Société Générale International Option: offers, rates, and fees for expats in France

Through its Jazz option (now called Sobrio), Société Générale customers with travel or expatriation plans can benefit from preferential rates on foreign currency operations. The Sobrio International option is available in several tiers — Initial, Intense, Illimité, and Étudiants — depending on your age and banking needs.¹

While these offers are flexible, they can also be costly. As with most traditional banks, Société Générale charges a monthly fee and applies a marked-up exchange rate on most currency transactions.¹

In recent years, new providers have emerged with more transparent pricing. Wise is one example: it allows users to convert currencies at the mid-market exchange rate, with no monthly account maintenance fees.

Discover the Wise account

Comparison of international banking fees

The table below compares Société Générale’s Sobrio International offer for customers aged 18+ with Wise’s multi-currency account:¹

Data verified on September 19, 2025, based on Société Générale’s tariff brochure and Wise’s pricing page.

Without monthly or annual fees, the Wise debit card is a practical option for frequent travellers and expats. It allows you to pay and withdraw money in most countries at the mid-market rate, avoiding unnecessary markups and saving money long-term.

Société Générale international option: what does it cost?

Fees for Société Générale’s Sobrio International offer vary by plan:¹

• Initial (€10/month): 6 payments and 2 withdrawals with no fees.
• Intense (€17.50/month): Unlimited payments and withdrawals with no fees.
• Illimité (€25/month): Unlimited payments and withdrawals with no fees.
• Students under 30 (€2/month): Unlimited payments and withdrawals with no fees.

Discounts are available depending on age:¹

• 18–24 years old: 50% off.
• 25–29 years old: 20% off.
• Banque Française Mutualiste (25–34 years old): 50% off.
• Sobrio Duo/Jazz Duo: 30% off.

Transfer fees depend on several factors, including the method (online or in-branch), the type of fee, and the amount transferred. These fees are subject to change.

Online international transfers:¹

In-branch international transfers:¹

Learn more about international transfers with Société Générale →

FAQ: understanding Société Générale’s international option

How does the Jazz (Sobrio) International option work?

The Jazz International (now Sobrio International) option is an add-on to the classic Sobrio account. It starts from €2/month for students and €10/month for non-students.¹

There are three main tiers — Initial, Intense, and Illimité — offering varying numbers of fee-free operations.¹

With the Illimité plan, you benefit from unlimited withdrawals, payments, and transfers with no Société Générale transaction fees.

• €12.50/month for ages 18–24
• €20/month for ages 25–29
• €25/month for 30+

However, foreign currency transactions are subject to a marked-up exchange rate, and ATM operators abroad may charge additional fees.¹

Sobrio is a no-commitment offer and can be cancelled at any time.

Why and how to subscribe?

The Sobrio option is designed for those who travel abroad. Depending on how often you use your card or make transfers, Société Générale tailors the offer to match your needs.

You can subscribe by visiting a branch or applying directly via the Société Générale website.

Which plan should you choose?

The best Sobrio (formerly Jazz) plan depends on your travel frequency:

• Initial: Short trips with few transactions.
• Intense: Medium-term stays or frequent travel.
• Illimité: Long-term stays or expatriation.
• Student: For those aged 16–29 studying abroad.

Note: You must first subscribe to the Sobrio base offer to access these plans; otherwise, all operations are charged at standard rates.

Is there a commitment period?

The Jazz International option is non-binding. You can cancel anytime by contacting your advisor or calling customer service.

Who can apply?

Only Société Générale customers who already hold a Sobrio account can subscribe.

The student tier is available to customers aged 16–29, while the other tiers are open to adults aged 18 and over.

Wise: a cost-effective alternative for international transactions

While Société Générale’s Jazz International packages are flexible, their high monthly fees make them less accessible. For example, an expat over 29 would pay around €300 per year for unlimited international operations.

In comparison, the Wise account offers a simple, transparent, and low-cost solution.

With Wise, you can:

• Hold 40+ currencies in one account.
• Convert them at the mid-market exchange rate (no markup).
• Get local account details in 8+ currencies (EUR, GBP, USD, etc.).
• Spend globally with your debit card, paying no fees when you hold the transaction currency.

If a conversion is required, Wise applies only a fair, clearly stated commission (from 0.47% for most currencies).

Opening an account is free, there are no monthly fees, and it only takes a few minutes online.

Open your 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.