Opening a GBP account in France lets you hold and use British pounds alongside euros and is helpful if you receive a UK pension, get paid in GBP, or travel regularly between the UK and France. Instead of paying conversion fees every time, you can keep your pounds in one place and switch to euros only when you need to. Alongside banks, digital providers like Wise offer multi-currency accounts that let you manage GBP and other currencies with transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rate.

What is a GBP currency account?

Put simply, a GBP account is a type of foreign currency account that lets you hold, send and receive money in British pounds while living in France. It works like a regular bank account, but instead of only being in euros, it gives you the flexibility to manage pounds directly, helping to reduce exchange costs and making it simpler to manage cross-border income, savings, or payments.

What can you do with a GBP account in France?

A GBP account in France can make everyday money management easier for expats and international residents. Here are just some ways you might want to use your new British Pound account:

• Receive a UK salary or pension: Get paid directly in GBP without losing money to conversion fees every time a payment arrives.
• Pay UK bills from France: Keep up with mortgage payments, subscriptions, or other UK-based expenses while living abroad.
• Send money back to the UK: Transfer GBP to family and friends or even your own UK account without converting into euros first.
• Spend in the UK or online: Use your account and linked card when travelling back to the UK or shopping online with UK retailers.
• Save and exchange when rates are good: Hold pounds securely in your account and convert to euros only when the exchange rate works in your favour. Providers like Wise make this simple by using the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees.

Types of GBP accounts

Here are the most common types of GBP accounts you’ll find in the French market:

Multi currency accounts: These accounts let you hold GBP alongside euros and other currencies in one place, making them flexible for anyone managing international finances.

• Wise: Hold GBP and 40+ other currencies, send money to 140+ countries, and spend in 150+ countries with the Wise debit card.
• Revolut: Offers GBP and multi-currency accounts with budgeting tools and international spending options.
• Payoneer: Popular with freelancers and businesses, allowing you to receive GBP payments from clients and platforms abroad.

Foreign currency accounts: Foreign currency accounts usually focus on one main currency, such as GBP, and are often used by people who want to save, invest, or make payments in that specific currency. They can be useful for anyone with ongoing commitments in pounds, even while living in France.

• CA Britline (Crédit Agricole) Sterling Account: Lets you hold GBP alongside your euro account, with a minimum opening balance of £1,000. Managed by an English-speaking team, it’s designed for expats who want to hold pounds until the right time to convert into euros.
• HSBC Expat: Provides accounts in GBP, EUR and USD that remain with you no matter how often you relocate. Customers also get access to Global Money, where you can hold 19 major currencies in one place and send international payments between HSBC accounts without extra fees.

Best GBP currency accounts in France

Expats in France can choose between a foreign currency account from a French bank, or with a multi-currency account from an online provider. Banks like Crédit Agricole offer GBP accounts that let you hold and pay in pounds, which can be useful for savings or larger transfers and often offer some interest on balances.

If your priority is everyday spending and quick currency exchange, digital providers such as Wise or Revolut make things easier. Their accounts let you hold multiple currencies at once, use the mid-market exchange rate for conversions, and spend abroad with a linked debit card.

The best GBP account, however, depends on what you need most. Some people prefer the stability of a bank account with options to save in pounds, while others value the flexibility of an online wallet for travel or daily expenses. 

We’ve chosen providers based on supported currencies, ease of use, fees, and availability for non-residents. Below you’ll find a summary of each option, followed by more detail to help you decide which works best for you.

	💡 At a glance
Wise	Hold and exchange GBP and 40+ other currencies, spend with the Wise Multi-Currency Card in 150+ countries, and receive payments globally with local GBP account details.
Revolut Account	Choose from 4 different account plans, which all offer a linked debit card. Hold and exchange 30+ currencies, including GBP and EUR, with extra perks on higher tiers.
CA Britline (Crédit Agricole) Sterling Account	Open a GBP account alongside your euro current account. Managed by an English-speaking expat-focused team, hold pounds until you want to convert to euros.
HSBC Expat Account	Open an account in GBP, USD, or EUR and access Global Money to hold 19 currencies and send fee-free international transfers between HSBC accounts.
Payoneer Account	Freelancers and small businesses can receive GBP and other major currencies with local account details, hold balances, and spend worldwide using the Payoneer Mastercard.

Wise account

Wise makes it simple to manage pounds while living in France. You can hold GBP alongside more than 40 other currencies in one account, convert between them at the mid-market rate, and use the Wise debit card for everyday spending or ATM withdrawals in 150+ countries. GBP account details (a sort code and account number) are included, so you can receive payments in pounds without paying extra fees.

• Hold and exchange GBP and 40+ currencies with low, transparent fees starting from 0.47%
• Local account details for GBP, EUR and other currencies to send and receive payments easily
• Use the Wise debit card for purchases and withdrawals abroad with no foreign transaction fee

Account opening fee: No opening fee for personal customers. Business customers pay 50 EUR to unlock full features. 

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

Support currencies: 40+ including GBP, EUR, USD and more

Monthly fees: None

Exchange rates: The mid-market rate 

Revolut account

Revolut offers digital accounts with options to suit different budgets. You can start with a free Standard account, or upgrade to Plus, Premium, Metal or Ultra plans for extra benefits like higher fee-free currency limits, travel insurance and lounge access. All accounts come with a debit card and the ability to hold and spend in over 30 currencies, including GBP and EUR. Currency conversion is free up to your plan’s limit, with small fees once you exceed it.

• Debit card included with every plan
• Hold and exchange GBP, EUR, and other major currencies
• Travel perks and higher allowances on paid plans

Account opening fee: None

Eligibility criteria: Available to residents of France and other supported countries over the age of 18

Support currencies: 30+ including GBP, EUR and USD

Monthly fees: Free for Standard plans and €3.99–€45 for higher tiers

Exchange rates: Interbank rates during the week up to allowance; 0.5% fee beyond; +1% on weekends

CA Britline (Crédit Agricole) Sterling Account

CA Britline is a branch of Crédit Agricole Normandie, created specifically to support English-speaking expats in France and the UK. You can open a sterling (GBP) account alongside your euro current account, making it easier to manage finances on both sides of the Channel. The account is designed for people who want to hold funds in pounds until the right time to convert into euros, with bilingual support available every step of the way.

• Dedicated English-speaking team familiar with UK–France expat life
• Sterling account linked to your euro account for transfers when needed
• No monthly fee for holding a GBP account

Account opening fee: None, though a minimum opening balance of £1,000 is required (paid by cheque, transfer, or euro conversion)

Eligibility criteria: Not stated online – contact CA Britline for more details

Support currencies: GBP (Sterling) alongside EUR in your linked account

Monthly fees: None for holding a sterling account; standard euro account handling is €1.20/month (€14.40/year)

Exchange rates: Transfers between sterling and euro accounts use Crédit Agricole’s commercial rate of the day; “on the spot” trading can be arranged for amounts above £25,000

HSBC Expat Account

HSBC Expat is built for internationally mobile clients who want a stable account in GBP, USD, or EUR. Once open, the account stays with you wherever you move, giving you access to HSBC’s global services, specialist expat support, and the option to open savings or investment products. 

Expat customers can also access HSBC Global Money, which lets you hold 19 currencies in one place and send fee-free international transfers between HSBC accounts. The account is best suited to higher earners, as eligibility depends on meeting income, savings, or existing Premier status requirements.

• Hold and manage GBP, USD, or EUR accounts worldwide
• Access Global Money to hold 19 currencies and move money easily
• Expat relationship managers and tailored banking support

Account opening fee: None
Eligibility criteria: Applicants need to have £75,000+ in savings, or £120,000+ annual income, or an existing HSBC Premier status
Supported currencies: GBP, USD, EUR (with access to 19 currencies in the Global Money account)
Monthly fees: None if requirements are met
Exchange rates: HSBC rates, which include a markup.

Payoneer Account

If you’re a freelancer or small businesses earning from abroad, the Payoneer multi-currency account may be for you. You’ll get local account details in multiple currencies, including a UK sort code, account number and IBAN for GBP, so you can receive payments from clients or marketplaces in their own currency. Balances can be quickly converted at real-time rates with a small fee, or withdrawn to your French bank account and in 190+ other countries. A Payoneer Mastercard is also available for easy spending worldwide and you’ll get access to help and multi-language support in 22+ languages.

• Receive GBP, USD, EUR, JPY and more with local bank details
• Hold balances in multiple currencies and convert at low cost
• Spend directly with the Payoneer Mastercard

Account opening fee: In certain countries a registration fee may apply for certain account types

Eligibility criteria: Available to individuals aged 18 and over and businesses worldwide

Support currencies: GBP, EUR, USD, JPY, CAD, AUD and more

Monthly fees: There are no monthly fees but an annual 29.95 USD fee applies to accounts that receive less than 2,000 USD (or the currency equivalent) over the space of a year.

Exchange rates: Markup on the mid-market rate with a 0.5% conversion fee.

Fees for GBP accounts in France

Pricing can vary quite a bit depending on whether you’re using a digital provider or a traditional bank, so it’s always good to read the fee schedule carefully before you commit to an account. Here are the key fees to watch out for:

Account opening fee: A one-time charge that some banks apply for setting up a new account. French banks such as CA Britline (Crédit Agricole) may require a minimum deposit to get started, while providers like Wise, Revolut and Payoneer usually let you open an account without paying anything upfront.

Monthly maintenance or service fee: Traditional banks sometimes charge a monthly fee unless you maintain a certain balance. Digital providers such as Wise and Payoneer generally don’t have maintenance fees, which makes them easier to manage if you just need flexibility for everyday spending.

ATM withdrawal fee: Using ATMs abroad can come with costs. Wise includes two no-fee withdrawals up to 100 USD each month, with a small charge after that. Revolut offers 5 withdrawals a month without fees on Standard Plans and local French bank accounts may also include free euro withdrawals, but charges usually apply for foreign currency withdrawals.

Foreign transaction fee: Many banks add a charge of around 3% when you spend in a currency you don’t hold. Digital providers avoid this by letting you pay directly from your GBP balance or by applying lower, transparent fees when conversion is needed.

Currency conversion fee / exchange rate markup: Banks often add a margin to the exchange rate, which can make international payments more expensive. Wise  uses the mid-market rate and applies only a small clear fee to help your money go further.

Wire or bank transfer fee: Sending GBP to another country through a bank may mean both a fixed fee and a marked-up exchange rate. By contrast, services like HSBC Expat allow free transfers between HSBC accounts in different currencies, which can be useful if you already bank with them.

How to open a GBP account in France

The exact process of opening a GBP account in France depends on whether you go through a bank or choose an online provider. However, the main steps are quite similar, and you’ll usually be asked for identification and proof of where you live, and in some cases, details about your income.

Opening a GBP account with banks in France: If you go through a French bank, you might need to arrange an appointment in the branch. Be prepared to bring your passport or residence permit, proof of your French address and sometimes payslips or tax papers. 

Non-residents may be able to open a GBP account too, though banks often ask for extra paperwork. Once you’re set up, your GBP account is usually connected to your euro account, which makes moving money between the two much easier.

Opening a GBP account with online providers: If you’d rather keep things simple, online providers such as Wise, Revolut, or Payoneer let you do everything from your phone or laptop. Signing up is usually as quick as entering your email or mobile number, uploading a photo of your ID and confirming your address with a document like a bill or bank statement. 

Approval is often fast, and you can start holding and spending GBP straight away. Many providers also offer a debit card, so you can pay in pounds directly or withdraw from ATMs abroad without the paperwork you’d face at a bank.

How to use your GBP account in France

A GBP account in France can be far more than just a place to keep your pounds. For expats, it makes cross-border life smoother, letting you stay in control while you get paid, cover bills, or manage savings in different currencies.

Here are some of the most common ways you can put your GBP account to use:

• Send money internationally: Move money easily between your UK and French accounts, or send to friends and family in other countries. Wise, for example, lets you send GBP to 140+ countries with low transparent fees.
• Hold and exchange currencies: Keep your pounds safe until the exchange rate looks good, then switch to euros or another currency when it benefits you most. Wise gives you the mid-market exchange rate without hidden markups.
• Receive payments in GBP: If you earn a UK salary, pension, or freelance income, local GBP account details mean you can be paid in pounds without expensive conversion costs.
• Spend and withdraw abroad: Linked debit cards from providers like Wise or Revolut allow you to pay in GBP, EUR, or other currencies you hold, and withdraw cash from ATMs when you are travelling.
• Pay bills and subscriptions: Settle UK-based subscriptions such as streaming services or online memberships directly in GBP, while using euros for your French bills, all from the same account.
• Support business or freelance work: If you invoice international clients, platforms like Payoneer let you receive GBP and other currencies through dedicated account details, then withdraw or spend funds globally.

Conclusion

As an expat in France, you have a choice between opening a GBP account with a French bank or using an online provider like Wise, Revolut, or Payoneer. 

If your focus is on saving or want the familiarity of an established bank, a sterling account with CA Britline or HSBC France could be the right fit, often with in-branch support and access to international services. If you want an everyday account that lets you send, spend, receive and hold GBP alongside other currencies, providers like Wise and Revolut are usually better suited.

Wise in particular offers a convenient solution, letting you hold GBP alongside 40+ currencies, move money at the mid-market exchange rate, and spend or withdraw worldwide with the Wise debit card. For many expats, it’s an easy way to manage life and finances between countries without the extra hassle of hidden fees.

Open a Wise Account today and take the stress out of managing your money between the UK, France and beyond.

Useful resources

Wise – Open a multi-currency account to hold GBP and 40+ currencies, send money to 140+ countries, and spend globally with the Wise debit card (checked September 2025).

Revolut – Digital accounts with debit cards, budgeting tools, and support for 25+ currencies including GBP (checked September 2025).

CA Britline – Crédit Agricole’s English-speaking branch offering sterling accounts and support for expats in France (checked September 2025).

HSBC Expat – International accounts in GBP, EUR and USD with global banking services for internationally mobile clients (checked September 2025).

Payoneer – Online accounts designed for freelancers and small businesses to receive and hold GBP and other currencies with local account details (checked September 2025).