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What is the best online bank in France for expats?

Soufiane Baba

11.11.25

Read time 3 minutes

Are you looking for a flexible, easy-to-use banking solution in France? Here’s a comparison of the best online banks available, including their fees, advantages, and ideal use cases.

If you often travel or live between countries, a Wise account could be a good option to consider: withdrawals, payments, and transfers are made at the mid-market exchange rate, without hidden fees. Foreign currency transactions are usually cheaper than with traditional banks.

Discover the Wise account

List of online banks in France

Here’s a quick overview of the main online banks available in France, their advantages, and the conditions for opening an account.

Online bank	Advantages	Access conditions for a standard card
BoursoBank (formerly Boursorama)¹	No fees for payments outside the SEPA zone	Ultim and Welcome cards are free with no usage conditions
Fortuneo²	Free premium Mastercard and AmEx options available	FOSFO card free with no income requirements; free payments and withdrawals worldwide
Hello bank!³	Cash deposits available at BNP ATMs	Visa Hello One card free with no income requirements
Monabanq⁴	Cash deposits at CIC, BNP, Crédit Mutuel, and Société Générale ATMs	Visa Classic or prepaid cards free with an individual account
Revolut⁵	Competitive Revolut exchange rate for foreign currency transactions	Revolut card: free with the Standard plan
Monese⁶	Open a free account in GBP, EUR, or RON	Monese card: free with the basic plan
Wise	Mid-market exchange rate on foreign currency transactions; local account details in 8+ currencies	Debit card: €7 delivery fee

Online banks in France: who are the main players?

Subsidiaries of traditional banks

Some online banks are backed by major French banking groups, such as Hello bank! (BNP Paribas) or Monabanq (Crédit Mutuel).

Their main advantage is access to a broader range of financial products — for example, savings accounts, life insurance, and investment services — in addition to a current account with a debit card.

They also provide customer support through physical branches, which can be useful if you need in-person assistance.

However, fees can be higher, especially for foreign currency transactions and some account management services.

100% digital banks (neobanks)

Neobanks offer a completely digital experience, ideal for people who prefer managing everything via their phone or computer.

They are often cheaper than traditional banks, particularly when it comes to payments and transfers. Some, however, reserve the lowest rates for paid subscription plans.

The main downside is the lack of traditional services: no checkbooks, no cash deposits, and limited savings options.

Best online banks in France: how to choose?

Your ideal online bank depends on how you plan to use it. Each one targets different needs.

Below are recommendations based on your profile. You can also check our online bank comparison for more details.

Want simplicity? Choose a free online bank in France

If you just need an everyday account for daily purchases, BoursoBank is a good choice.

With the Welcome and Ultim cards, payments in foreign currencies are free worldwide.¹

Looking for premium services?

If you’re looking for high-end services, Fortuneo stands out by offering several American Express cards to its current account holders.⁷

The Platinum card (€59/month) includes benefits such as a 24/7 concierge, travel and lifestyle insurance, and access to exclusive events.⁷

Fortuneo also provides additional products such as life insurance, mortgages, and savings accounts (Livret A, LDDS).

Still use cash?

If you occasionally deposit or withdraw cash, choose an online bank linked to a traditional banking group.

Hello bank! and Monabanq both let you deposit cash at BNP or CIC ATMs. Another option is EKO, part of Crédit Agricole.

These banks also allow you to order a checkbook — something most neobanks don’t offer.

Travel often?

If you frequently travel abroad — for holidays or work — choose an online bank that offers competitive rates on foreign currency transactions.

With BoursoBank’s Ultim and Welcome cards, you can make payments outside the Eurozone without paying extra fees.¹

Make international transfers frequently?

If you often send or receive money across borders, look for an online bank that uses the mid-market exchange rate for currency conversions.

Revolut, for example, applies its own competitive exchange rate and offers free international transfers with the Ultra plan.⁸

Wise: an ideal alternative for foreign currency payments from France

The Wise account is a practical option for students, professionals, and anyone living in France who frequently travels or works abroad.

Opening an account is free. You’ll receive local account details in 8+ different currencies, allowing you to receive and spend in euros, US dollars, and pounds sterling like a local.

Foreign currency transactions are processed at the mid-market exchange rate, helping you save on transfers, withdrawals, and payments outside the Eurozone.

More information
on the Wise account

Sources:

Last verified on October 18, 2025

This article is a translation of the original article published in French and was translated within 365 days of publication. While the content has been translated for accessibility, the data and sources referenced have not been updated since the original publication date.

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