- Currency
- EUR
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: wise.com, atmfeesaver.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Card payments are the norm for most transactions in Biarritz; however, carry some cash (€20–€50) for smaller vendors and tips
- Service charge is always included in restaurant bills by law—look for 'service compris' on your receipt. Any additional tip is entirely optional and appreciated only for exceptional service
- When using ATMs, always select payment in Euros and reject any offer of dynamic currency conversion to avoid extra fees
- To minimize ATM fees, withdraw larger amounts less frequently and use ATMs owned by major French banks (BNP Paribas, La Poste, Crédit Agricole)
- Card tipping is rarely possible in France and not reliable—if you wish to tip, do so in cash only
- Small bills (€5, €10) and coins are useful for tips, markets, and small purchases; ask restaurants to break a €20 bill if needed
- Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees are ideal; debit cards are cheaper at ATMs than credit cards
- Some smaller establishments may have a €5–€10 minimum for card payments, so carrying small change is practical
- Contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are increasingly common and accepted
Currency
EUR
Tipping Norms
- Taxis
- Round up to the nearest euro or add 5–10% of fare
- Overview
- Tipping is not mandatory in France; service charges of approximately 15% are already legally included in restaurant and café bills (marked 'service compris')
- Markets And Small Shops
- Coin tips in tip jars are optional but appreciated
Hotels
- Bellhops
- €1–2 per bag
- Concierge
- Only for extraordinary help (e.g., €20 for securing rare tickets)
- Housekeeping
- €1–2 per night, left daily or at checkout
Restaurants
- Fine Dining
- For exceptional service, 5–10% additional is generous; €25 on a €250 meal as an example
- Casual Dining
- Rounding up the bill or leaving €1–5 is the norm; if your bill is €19.50, leaving €20 is appreciated
- Bistros Traditional
- Rounding up is customary
CaféS And Bars
- Multiple Drinks
- €1 per drink is polite if service is friendly
- Simple Beverage
- Round up to the nearest euro or leave €0.50–€1
Cultural Considerations
- Tipping is seen as a voluntary gesture of appreciation, not an obligation
- Large tips may be perceived as flaunting wealth and can feel awkward
- French service staff receive stable wages and benefits, so they do not rely on tips for income
- Cash tips are strongly preferred over card tips, as card tipping is difficult in most French establishments and you cannot be certain the staff receive it
- Discretion is key—tips should be handed over politely and directly, not displayed loudly
- Service staff in Biarritz may have slightly higher expectations from international visitors due to tourism, but traditional French norms still apply
ATM Information
- Availability
- Widely available throughout Biarritz
Fees
- Local Bank ATM Fee
- Generally free (French banks like BNP Paribas typically do not charge ATM fees)
- Dynamic Currency Conversion
- Avoid accepting ATM offers for currency conversion to your home currency—always select 'Decline' and pay in Euros to avoid extra markups
Accepted Cards
- Visa and Mastercard (most common)
- Cirrus and Plus
- Maestro (less common)
Bank ATM Recommendations
- BNP Paribas (part of Global ATM Alliance)
- La Poste (French postal service)
- LCL
- Crédit Agricole
Card Acceptance
- Status
- Widely accepted
Details
- Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted card types at ATMs and payment terminals
- Contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are common, especially in urban areas
- Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in restaurants, shops, and most establishments
- Some smaller shops and markets may have a €5–€10 minimum for card purchases
- A tourist local source noted most residents and visitors in Biarritz now pay with cards or mobile wallets rather than cash
Cash Situations
When Cash Preferred
- Small vendors at local markets (many do accept cards but cash is safer to assume)
- Street food vendors and artisan stalls
- Tips (French tipping etiquette strongly prefers cash over card tips)
- Smaller cafés and bakeries, particularly away from main tourist areas
- Petty purchases like ice cream from street vendors
When Card Sufficient
- Restaurants and brasseries
- Hotels
- Supermarkets and chain shops
- Tourist attractions and museums
Banking
- Setup For Nomads
- France requires non-residents to open bank accounts through local banks or fintech services. Standard requirements typically include proof of identity (passport), proof of address, and tax identification. Many banks (BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale) operate in Biarritz. Digital-only banks (Wise, Revolut, N26) offer easier online account opening for non-residents. Specific account-opening procedures and documentation for Biarritz were not verified in available sources.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.wise.com
- 2.atmfeesaver.com
- 3.live-exchange-rates.com
- 4.chase.com
- 5.community.ricksteves.com
- 6.tripadvisor.ie
- 7.jeanninebergerson.com
- 8.afar.com
- 9.parisbyemy.com
- 10.annieandre.com
- 11.culturetravel.com
- 12.radicalstorage.com
- 13.polyglottistlanguageacademy.com
- 14.simplefrance.com
- 15.broaden-horizons.fr
- 16.biarritz.info
- 17.wanderlog.com
- 18.pharmaciedeshautsesbiarritz.fr
- 19.pharmaciedeshallesbiarritz.rocade.fr
- 20.pharmacie-brunel-biarritz.giropharm.fr
- 21.pagesjaunes.fr
- 22.pharmacies.giphar.fr
- 23.doctorsa.com
- 24.guide-du-paysbasque.com
- 25.destination-biarritz.fr
- 26.yelp.com
More About Biarritz
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.