Banking
France — Banking: International Transfers
Under EU Regulation 2024/886, French banks must be able to send instant euro SEPA credit transfers to all customers who have a standard transfer service, and an instant transfer must cost no more than a standard one, though it is not free, so check your bank's price list. Since 9 October 2025, banks must also run the Verification of Payee check, which warns the sender if the name and account number do not match; it covers both standard and instant SEPA transfers but not international transfers outside SEPA. Savings accounts are excluded from the instant transfer rule. Fees and exchange margins on non-euro transfers are set by each provider.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceBanque de France — virement SEPA instantané; EU Regulation 2024/886Last reviewed: 2026-10-23
Key facts
- French banks must offer instant euro SEPA transfers to customers who have a standard transfer service; the price may not exceed that of a standard transfer.
- Instant transfers are generally charged according to the bank's price list, not free of charge.
- Since 9 October 2025, the Verification of Payee check applies to standard and instant SEPA transfers, not to international transfers outside SEPA.
- Savings accounts are excluded from the instant transfer rule.
Common mistakes
- Assuming instant transfers are free — the rule is that they cost no more than a standard transfer.