Money & Payments in Paris (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Bank ATMs (BNP Paribas, La Poste) are free and widely available; avoid private ATMs like Euronet at airports and tourist zones—they charge €4–€6 per withdrawal.
Always select 'Pay in EUR' at ATMs offering currency conversion; declining DCC avoids poor exchange rates.
Cards are accepted almost everywhere in central Paris, but always carry some cash for markets, small cafés, and outdoor vendors.
Service charge (15% by law) is already in your restaurant bill—tipping is optional and rarely exceeds €2–€5 per person even at nice restaurants.
Tip in cash if you tip; most card systems in traditional cafés and restaurants don't support easy tipping (though some trendy spots now do).
Tourists are sometimes pressured to tip in touristy areas, but this is not a French norm—you can politely decline.
Rounding up the bill or leaving loose change is the local custom; do not leave copper coins.

ATM Access

Dcc Warning: At ATMs offering 'Dynamic Currency Conversion' (DCC), always choose to withdraw in EUR (local currency), not your home currency, to avoid poor exchange rates
Availability: Extensive ATM network throughout Paris
Home Bank Fees: Your home bank may charge 1–3% currency conversion fee; check with your bank before traveling

Fee Structure

Bank ATMs (BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, La Poste)
Operator Fee
Free for major French banks
Note
BNP Paribas is part of Global ATM Alliance and guarantees fee-free access
Private ATMs (Euronet, Travelex)
Operator Fee
€5.00
Note
Typical charge per withdrawal; located at airports, tourist zones, and train stations—avoid if possible

Best Practice ATMs

BNP Paribas (part of Global ATM Alliance)
La Poste (French post offices)
Crédit Agricole may charge 5–6 EUR to some foreign cards

Banking

Overview: Opening a French bank account is essential for rent, employment, utilities, and government benefits. Multiple pathways exist for expats (resident and non-resident accounts).
Fees And Costs: Varies by bank; many offer expat promotions (e.g., BNP Paribas reduced fees first year). Non-resident accounts typically €100–€200 annually. Standard resident accounts often €0–€150/year.
Rib Requirement: Relevé d'identité bancaire (RIB) — your bank account ID — required by landlords, employers, utilities, and government benefits. Receive digital or physical copy from bank or ATM.
FATCA Consideration: US persons: only BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, and a few others accept due to FATCA reporting costs. Some restrictions remain.
International Transfers: High bank fees; Wise offers mid-market rates + transparent small fees as lower-cost alternative

Account Types

Non Resident Account: Available for those not meeting 183-day/tax-resident threshold; higher fees, stricter limits; can open remotely with some banks
Resident Current Account: Compte courant — standard everyday transactions; requires proof of identity, French address, and income/employment documentation

Best Banks For Expats

BNP Paribas
Notes
Largest bank; non-resident service available (remote signup); English support; conversion to resident account once you settle in France; expat-friendly
Crédit Agricole
Notes
France's largest retail bank by branches; requires fewer documents than Société Générale; straightforward account opening
Société Générale
Notes
Wide coverage but less expat-friendly; inconsistent English support; heavier documentation requirements
Hello Bank (BNP Online)
Notes
Zero monthly cost; fully online; requires EU/EEA tax residency or French address for non-EU passport holders
Boursobank
Notes
Most popular online bank; no monthly fees; excellent app; does NOT accept US citizens (FATCA compliance)
Nickel (Neobank)
Notes
Available at tobacconist bureaux; 5-minute signup; requires EU citizenship; €20 annual balance

Account Opening Timeline

Neobanks Online: Hours to 1 week; can receive French IBAN remotely before arrival
Traditional Banks In Person: 1–3 weeks after in-person appointment at branch

Document Requirements Resident

Valid passport or national ID card
Proof of French address (recent utility bill, rental contract, or attestation d'hébergement)
Proof of income (payslips, employment contract, tax notice, or business declaration)
Tax ID number mandatory (FATCA self-certification for US nationals)
Some banks request French documents translated

Document Requirements Non Resident

Valid passport or EU national ID card
Proof of address abroad (utility bill, bank statement, or property tax notice <3 months old)
Foreign tax identification number (TIN) of your country of residence
Proof of income (3 months payslips, pension notice, or business income declaration)
FATCA self-certification form (US persons)

Cash Needs

Recommended Cash On Hand: €100–€200 for a typical stay in Paris
Currency Denomination Advice: Carry small bills (€5, €10, €20) and €1–€2 coins; avoid €100 and €500 notes for small transactions

Uses For Cash

Outdoor market purchases
Street food and small café purchases with minimum card thresholds
Tips (if you choose to leave them)
Small vendors that don't accept cards

Tipping Norms

General Rule: Tipping is optional, not expected or mandatory
Beauty Services: 5–10% of bill for hairdressers, massage therapists, beauticians
Theater And Venues: €1–€2 to ushers only in private theaters; tipping is illegal in public theaters (Opéra Bastille, Palais Garnier, Comédie-Française, etc.)
Tours And Activities: €5–€10 per person for free walking tours (guides rely on tips); paid tours are already contracted
Service Charge Included: By French law, 15% service charge ('service compris') is included in all restaurant and café bills—it is not a discretionary tip, but a legal wage component

Taxis

Standard Fare: Round up to nearest €1 or leave €1–€2; not required but common
Ride Share Apps: Tipping is optional; app may offer preset tip options
With Luggage Assistance: €1–€2 per bag may be appropriate

Hotels

Bellhop: €1–€2 per bag
Concierge: €5–€20 for special services like restaurant reservations
Housekeeping: €1–€2 per night (optional)

CaféS And Bars

Simple Drink: Round up to nearest €1 or leave €0.20–€0.50
Standard Order: €0.50–€1 for a coffee; loose change is acceptable
Note: Leaving coins (€1–€2) is normal and polite in France

Important Notes

Tipping is not an obligation; leaving nothing is perfectly acceptable
Avoid small copper coins (€0.01–€0.05) as tips; they can be perceived as insulting
Always tip in cash if possible; card payment systems rarely offer easy tipping options (though some trendy restaurants now use US-style payment processors like Square)
Tourist-heavy areas may have staff accustomed to higher tips from international visitors, but French locals remain modest in their tipping
If pressured by staff to tip, remember that by French law, tips are optional and workers are paid living wages with benefits

Restaurant Dining

Fine Dining: €5–€10 per person for exceptional service; locals rarely exceed €20 per person
Casual Restaurant: €1–€2 per person or round up the bill—modest amounts are the norm
Standard Restaurant: €2–€5 per person for decent service is typical; rounding up is acceptable

Card Acceptance

Overall Status: Widely accepted
Description: Credit and debit cards issued by Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Paris, especially in shops, restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets. Contactless payments are prevalent. American Express is accepted in some establishments but less universal than Visa/Mastercard.

Where Accepted

Most shops and supermarkets
Restaurants and cafés
Hotels
Tourist attractions

Where Cash May Be Needed

Outdoor markets
Small street vendors
Some cafés may have minimum purchase amounts (€5–€10) for card payments
Tips (if choosing to leave them)

Currency Exchange

To Avoid: Bureau de change kiosks at airports and tourist areas charge unfavorable rates and high fees (sometimes 10%+ margin)
Local Currency: EUR

Payment Method Summary

Backup: Cash (€100–€200) for markets, small vendors, and tips
Best For Daily Spending: Card (Visa/Mastercard); Paris is highly card-friendly

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.

More About Paris

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Paris