Payments with Lydia in France: how to make them and how much do they cost?

In this guide, you’ll find out how to make card payments or transfers with Lydia, as well as details about its fees and subscription plans. Note that the company now offers Sumeria, an account with a debit card.

Sumeria does not allow you to send or receive foreign currency transfers. To send money abroad from France, use Wise. With the mid-market exchange rate, your transfers could cost less than with most traditional banks.

Discover the Wise account

Lydia payments: how to pay and make transfers?

Card payments

Sumeria (Lydia’s card account) offers three Visa Debit cards that can be used worldwide: the Basic card (free), the Standard card (€3.90/month), and the Black card (€9.90/month). Depending on your choice, payment and withdrawal limits will vary.¹

All three cards are available to anyone aged 18 or over with a French phone number and a verified profile. There are no income, deposit, or banking status requirements.¹

Ordering your card

Once your Sumeria account is created, go to the “Cards” tab, then click “Order card”. Follow the on-screen instructions and choose your PIN. The card is delivered within around 10 business days.³

Activating your Sumeria card

When you receive your card, log in to the app and go to “Communication”. Tap the card-related notification and enter the 10 digits on the back of your card. Your card is now activated and ready to use.²

Important things to know before using your card

Certain conditions must be met before you can use your Sumeria card:²

• Your account must be funded. Card payments are deducted directly from your Sumeria balance, so make sure you transfer money to your account before making a purchase. If you don’t have sufficient funds, your payment will be declined.
• Your account must be “Verified”. To obtain this status, you’ll need to provide an ID and a short video selfie (or link your existing bank account).
• You must accept the card’s terms of use before activating it.

Contactless mobile payments with Sumeria

Contactless payment lets you pay with your phone without taking out your card.
You can connect Sumeria to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, then add your physical or virtual card.

Once connected, you’ll be able to make contactless payments anywhere that supports these services.²

Online payments with a virtual card

Sumeria also lets you create virtual bank cards for secure online purchases.
Log in to the app, go to the card section, tap “+” and then “Create an internet card.”

Once created, copy and paste the card details (numbers and CVV) into the payment form. On mobile, a button lets you copy details easily; on desktop, you’ll need to reveal them first.²

Transfers to a bank account

To send money from your Sumeria account to another bank account, first link your bank details in the app.
Go to your profile, open “IBAN & beneficiaries,” and add the recipient’s details. Then go to your Sumeria account balance and select “Transfer” → “To a bank account.”

Enter the amount, recipient’s IBAN, and confirm the transfer.

Transfers are instant by default (if the receiving bank supports instant payments). Otherwise, expect a delay of 2–3 business days.²

Note: Sumeria only supports euro transfers. You cannot make or receive payments in foreign currencies.²

How to cancel a Sumeria payment

If you sent the payment

If you sent money to another individual, you can’t cancel it once it’s been completed. However, the recipient can return the funds by making a transfer back to you.

If the recipient doesn’t have a Lydia account, your payment will remain pending for 7 days. If they haven’t created an account or entered bank details by the 8th day, the money will automatically be refunded to you. In this case, you can cancel the payment manually from your transaction history.²

If you received the payment

To cancel a payment you’ve received, go to your transaction history and click “Cancel and refund this payment.” You can also send the funds back manually via a new transfer.

Sumeria payments: fees to expect

Subscription prices

Card prices

Withdrawal, payment, and transfer limits

For foreign currency transactions, Lydia applies the Visa exchange rate at the time of processing.³

Sumeria payments (formerly Lydia): FAQ

How much do the different Sumeria cards cost?

With the Basic card, the first card is free (€5 for replacements).
For the Standard card, the first card is also free, then €7 for replacements.
For the Black card, the first card is free, then €9 for replacements.¹

All Sumeria cards work anywhere in the Visa network worldwide.

Can you make bank transfers with Sumeria?

Yes — you can send money to any bank account in the Eurozone. Similarly, you can receive transfers from any Eurozone country.
However, foreign currency transfers are not supported.²

What online payment methods does Sumeria offer?

You can pay online using a virtual card, which can be created directly in the app for free.
Alternatively, you can send transfers to Eurozone bank accounts.

How to pay in stores with Sumeria

To pay in shops or withdraw cash, use your Sumeria debit card (Basic, Standard, or Black).
After activating your card, you can link it to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay for contactless payments.

Make your international transfers with Wise from France

To send money in foreign currencies, use the Wise account. Opening an account is free, and there are no monthly fees.

Fees are transparent and always shown upfront before each transaction.

Transfers are made using the mid-market exchange rate, without hidden markups that traditional banks often apply.

More information about
the Wise account

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.