Cash payment

Verified 26 June 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

You want to pay for your purchases using coins or tickets? This is called a cash payment (or in cash). In some cases, it may be refused, capped or prohibited. Here are the rules to know.

Euro banknotes and coins are the only means of payment in France. In principle, a cash payment cannot be refused.

FYI  

A merchant who refuses a cash payment to you risks a fine of €150.

However, there are exceptions that allow a person to refuse to be paid in cash in certain cases:

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Foreign currencies

Payment in foreign currencies may be refused.

Coins and notes in poor condition

Payment with coins or notes in poor condition may be refused. These cash could be rejected by the Banque de France.

FYI  

If you have euro banknotes in poor condition, you may, subject to conditions, exchange them to the Banque de France. You may also, under conditions, request reimbursement at the Banque de France or in certain post offices.

Counterfeit currency

If the creditor realizes that your ticket (or coin) is fake, it may refuse payment.

Number of pieces

If you use more than 50 pieces for a single payment, this payment may be refused (except for payments to the Treasury).

Booster

When you pay in cash, you have to make the extra payment, that is to say pay the exact amount to the seller. The creditor can therefore refuse payment in cash if it does not have the opportunity to give you change.

Grounds of general interest

Payment in cash may be refused on grounds of public interest. Limitations on cash payments are accepted by the courts if they do not impose excessive burdens on users.

Example :

For security reasons, in order to avoid theft from parking meters, a municipality may require payment for parking by means of a prepaid card. Users have the option to purchase this card, including cash, from an authorized merchant.

Between individuals, if they do not act for professional purposes, the cash payment is not limited.

A writing is necessary beyond €1,500 for prove payments.

Example :

The purchase between private individuals of a car for private use can be paid in full in cash.

However, in several cases, the cash payment may not exceed certain amounts. There are ceilings.

FYI  

Payment for a car rental cannot be made in cash.

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Settlement of taxes, fines and monetary penalties

Cash payment at the public finance center counter is limited to €300.

Payment to a professional

Payment in cash from an individual to a professional or between professionals is limited to €1,000.

Example :

The purchase of a private vehicle from a professional.

This ceiling shall be increased if your tax domicile is abroad and you pay a personal expense.

You can then pay in cash up to €15,000 if the payment is made to a professional subject to anti-money laundering obligations. Otherwise, the cash payment is limited to €10,000.

The law establishes the list of professionals (e.g. antique dealers) subject to anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing obligations.

If your cash payment exceeds these limits, you risk a fine of up to 5% amounts illegally paid in cash. You will have to pay half of this fine. The other half will have to be paid by the professional who accepted the cash settlement.

You will be required to show ID for any payment greater than €1,000.

FYI  

As an exception, the cash payment limits do not apply to you if you do not no bank account. They also do not concern you if you are in theincapacity legal or bank to use another means of payment.

Payment of a salary

The salary can be paid to you in cash up to €1,500 per month.

Beyond that, the employer must pay by check crossed out or by transfer banking.

FYI  

This limit does not apply to an employer who does not no other means of payment or no bank account.

If your employer does not comply with these obligations, it risks a fine of €450.

Payment of a real estate transaction

Payments made or received by a notary for the settlement of real estate transactions can be made in cash if the transaction does not exceed €3,000. Beyond this amount, payments must be made by bank transfer.

This obligation applies to the settlement of authentic acts to be published in land advertising service : e.g.purchase of land or of a dwelling, a donation of land, house or apartment, or attestation of real estate ownership established after a death.

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