compta clean, and the débit or charge cards simply move your own company funds rather than extending credit.
Sources: ACPR, Banque de France, URSSAF, and the FGDR. Fees as of October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do micro-entrepreneurs need a dedicated pro bank account in France?
It depends on turnover. A dedicated account separate from your personal one is recommended from day one, and as of June 2026 it becomes obligatory once your annual turnover stays above a set threshold for two consecutive years. Companies such as SAS or SARL must hold a pro account from the start. Confirm the current threshold with your bank or URSSAF.
Is a compte pro the same as a business bank account?
A compte pro is a business account that issues an IBAN in your business name, not your personal name. Fintechs like Qonto, Shine, Blank, and Finom offer compte pro services with a French IBAN, expense cards, and accounting integration, while traditional banks like BNP Paribas and Société Générale offer their own comptes pro.
Are business cards from Qonto or Shine credit cards?
No. Most French business cards are débit or charge cards (cartes de débit or cartes à débit différé), not revolving credit. They draw on your account balance, either immediately or settled monthly. They are co-badged with Visa or Mastercard and work worldwide for company spending.
Can a foreigner open a pro account for a French company?
Yes. With a valid ID, proof of address, and your company registration documents (Kbis for a société, or your SIRET as a micro-entrepreneur), you can open a compte pro. Fintechs like Qonto and Shine often onboard fully online, while traditional banks may ask for an in-branch appointment.
Are funds in a French pro account protected?
It depends on the provider. Funds at a French-licensed bank, such as BoursoBank Pro, are protected by the FGDR up to €100,000 per bank. Qonto and Shine are payment institutions: your money is safeguarded in segregated accounts at partner banks, which protects it if the fintech fails, but it is not an FGDR-guaranteed deposit.
Is there a free business account in France?
Yes. Shine Free costs €0 HT a month as of October 2026, the only genuinely free French business account, with 5 SEPA transfers a month and URSSAF cotisation calculation built in. Once you need more transfers, Shine Start costs €9 HT a month and Qonto Basic €9 HT a month on annual billing.
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