How to open a BoursoBank account in France: procedures, fees, and required documents
How to open a BoursoBank (formerly Boursorama Banque) account: how to apply? What documents do I need to provide?
If you live in France and often deal with payments or transfers in foreign currencies, you may already know that the euro isn’t always enough. Whether you’re an individual or a professional, you’ll likely need to send money in another currency at some point.
At BoursoBank (formerly Boursorama), it’s possible to make international currency transfers — but these can be quite costly. Exchange fees, transfer fees, fixed and variable commissions: these can quickly add up. If you frequently need to carry out such transactions from France, opening a multi-currency account could make sense.
But does BoursoBank actually offer this type of account? And what are your alternatives if you live in France and need to manage money in several currencies? Let’s take a closer look.
We’ll also introduce an alternative for managing your payments and currency transfers more efficiently: Wise. Wise offers a low-cost, flexible account that lets you hold, convert, and send money in multiple currencies at the mid-market exchange rate — without hidden markups.
A multi-currency account allows you to manage several currencies from one account. There’s no need to open separate accounts for euros, US dollars, or British pounds — everything is managed in one place.
The main benefit is being able to convert currencies at a low cost before sending your transfer. This helps you avoid high bank conversion fees and limits your exposure to exchange rate fluctuations.
With a multi-currency account, you can also get a debit card that offers preferential rates for payments and withdrawals abroad — ideal if you travel or shop internationally.
This type of account can be useful if you frequently deal in foreign currencies, such as:
Unfortunately, BoursoBank doesn’t currently offer a multi-currency account. If you travel abroad from France, your payments and withdrawals must be made using one of the bank’s Visa cards — WELCOME, ULTIM, FREEDOM, or METAL.
Here are the fees for payments and withdrawals in currencies outside the SEPA zone:¹
| Card type | Withdrawal | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| FREEDOM Card (12–17 years) | 1.69% | Free |
| ULTIM Card | 3 free withdrawals per month, then 1.69% | Free |
| WELCOME Card | 1 free withdrawal per month, then 1.69% | Free |
| METAL Card | Free | Free |
If you need to send or receive money outside the SEPA zone in foreign currencies, the fees are as follows:¹
| Operation type | Fees | Exchange commission | Exchange margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wire transfer issuance | Free | Free | Free |
| Wire transfer receipt | 0.1% (min. €20) | Free | 1% of the applied exchange rate |
Note that the applied exchange rate includes coverage for exchange rate risk, meaning it already has a margin built in.
In recent years, several new financial services have emerged that offer simpler processes and more transparent pricing than traditional banks.
Among them is Wise, which provides a multi-currency account supporting 40+ different currencies, along with a debit card. It’s an interesting option for those in France who regularly send or receive money abroad.
Here are the main features of the Wise account:
If you live in France and often deal with foreign currencies — whether for travel, family, or business — Wise could be a convenient alternative to BoursoBank.
Opening an account is quick and easy: go to the Wise website and sign up using your Facebook or Gmail account. Then complete your details and upload your ID documents. That’s all it takes.
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Last verified on September 09, 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.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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