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Banking and Sending Money from France

Send money home, ask about fees and exchange rates, get your RIB and settle up with friends on a payment app.

In France your RIB (relevé d'identité bancaire), the slip with your IBAN and BIC, is asked for by employers, landlords and the CAF, so it's the first thing to get from your bank. Transfers within the euro zone are cheap SEPA transfers, but sending money outside it costs fees and an exchange-rate margin, which is why many expats compare their bank with online services. Rent and bills usually go out by prélèvement (direct debit), and friends pay each other back with apps like Lydia or Wero.

Close-up of house keys, euro bills, and charts symbolizing real estate investment and finance.
Photo: Jakub Zerdzicki on Pexels
  1. 1

    Je dois envoyer de l'argent à ma famille à l'étranger.

    I need to send money to my family abroad.

  2. 2

    Quels sont les frais pour un virement international ?

    What are the fees for an international transfer?

  3. 3

    Quel taux de change vous appliquez ?

    What exchange rate do you apply?

  4. 4

    Ça met combien de temps pour arriver ?

    How long does it take to arrive?

  5. 5

    En général, deux ou trois jours ouvrés.

    Usually two or three working days.

  6. 6

    Il me faut l'IBAN et le BIC de la banque du bénéficiaire.

    I need the IBAN and BIC of the recipient's bank.

  7. 7

    Vous pouvez me donner un RIB ?

    Could you give me my bank details slip?

    Tip: Landlords, employers and the family benefits office will all ask you for this slip.

  8. 8

    Est-ce que je peux mettre en place un virement permanent ?

    Can I set up a standing order?

  9. 9

    Je peux le faire moi-même depuis l'appli ?

    Can I do it myself in the app?

  10. 10

    Vous recevrez un code par SMS pour valider.

    You'll get a code by text to confirm it.

  11. 11

    Il y a un plafond pour les virements ?

    Is there a limit on transfers?

  12. 12

    Ça coûte les yeux de la tête avec la banque.

    With the bank, it costs an arm and a leg.

  13. 13

    Le distributeur m'a pris 3 € pour retirer de l'argent.

    The cash machine charged me 3 euros to take out money.

  14. 14

    Hors zone euro, il y a des frais sur chaque paiement.

    Outside the euro zone, there are fees on every payment.

  15. 15

    Envoie-le-moi sur Lydia.

    Just send it to me on Lydia.

    Tip: A payment app many French friends use to split bills.

  16. 16

    Je te rembourse demain.

    I'll pay you back tomorrow.

  17. 17

    Mon loyer est prélevé automatiquement.

    My rent goes out by direct debit.

  18. 18

    L'argent est bien arrivé ?

    Did the money arrive all right?

  19. 19

    Il y a un moyen moins cher ?

    Is there a cheaper way?

  20. 20

    Je voudrais un rendez-vous avec mon conseiller.

    I'd like an appointment with my adviser.