How to use Wise in France as an expat ? (Account, Card & Transfers)

Wise offers a simpler way to manage your finances internationally. You can send low-cost international transfers, open a multicurrency account, and use a debit card both in France and abroad. This guide will explore these features and more, explaining the benefits of Wise for expats in France.

H2: At a glance: Wise in France

💡 Using Wise in France
Wise money transfers	Send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees.
Wise account	Hold and exchange funds in 40+ currencies, including EUR, USD, GBP, and AUD.
Wise card	Spend in 150+ countries with a debit card and pay directly in the local currency.
Wise business account & card	Pay a one-time fee of 50 EUR to unlock a range of business features, including fast international payments and batch transfers.
Wise large transfers	Send large payments safely and quickly, with discounts on transfers above €22,000 and help available from a dedicated support team.

About Wise

Wise is a global financial service provider that enables users to manage multiple currencies from a single account. You can send, receive, spend, and convert money across borders while paying low and transparent fees. Wise now has 12 million customers worldwide who make use of the range of personal and business features.

For expats in France, Wise offers a convenient and secure way to receive salary payments and pay bills locally while also being able to send money back home or spend abroad without hassle or unnecessary hidden fees. You can manage your account through an easy-to-use app, making money management in your new home stress-free.

How to send money from France with Wise

Wise international transfers from France are quick, safe, low-cost, and convenient. All fees are shown upfront, and transfers are made using the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden conversion fees. You can send money from your account to over 140 countries. Here’s how to send money with Wise:

1. Create or log in to your Wise account: You can log in from the website or the Wise app using your email and password. You’ll need to verify your identity if creating an account and sending money for the first time.
2. Select the “Send” option: Click on the “Send” button to begin your transfer.
3. Add the recipient’s details: You can choose an existing contact or add a new recipient by entering their bank or payment details.
4. Choose the currency and amount: Select the currency you want to send from and to, and then decide either how much you want to send or how much you want the recipient to get. Wise will show you the amount in both currencies, the total fee, the exchange rate, and how long the transfer should take.
5. Choose your payment method: You can pay from your Wise balance, bank account, or card.
6. Review the details and confirm: Wise will show you the details of the transfer, including costs and expected arrival time.
7. Send money: You’ll get confirmation of the transaction upon sending.

You can track the progress of your Wise money transfer in real time through the app or on the website. You’ll also get an instant notification when the money arrives.

How to open a Wise multi-currency account

The Wise multi-currency account is free to open and maintain. You can open an account from France in just a few minutes and manage your international finances from one single place. With a Wise account, you can hold and exchange over 40 currencies at the mid-market rate, and receive international payments in 20 currencies with local or SWIFT account details.

Here are the steps to follow to open an account:

1. Register online or via the Wise app: You can click “Register” or “Open an account” to begin the process.
2. Create your login details: You can sign up using your email address and a secure password.
3. Choose your account type: Select either a personal or business account, and confirm that you live in France.
4. Enter your personal details: Add your name, date of birth, address, and phone number.
5. Verify your phone number and ID: You will receive a security code via text message which you can use to confirm your account. You will also need to upload documents such as valid photo ID and proof of address.
6. Add currencies to your account: Add EUR to open up a Wise euro account balance, plus open balances for any other currencies you use or need.
7. Add money to your account: Top up your Wise balances using your existing bank accounts, credit/debit cards, or other supported payment methods.

How to use a Wise account in France

Opening up your Wise multicurrency account in France will mean that you can keep easy control of both local and international finances. You’ll be able to receive and make payments from your French location, and will be able to move funds between different currencies.

You can use your Wise account to:

• Hold and exchange money in 40+ currencies, converting at the mid-market rate
• Spend with the Wise debit card in 150+ countries
• Receive international payments with account details for 20+ currencies, including EUR, USD, GBP, AUD, and CAD
• Send money from your balance to local and international accounts, usually at a lower cost than bank transfers
• Store funds in multiple currencies
• Shop safely online with digital and virtual cards that you can manage securely from the Wise app
• Earn interest by investing in a fund that holds government‑guaranteed assets. Interest is provided by Wise Assets Europe AS, authorised and regulated as an investment firm by the Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. The value of your investment may go down as well as up. Capital at risk.

How to use Wise to receive money

You can receive money to your Wise account from all over the world. Wise has local account details for 8+ currencies. All you need to do is share your account details, including your Wise IBAN for France. Payments work like a standard bank transfer and it’s free in most currencies, except for USD wires where there is a small fixed fee.

You can also receive money sent through the SWIFT network into your Wise account, using your Wise SWIFT details. SWIFT transfers involve low, fixed fees which vary by currency. This option is useful when the sender’s bank or provider doesn’t support local transfers, or when money is coming from a country without local account details available. Wise has SWIFT details for 20+ currencies.

Once you receive the money, you can hold, convert to another currency, or spend using your Wise card.

How to get a Wise card in France

The Wise debit card is linked directly to your multicurrency account, so you can spend and withdraw money both in France and abroad. You can use the Wise card in more than 150 countries worldwide, making payments from your different currency balances or converting at the mid-market rate. Ordering the card costs a one-time fee of €7.

To order your Wise card in France:

1. Open your Wise account on the website or app.
2. Go to the “Cards” tab and select the option to order the card.
3. Pay the one-time fee of €7.
4. Choose your delivery option. Standard delivery takes up to 14 working days. You can pay an additional fee for express delivery and receive the card within four working days.
5. Activate the card once it arrives by using it for an initial Chip and PIN purchase.

How to use the Wise card in France

You can use your Wise debit card in France to pay your bills, shop online, or pay in-person at shops, restaurants, and other outlets. The card is equipped for contactless payments and can be added to mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can also use the card to withdraw cash from ATMs, with the first €250/month free and small fees applying after that.

In addition to using the card in France, you can also spend and withdraw abroad in other currencies. The card is accepted in over 150 countries and currency conversions are at the mid-market rate. Security features include instant freezing or unfreezing of cards, and the option to get notifications for every transaction.

Using Wise digital cards in France

If you prefer to shop from your phone rather than a physical card, you can order up to three digital (or virtual) cards. These cards have separate numbers from your physical card for added security, and you can freeze and unfreeze them easily between purchases via the Wise app. You can order a digital card as soon as you’ve ordered a physical card by clicking on the “Get a digital card” option in the app.

Using Wise Business Account in France

In addition to the Wise personal account, you can also open up a Wise Business Account. This is ideal for freelancers, entrepreneurs, startups, and larger businesses in France. The Business Account has many of the same features as the personal account, including the ability to hold, send, and receive money in multiple currencies, convert using the mid-market rate, and use multicurrency debit cards.

Opening a Wise Business Account in France can be done in a matter of minutes. Simply register and verify your business details and pay the one-time fee of 50 EUR. You can then order your Wise Business Card. Once you have opened the account, you will be able to:

• Get paid like a local: You can accept payments in currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, and other major currencies with no hidden markup fees.
• Make quick international payments: Send money to 140+ countries, with 70% arriving within 20 seconds and 95% within 24 hours.
• Hold and convert funds in multiple currencies: Your account can deal with 40+ currencies, so you won’t need a separate business account in each country you operate in.
• Use a variety of payment tools: These include creating invoices, sending payment links, and receiving transfers from clients using local account details.
• Make batch transfers: Pay up to 1,000 contacts in a single click.
• Sync with your accounting software: Your Wise Business Account can sync with a variety of software programs in France.
• Manage your team’s finances: Issue debit cards to team members and control spending limits.
• Benefit from volume discounts: Wise offers fee discounts on large transfers over GBP 20,000 equivalent. Check current pricing and eligibility.

Wise large‑amount transfers from France

With Wise, you can make large transfers to and from France for things such as property purchases or inheritance payouts. Exchange rate markups remain the same, involving the mid-market rate and transparent pricing.

You will also benefit from automatic volume discounts when you send money from France with Wise, with reduced fees when you send the equivalent of €22,000 or more in a single payment or over multiple transfers within a month. There is a dedicated large transfer support team on hand who can assist with verification, compliance checks, and any questions you may have during the process.

Is Wise safe in France?

Wise uses up-to-date technology and advanced security measures to protect its customers money and personal details. Dedicated anti-fraud and security teams are on hand to monitor transactions, and help is available 24/7 if needed. Key security measures include:

• Two-step authentication to prove your identity when you use the account
• Biometrics and encryption in the app, using your phone’s in-built security protection
• Real-time transaction notifications to help you keep track of payments from your account
• Instant freeze option if your card is lost or stolen
• Customisable privacy controls to hide currencies, manage location permissions, and set auto logout
• Unique digital cards with separate details from your physical card

Is Wise regulated in France?

Wise is not a bank. We are an authorised payment institution. Wise operates in France under Wise Europe SA, a payment institution supervised by the National Bank of Belgium. The company is incorporated in Belgium and has passporting rights across the European Economic Area (EEA), allowing it to provide services throughout the region.

How to contact Wise customer service in France

Wise provides dedicated support for personal and business customers in France, with services available 24/7 in English. You can contact the team in a variety of ways:

• Help centre: You can explore a variety of topics to get answers to common problems, or log in to your account for personalized support.
• Support via the Wise app: Log in to your account on the app and select “Help” for support options.
• Chat or email: Contact the support team directly through live chat or email after logging in.
• Phone support: Call a member of the team using the number on your local help page.

Useful resources

• Wise money transfers (FR) – Start international transfers from France and see available routes and options.
• How to send money with Wise (Help) – Step‑by‑step guide to creating, funding, and tracking a transfer.
• Wise account (FR) – Open and manage a multi‑currency account; hold and convert multiple currencies.
• Wise card (FR) – Order and use the Wise debit card in France and abroad; spending and ATM usage overview.
• Wise virtual cards (FR) – Create and manage digital cards for secure online spending.
• Receive money to Wise (FR) – How to receive payments with local account details and via SWIFT.
• Pricing to receive money (FR) – Fees and details for receiving transfers (including SWIFT and USD wires).
• Wise large‑amount transfers (FR) – Guidance and support for high‑value transfers to/from France.
• Wise Business account (FR) – Open a business account to hold, send, and receive in multiple currencies.
• Wise Business card (FR) – Issue business debit cards for you and your team.
• Accounting software integrations (FR) – Connect Wise Business with leading accounting tools.
• Manage team spending (FR) – Add team members, issue cards, and set spending controls.
• Wise safety and security (FR) – Learn about security features, encryption, and fraud protection.
• Wise Help Centre – Search help topics, contact support, and get account assistance.
• Freelancing in France (Expatica) – Overview of self‑employment for expats.
• Starting a business in France (Expatica) – Steps and considerations for launching a company in France.