Bank transfer

Verified 29 July 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

You want to pay your expenses by transferring the amounts directly from account to account, without going through a means of payment (credit card, check, etc.)? You can make a bank transfer. Here are the rules to follow to use it.

You can instruct your bank to transfer money from your account to another account.

You can make a transfer to other people's accounts or to your own accounts (including your savings accounts: booklets, life insuranceetc.).

It can be made to an account managed abroad and in a currency other than the euro.

It exists 2 types of transfers :

  • A transfer is said punctual if the order is issued for a single transaction
  • A transfer is said permanent (or automatic) if the order is given in writing or by internet and that it is repeated at regular frequency. The order is established for a fixed or indefinite period. You can cancel it at any time by mail or directly on the internet depending on the online services offered by your bank.

Please note

The transfer is the ordinary means of payment of salaries.

A transfer can be made in euro or another currency

One SEPA credit transfer is carried out in euro in the countries of the SEPA zone.

One international transfer is carried out in a other currency outside the SEPA area.

The order to make a transfer can be given at the counter of your bank, by mail or by internet, depending on your account agreement.

Please note

According to the banks, a period of validation of a new beneficiary is necessary before the implementation of an internet transfer.

You must provide the following information:

  • Account number to be debited
  • Amount of the operation
  • Date of execution
  • Bank account details (BIC, IBAN) to credit.

Your account information is recorded on your Rib.

To secure the transaction, your bank must verify that the name of the transfer beneficiary matches the bank account information communicated with the IBAN. This device is called Recipient Audit or VoP (Verification of Payee).

Please note

Your creditor cannot require you to make the transfer to a bank account domiciled in France.

In some countries, bank details appear on account statements.

The bank cannot make a transfer without your consent.

Yes, the amount of a bank transfer may be capped. This maximum amount is set by your account agreement.

Bank registration: transaction date

The operation date is the date a debit or credit transaction is recorded by your bank.

If the transfer order is passed at a time close to the end of the business day, it will be considered as received on the next working day.

If the time of receipt is not a business day (e.g. in the case of an order placed via the internet), the transfer order shall be considered as received on the following business day.

Transfer of funds to the beneficiary's account

The delivery time the transfer to the beneficiary's account is variable. It depends in particular on the domicile in France or abroad of this account.

In general, the transfer is made between 24 and 48 hours after its registration by the bank.

You can also make a instant bank transfer. The funds are then immediately available in the beneficiary's account.

Starting point for interest calculation: value date

The value date is used for interest calculations. It is used in particular if you transfer money to a savings account or to calculate the duration of a uncovered.

Example :

Interest on savings accounts is calculated according to the fortnight rule.

If you make a transfer on your booklet A between 1er and on the 15th of the month, the interest due will be calculated from the 16th. If the transfer is made between the 16th and the 31st of the month, the interest due will be calculated from the 1ster of the following month.

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In the majority of banks, SEPA credit transfers in euro are free of charge. But it can be charged based on the account agreement that you signed.

Pricing may vary if you make a transfer from your online banking space (usually free) or if you request a manual transfer at your branch counter. Find out more by consulting your bank's pricing conditions.

Identical pricing should be applied between traditional and instant transfers. Usually, regular or instant euro transfers, made online, are free of charge.

The execution of each payment transaction is notified to the holders of the two accounts concerned (account credited and account debited).

You can agree with your bank on the means and frequency of notifications (e-mails, SMS, account statements, etc.).

Deadlines

To dispute a transfer, you must send a letter to your bank.

You can use the following template:

Dispute a transaction on your account statement

The time limit for contesting depends on why you are contesting the transfer.

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The amount of the transfer exceeds the planned amount

You must notify your bank within 8 weeks after the debit date.

Transfers not authorized or incorrectly executed

The time limit varies depending on whether the bank of the payment beneficiary is in l', in l' (EEE) or outside.

In {tilde over (a)} or {tilde over (b)}

You must notify your bank within 13 months after the debit date.

Outside the

You must notify your bank within 70 days after the debit date.

This period may be extended by contract but not exceeding 120 days.

Warning  

these deadlines do not apply if the bank has not provided you or has not made available to you the information relating to this payment transaction (account statement).

Solutions in case of failure of the challenge

If your challenge does not succeed, you can appeal to the banking ombudsman.

If the mediator's intervention has not settled the dispute, you can refer the civil courts for 5 years from the date of execution of the operation.

Bank transfer and direct debit are 2 secure transactions allowing a transfer of money from account to account.

The virement is carried out by the person who pouring the money.

The direct debit shall be carried out, with the consent of the account holder, by the person who receive the money.

In France, transfer bank east free. The direct debit may include fresh. Rates are set by your account agreement.

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