Finance FAQs

P2P payments in France: how they work and which apps to use

Soufiane Baba

11.11.25

Read time 3 minutes

Peer-to-peer (P2P) payments or transfers let you send and receive money instantly using just a phone number or email address. This quick and convenient method has become increasingly popular across France — and once people try it, they rarely go back.

But how does a P2P payment actually work? What are the costs, pros, and cons? And which apps support P2P transfers in France? Here’s everything you need to know.

With Wise, you can send and receive money worldwide with low fees and benefit from the mid-market exchange rate — without hidden markups. The Wise account lets you hold 40+ currencies and access account details in 8+ currencies. Plus, it’s free to open.

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What is a P2P transfer or payment?

A P2P transfer is a payment solution that lets you send or receive money through a mobile app, using the recipient’s phone number or email address.

Unlike traditional bank transfers, P2P payments don’t require the recipient’s bank details (IBAN or RIB). This simplicity makes P2P one of the most convenient ways to exchange money between friends, family, or even small businesses.

How does a P2P bank transfer work?

The main advantage of P2P payments is their ease of use. Once you create an account with a P2P app and link your bank account or card, you can send money to other users in just a few taps.

To make a payment:

Open your app and select the contact (by phone number or email).
Enter the amount to send.
Confirm the transaction.

You can also receive payments in the same way — no need to share sensitive banking details.

How much does a P2P transfer cost?

Most P2P transfers between users of the same app are free, especially when linked to a bank account or debit card. Apps like Revolut, Payoneer, Paysera, and Skrill typically charge no transfer fees.

However, some services may apply small commissions for specific transfers, added security, or instant delivery options.

Transfer times vary, but on average, receiving money can take up to three business days — unless you choose a paid instant transfer option.

Are P2P payments secure?

Yes, P2P payments are highly secure. Leading apps follow strict international and European financial regulations, using encryption and fraud monitoring to protect users.

That said, you should still follow some best practices:

Use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication.
Only send money to people you know.
Keep your app up to date to avoid security vulnerabilities.

When used responsibly, P2P transfers are as safe as any other payment method.

The pros and cons of P2P payments

Advantages

Fast, simple, and secure.
Payments can be made with just a phone number or email address.
Most transfers are free between users of the same app.
Increased privacy: your bank details aren’t shared with third parties.

Disadvantages

Transfers can take up to three working days.
Some apps charge small fees or apply limits.
Most P2P apps don’t allow international transfers.

If you want to send money abroad just as easily, open a Wise account. You can hold 40+ currencies and get account details in 8+ currencies, all while using the mid-market exchange rate — without hidden markups.

The best P2P payment apps in France

PayPal

PayPal is one of the world’s most used e-wallets, allowing users to send and receive money in multiple currencies.¹
Transfers are quick, but fees — especially for international transactions — can be quite high.¹

Google Pay

Available in France since 2018, Google Pay allows Android users to send, receive, and store money securely. Its integration with the Google ecosystem makes it a convenient P2P option.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay is Apple’s P2P payment solution, allowing iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users to pay or transfer money via iOS and Safari.
It’s available in France and supports contactless payments and peer-to-peer transfers within Apple’s ecosystem.

Facebook Pay

Facebook Pay allows users to send money through Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, or Portal.
It’s particularly useful for payments between friends and family — and for merchants selling products through Facebook’s platforms.

Wise: an easy, low-cost way to send and receive money worldwide

With a Wise account, you can send money to 140+ countries and receive payments in 8+ currencies, including euros, pounds, and dollars.

Wise transfers are fast and transparent, with fees based on the mid-market exchange rate — never marked up.

You can also order a Wise debit card to make payments in 150+ countries and withdraw cash from over 2.3 million ATMs globally.

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Source:

PayPal Fees

Last verified on October 12, 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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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.