Best EUR accounts in France for foreigners

If you’re a foreigner living in France for work or to study, you’ll need a handy EUR account to manage daily spending, bill payments and more. Having a euro account which focuses on international features like holding a multi-currency balance or making payments overseas – as well as day to day EUR uses – can help expats keep up with their money across currencies.

This guide looks at both EUR accounts for day to day use from major banks, and flexible multi-currency options from digital providers like Wise. We’ll cover all you need to know to select the right EUR currency account based on your transaction needs.

What is a EUR currency account?

A EUR currency account is an account which lets you hold euros.

Euro accounts are available as single currency accounts from all French banks. You can also get multi-currency accounts which let you hold EUR as well as foreign currencies, either from banks or specialist providers.

EUR accounts will let you receive EUR payments with local account details, send money in EUR, and get a linked debit card to spend and withdraw euros conveniently. Multi-currency accounts may offer this for EUR – and other currencies, like GBP, USD and AUD, too.

What can you do with a EUR account in France?

You might benefit from a EUR account in France if you’re an expat, international student, frequent traveller, digital nomad, freelancer or business owner. If you live in France, or visit the Eurozone often, having a euro account is a huge benefit – and necessary for some things like accessing local services if you’re an French resident.

For expats, having easy ways to manage EUR alongside their home currency can also be a huge benefit. Here are some common uses for a euro account with international features:

• Hold and convert between EUR and other currencies: If you manage your money across euros, dollars, pounds or other currencies, a multi-currency EUR account makes this simple and allows you to view all your funds in one place.
• Receive payments in EUR: Business owners and freelancers – and anyone who receives payments in euros – could use a EUR account to receive money with local account information, for quick and cheap transfers.
• Send payments in EUR: Whether you’re sending money to a family member or paying a bill, using a EUR account can make the transfer hassle free, and may also cut the costs associated with cross border payments.
• Spend and withdraw EUR: With local banks, and also specialist providers like Wise you can spend with a linked card, online and in person, and get cash whenever you need it.

Types of EUR accounts

EUR accounts in France usually fall into one of two categories. Local, regional and global banks in France offer all their core services in EUR as single currency accounts. Or, you could choose a multi-currency account from a bank or specialist – here’s what you’ll find, alongside a quick introduction to the providers featured in this guide:

Multi currency accounts: Hold EUR and other currencies in a multi-currency account, to view your balance across all currencies and convert between them easily. Multi-currency accounts can support 40+ currencies in some cases, and products from digital first providers like Wise and Revolut also offer linked cards for convenient spending.

• Wise Account: Hold 40+ currencies, and get local account details for receiving 8+ currencies including EUR, and SWIFT details for receiving 20+ currencies easily.
• Revolut Account: Hold 25+ currencies and get local details to receive EUR and GBP, with SWIFT details to receive other supported currencies.

Single currency EUR accounts: EUR accounts are offered by all banks operating in France. These accounts support only 1 currency, and may be a convenient way to spend, hold and send payments in euros, but they may not have multi-currency features for managing your funds across different currencies.

• BNP Paribas EUR Account: Choose the Esprit Libre account package to design your own package based on the services you really need in France
• Credit Agricole EUR Account: Options include low monthly fee products which have per transaction fees, and more expensive packages which include access to free services like international payments

Best EUR currency accounts in France

EUR currency accounts in France are available for individual and business customers. Specialist providers like Wise or Revolut cater to customers looking for flexible account and card services, while banks have a full range of euro products from daily accounts to savings products.

There’s no best EUR account in France as such – you’ll need to compare a few depending on how you expect to transact.

If you prefer face to face service in a branch, a bank might be your best option. Or if you’re looking for an account to hold a selection of currencies for daily use, with a debit card for withdrawals and spending online and in person, a provider like Wise or Revolut may be a better fit.

Here we’ve selected some different providers and banks offering EUR accounts in France, looking at convenience, cost and customer intention.

Read on to learn more about each and how their EUR account in France works.

💡 At a glance
Wise Account	Hold and exchange EUR and 40+ other currencies, spend with a Wise card in 150+ countries, send and receive payments globally in EUR, GBP, USD and more.
Revolut Account	Choose from 4 different account plans which all offer a debit card, and support 25+ currencies for holding and withdrawal. Travel perks available on some account tiers.
BNP Paribas EUR Account	Esprit Libre account allows you to add in a premium card, or upgrade to include insurance and other services, with full EUR account functions as standard
Credit Agricole EUR Account	4 different core EUR account products, starting from 2 EUR a month, to pick the package which best suits your needs

Wise EUR Account

Open a Wise Account online or in the Wise app, for personal or business use, and hold EUR alongside GBP, USD, AUD and 40+ other currencies all in the same account. You can exchange between currencies in the app with the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees, order an optional debit card for spending and cash withdrawals, and send and receive payments globally in EUR and other currencies.

Accounts offer local and SWIFT details to receive payments, with no fee to receive EUR to your Wise account with local details. There’s a small Wise fee to receive EUR SWIFT payments.

• Hold and exchange EUR and 40+ other currencies
• Mid-market currency exchange with low, transparent fees
• Use your Wise card in 150+ countries for spending and cash withdrawals

Account opening fee: No opening fee for personal customers. Business customers pay 50 EUR to get full feature access. No minimum balance

Eligibility criteria: Available to residents of France and many other countries and regions globally

Supported currencies: 40+ currencies, including EUR

Monthly fees: None

Exchange rates: Mid-market exchange rates

Revolut Account

You can open 4 different types of Revolut Account as a personal customer in France, with additional plan options for business customers. As a personal customer you can choose a Standard plan with no monthly fee, or upgrade to a plan with maintenance fees up to 55 EUR/month.

Higher tier plans offer more no fee transactions, discounts and perks – but all accounts have a linked debit card and ways to convert in the account between 25+ currencies including EUR.

• Hold and exchange 25+ currencies in the same account
• Select your account plan based on your transaction needs
• Personal and business services offered

Account opening fee: No opening fee, no minimum balance

Eligibility criteria: Available to residents of France and many other countries and regions globally

Supported currencies: EUR and 25+ other currencies

Monthly fees: Personal customers pay 0 EUR- 55 EUR/month, business customers 10 EUR- 90 EUR/month

Exchange rates: Weekday currency exchange uses the Revolut rate to plan limits. After this fair usage fees of up to 1% may apply depending on plan. Weekend exchange may attract an extra fee up to 1%.

BNP Paribas EUR Account

The BNP Paribas account we’ve picked here is the Esprit Libre (Free Spirit) package, which is described as a customizable and commitment- free offer. You get a debit card as part of the package and can also add in things like insurance, or upgrade your card to a premium option for an extra fee. This means you can build out your perfect account package depending on the services which are important to you.

• Open the ‘Free Spirit’ package and access essential services, then tailor make your package to add in other things you need
• Package comes with a linked debit card for spending and withdrawals
• BNP Paribas also has other options for credit, overdrafts and options add on services

Account opening fee: None

Eligibility criteria: Residents of France

Supported currencies: EUR

Monthly fees: Fees can vary depending on the card you choose and any other optional services you require

Exchange rates: Exchange rates are likely to include a markup

Credit Agricole EUR Account

Credit Agricole’s core EUR account products include 4 different tiers depending on your needs. Options include the Eko account which is digitally based and offers a low fee of 2 EUR/month, with some free services – but costs for things like international transfers outside of the EUR area. Or maybe you prefer the Premium offer at 9 EUR a month which has some free international transfers included in the package.

• Choose the account tier which suits your transaction needs
• All accounts have easy international services including payments and transfers
• Different card options are included in each package

Account opening fee: None

Eligibility criteria: Residents of France

Supported currencies: EUR

Monthly fees: From 2 EUR a month, to 9 EUR for the Premium service

Exchange rates: Exchange rates are likely to include a markup

Fees for EUR accounts in France

While getting a EUR account in France can bring down your overall money management costs, there are likely still to be some fees to pay. As these costs can vary a lot, and may not look like the fees you’re used to in your home country, you’ll need to read your account fee schedule carefully before you transact.

Here are some fees to look out for:

• Monthly maintenance fee: Maintenance or service fees may apply to keep your EUR account open. Where this fee applies you may not be able to avoid it – but providers like Wise don’t charge a maintenance fee.
• ATM withdrawal fees: ATM fees may be waived in network, but can still apply when you visit a different bank or when you travel. Fees may be a flat charge or a percentage of the withdrawn amount. Providers like Wise and Revolut offer some no fee ATM use each month to help you lower your transaction costs.
• Outgoing transfer fees: Sending payments from EUR to other currencies may incur fees, including costs added to the exchange rate used for currency conversion. Compare both the rate and the fee applied before you transact. Providers like Wise can often offer lower overall costs compared to your bank.

How to open a EUR account in France

Once you’re ready to open a EUR account in France you’ll need to take a look at the specific process used by your preferred bank or provider. Banks usually allow you to open online, completing an application and uploading images of your paperwork, before finalizing the opening with an authorised electronic signature.

In pretty much all cases you need a proof of ID for verification. You may also need a proof of address document.

With banks: If you choose a major French bank you can usually open your account online. You’ll complete an application and upload images of your ID document like your passport. You must sign the account contract before you can transact, usually using an authorised digital signature.

With online providers: Specialist providers offer a fully digital application, verification and onboarding experience. All you’ll need is your phone or laptop, and images of the documents required to support your application. Enter your personal and contact details, set a secure password and follow the onscreen instructions.

How to use your EUR account in France

A EUR account in France can bring benefits for personal and business users, including making transacting quicker and cheaper when you need to manage conversions between EUR and other currencies. If you live an international lifestyle, a multi-currency account is a smart way to receive, hold, send or spend all the currencies you need from one account.

Here are some ways expats commonly use their French EUR accounts:

• Send international money transfers: Expats might need to send money overseas from France, or vice versa, to cover bills, mortgage payments or rent for example. A EUR account which has low cost international transfers is a good choice here.
• Hold and exchange EUR and other foreign currencies: Check your EUR and foreign currency balance side by side, convert between currencies when you see a great exchange rate, and build your savings in whichever currency you prefer.
• Receive EUR payments: Get paid by an employer or client in Europe, or if you’re an international student you may want to receive EUR payments from your family or student loan provider. Use the EUR details that come with your account to get your money and then hold it in EUR until you need it.
• Use your debit card for spending and withdrawals: Spend in euros with no additional costs if you hold sufficient EUR balance to cover a payment. Or use your foreign currency account balance when you travel if you have a multi-currency account with a provider like Wise or Revolut, to avoid conversion costs.

Conclusion

Get a EUR account in France from an French bank, or a specialist provider like Wise, or Revolut.

You can find EUR accounts from all French banks which are useful for everyday needs like spending and making payments, and accessing add-on services such as overdrafts, loans and credit.

If you’re thinking more of a euro account with multi-currency features, check out Wise. Wise lets you easily send, spend, receive and hold EUR along with GBP, USD, AUD and 40+ other currencies, all in the same account. With no minimum balance to maintain, and no monthly fee, Wise is an equally good choice for occasional use or for daily spending, depending on what you need.

Useful resources

• Wise – Wise landing page with links to pricing and account features
• Revolut – Revolut landing page for personal pricing plans and feature descriptions
• BNP Paribas – account landing page (French only)
• Credit Agricole – current account landing page for details of account services (French only)

*Checked on 10th December 2025