- Local Currency
- EUR
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: frenchcaribbean.com, prescripteurs.martinique.org
Good to know
Good to Know
- Establish a 4-digit numeric PIN with your bank before departure, or your card may not be accepted at Martinique ATMs.
- Notify your bank before travel to prevent your card from being frozen due to suspicious transactions.
- Always select the option to be charged in euros (not your home currency) when prompted at payment terminals to avoid unfavorable dynamic currency conversion rates.
- Euros are essential for public transport, markets, and smaller vendors—always carry some cash.
- While service is legally included in restaurant bills (15% service compris), locals and visitors often round up or leave small change (€1-5) for good service.
- US dollars are rarely accepted despite some sources suggesting otherwise—rely on euros, ATMs, and cards instead.
- Prepaid travel cards (Wise, Revolut) often provide better value and lower fees than traditional credit or debit cards for international spending.
Recommended Banks
Crédit Agricole
- Note
- One of the most flexible and expat-friendly, requires only proof of identity and address, no minimum deposit required
La Banque Postale
- Note
- Public-sector institution with legal obligation to serve residents; most likely traditional bank to accept if others decline
BNP Paribas
- Note
- Large international bank; higher deposit requirements and fees apply
Wise (Neobank)
- Note
- Can open account before arrival from home country; provides EUR IBAN, no physical address required initially
Bunq (Neobank)
- Note
- Dutch neobank with French IBAN, fastest onboarding (minutes), accepts non-EU passports without French proof of address
Required Documents
General
- Valid passport or EU ID card
- Proof of French address (rental contract, utility bill, EDF bill)
- Proof of identity and signature
Additional Requirements
- Residence permit or visa (for non-EU nationals)
- Proof of income or employment status
- Recent bank statements (last 3 months, for some banks)
- Some banks may require official French translation of documents
ATM Fees
- Overview
- Typical ATM withdrawal fees include a local ATM fee plus the home bank's foreign transaction fee (usually 1-3% of the transaction amount). Specific fee amounts vary by bank.
Recommendations
- Check if your home bank has partnerships with Martinique banks (e.g., BNP Paribas is part of the Global ATM Alliance) to reduce or eliminate fees
- Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to reduce total fees
- Avoid airport currency exchanges, which typically have the highest fees and poorest rates
- Use bank ATMs rather than hotel services for currency exchange
- Always choose to be charged in euros (local currency) rather than your home currency at ATM prompts to avoid unfavorable dynamic currency conversion
Tipping Norms
- Taxis
- Round up to the nearest euro or add 5-10% of the fare for exceptional service.
- Overview
- Tipping in Fort-de-France and Martinique is appreciated but not obligatory. By French law, a 15% service charge (service compris) is already included in all restaurant and café prices.
- Restaurants
- Service is already included in the bill. A small additional tip (rounding up or €1-5) is appreciated for good service but not expected.
- Tour Guides
- €5-10 per person for private tours; 5-10% for guided services
- Bars And Cafes
- Leave coins or round up to the nearest euro (e.g., €3 for a €2.50 espresso). €1 per drink is polite for good service.
- Cultural Note
- Tipping should be done in cash and discretely. Large, flashy tips are seen as inappropriate in French culture. The service charge already covers staff wages and benefits, so gratuities are genuinely optional and a gesture of appreciation rather than an obligation.
Hotels
- Housekeeping
- €1-2 per night, left daily with a note
- Bellhops And Porters
- €1-2 per bag
Local Currency
EUR
ATM Information
- Availability
- ATMs are open 24 hours per day throughout the island and are readily available in Fort-de-France, at the airport, and in tourist areas.
- Note
- ATMs are commonly referred to as DABs (distributeurs automatiques de billets) in French. A 4-digit numeric PIN is required.
Not Accepted
- American Express
- Discover
Accepted Card Networks
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Cirrus
- Plus
- Maestro
Card Acceptance
- Overview
- Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Fort-de-France, particularly Visa and Mastercard. American Express is accepted in some tourist establishments but is less common.
- Note
- Smaller shops and street vendors may prefer or require cash. Most establishments with point-of-sale machines accept Visa and Mastercard.
Accepted Cards
- Visa
- Mastercard
Limited Acceptance
- American Express
Not Widely Accepted
- Discover
Digital Payments
- Mobile Payments
- Apple Pay and Google Pay are gaining popularity but acceptance is still limited
- Contactless Cards
- Widely accepted in urban areas of Fort-de-France
- Recommended Alternatives
- Prepaid travel cards like Wise Account or Revolut offer competitive exchange rates and low fees, making them smart choices for travelers
Currency Exchange
- Overview
- The Euro (EUR) is the only official currency. US Dollars are generally not accepted for transactions, even in tourist areas, though some vendors may accept them at poor exchange rates.
- Bank Hours
- Generally 8:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00 Monday-Friday; some open Saturday mornings
- Note
- Avoid currency exchange at airports and hotels, which offer poor rates and high fees. Bank ATMs provide the best exchange rates.
Where To Exchange
- Local banks in Fort-de-France
- Exchange offices (bureaux de change) in downtown Fort-de-France
- Airport currency exchange desks (though rates are typically worse than banks)
- ATMs (preferred for better exchange rates)
Banks For Currency Exchange
- Banque Postale
- Société Générale
- BNP Paribas
- Credit Agricole
Timeline
Processing typically takes 1–3 weeks for card delivery by post with traditional banks; neobanks offer faster setup (minutes to days)
Account Opening
- Residents
- Foreign residents of France (those living in France for 183+ days per year with valid visa and French proof of address) can open standard current accounts (compte courant) with most French banks.
- Challenges
- Opening a traditional French bank account as a non-resident is difficult; banks require proof of French address (contradiction for new arrivals), resulting in a 'catch-22' situation. EU citizens face fewer restrictions than non-EU nationals.
- Non Residents
- Non-residents face significant restrictions; most traditional banks do not accept non-residents. Online/neobanks (Wise, bunq, Revolut, N26) are typically the most accessible option for short-term visitors.
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.frenchcaribbean.com
- 2.prescripteurs.martinique.org
- 3.france.fr
- 4.martinique.org
- 5.travelwithhello.com
- 6.wise.com
- 7.explore.atmfeesaver.com
- 8.travel.com
- 9.radicalstorage.com
- 10.parisbyemy.com
- 11.afar.com
- 12.tradingeconomics.com
- 13.digitalnomadexchange.com
- 14.pagesjaunes.fr
- 15.pharmacie-fort-de-france.net
- 16.pharmadelacite.fr
- 17.pharmacie-houngues-ste-therese.pharmabest.com
- 18.westernunion.com
- 19.welcometofrance.com
- 20.housinganywhere.com
- 21.hilivsolution.com
- 22.easystart.me
- 23.ibanista.com
More About Fort-de-France
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.