Personal Finance Money transfer

Instant transfer limit in France: what is the maximum amount?

Soufiane Baba

11.11.25

Read time 2 minutes

Instant transfers are fast and convenient, but they are subject to a maximum limit that cannot be exceeded. So, what are the limits applied by major French banks? Can they be increased, and how? Let’s find out.

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You can hold and manage 40+ currencies, and convert them instantly via the Wise web platform or mobile app.

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Instant transfer limits: what you need to know

Until October 5, 2025, the Banque de France recommended a limit of €100,000 for instant SEPA transfers — but banks were never legally required to follow it.¹

For security reasons, French banks generally set much lower limits, typically ranging from €2,000 to €15,000 per transaction and per day, depending on the bank.

Knowing your bank’s instant transfer limits is essential. If you try to send an amount above the limit, your transfer will be automatically rejected or blocked.

To send larger amounts, you can request an increase to your transfer limit. Most banks allow this adjustment upon request.

If you pay from your Wise account, you can send up to 20 million EUR per transfer.
Learn more →

Instant transfer limits at major French banks

Here are the typical limits applied to instant transfers at major banks in France:

Crédit Agricole: €500 per transaction and per day.²
La Banque Postale: €5,000 per transaction and per day.³
BoursoBank (formerly Boursorama): €5,000 per transaction and per day.⁴
Société Générale: the limit follows guidelines set by the European Payments Council (EPC).⁵

Please note: these figures are indicative and may change. Always confirm the current limits directly with your bank.

How to increase your instant transfer limit

If your current limit doesn’t meet your needs, you can ask your bank to raise it.

Simply contact your banking advisor and explain the reason for your request. Most French banks allow you to make this change remotely — via phone, online banking, or the mobile app.

Depending on your financial profile and the amount requested, your bank may require supporting documents or additional verification before approving the new limit.

Instant transfer limit in France FAQ

Why make an instant transfer?

Instant transfers are extremely fast — the recipient usually receives the funds within 20 seconds.

Why are instant transfer limits relatively low?

Even though the Banque de France authorized instant transfers up to €100,000, most banks keep their limits lower for security reasons, including fraud prevention and system protection.

Can I make an instant transfer online?

Yes. Many banks let you make instant transfers directly through your online account or mobile app. However, note that online limits are sometimes lower than those applied in-branch.

Do all banks offer instant transfers?

Not all French banks provide this service. If you need to send money instantly, check that your chosen bank supports SEPA instant transfers before opening an account.

With Wise, send money from France to 140+ countries

If you’re in France and want to send money domestically or abroad, Wise offers a convenient and low-cost solution for both SEPA and international transfers.

It’s simple — manage 40+ currencies directly from your smartphone.
It’s affordable — Wise always applies the mid-market rate, while most traditional banks add hidden markups.

With Wise, you can send money easily, instantly, and at a fair cost.

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Sources:

Last verified on October 8, 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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