Withdrawal of cash

Verified 09 September 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

You need to regularly withdraw cash (also called cash) to make your purchases? Withdrawal options are different in France and abroad. Here is the information you need to know.

In France

You can withdraw cash at an ATM, at a bank branch or, subject to conditions, at a merchant.

You can make cash withdrawals with a withdrawal card, or with a payment card (often called credit card).

Withdrawal Card

A withdrawal card allows you only withdraw money from the cash machines (DAB). Some cards may limit withdrawals to only ATMs owned by your bank.

Withdrawals can be capped by amount. They can be charged if they are too frequent outside your bank's network of ATMs. It depends on your account agreement.

Credit card

The payment card or credit card allows you to pay for your purchases and allows you also withdraw money from the automatic cash machines (DAB).

Withdrawals can be capped by amount. They can be charged if they are too frequent outside your bank's network of ATMs. It depends on your account agreement.

In the event of misuse of your payment by credit card, ATM withdrawal may be an opportunity for the bank to confiscate the card. In this case, the card is kept in the dispenser and the cash is not issued.

If you forget to collect the cash, it is taken back by the automaton a few seconds after being taken out.

You must then contact the bank branch managing the machine to recover them.

If the branch is not accessible, send a written complaint to the bank concerned. Attach the account statement proving the debit and the withdrawal ticket, if you have it. If the error is detected, the bank will reimburse you within a few weeks.

You can withdraw cash at the ATM in different ways.

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Withdrawal form

In some bank branches, if you have a bank or savings account, you can withdraw cash at the counter against a form. The latter must include the references of the account to be debited. You must sign the form and present identification.

This withdrawal option can be extended to other bank branches belonging to the same network as the one that manages your account. However, the additional presentation of a withdrawal card or a means of payment may then be required.

Cash mandate

If you are a beneficiary of a cash mandate, you can withdraw the cash corresponding to its amount in an agency of the network used by the sender of the mandate.

Check not crossed

If a check not crossed you have been given, you can withdraw the cash corresponding to its amount by visiting the agency of the issuer of the check or an agency of the same network.

Traveler's check

If you have acquired traveler's checks, you can turn them into cash in a bank branch or exchange office accepting them.

Withdrawals can be capped. It depends on your account agreement. In any case, for security reasons, the bank may require to be notified 1 or 2 days in advance if the amount of the withdrawal is significant. There may be a charge for the transaction. Rates depend on the account agreement.

At some traders, if you make a purchase, you have the option to withdraw cash at the time of payment. This is called the cash back (or cash withdrawal on purchase).

Provided you request it before payment, the merchant can give you cash if you pay by credit card for a higher amount the good or service purchased. The purchase of a good or service is mandatory to be able to benefit from a cash withdrawal in addition.

The minimum withdrawal amount is €1 and the maximum amount €60. For example, if you make purchases for €60 in a store and you pay €100 by card, you recover €40 in cash.

Warning  

  • Merchants are not obliged to provide this cash withdrawal service when making a purchase. Only some voluntary traders offer this service, for example in the absence of an ATM nearby.

  • This cash withdrawal service at a merchant should not be confused with the practice of the same name, used in particular in e-commerce and which makes it possible to offer discounts to the consumer after the purchase of an article, via a refund.

Abroad

You can, under certain conditions, use your credit card or traveler's checks to withdraw cash.

You can withdraw cash with your credit card if it is a international map. Withdrawal can be made at ATMs. However, your card does not necessarily work in all ATMs. Your withdrawals may be limited to a certain amount per day and per week. Check what's in your account agreement.

Withdrawal billing differs depending on the country you are in.

Countries using the euro

In the euro area member countries, withdrawals by credit card comply with the same pricing conditions as withdrawals in France. These rules apply in the following countries:

  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus (except in the north of the island, on the territory under Turkish military occupation)
  • Croatia
  • Spain
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • Greece
  • Ireland
  • Italy (except in the Campione enclave in Switzerland)
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands (except in the islands corresponding to the former Netherlands Antilles)
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia.

Warning  

Other countries use the euro but are not members of the euro area. As a result, European regulations do not necessarily apply to them and you may have additional fees to those applied in France. Check the pricing conditions applied by your bank in the following countries:

  • Andorra
  • Monaco
  • San Marino
  • Vatican
  • Montenegro
  • Kosovo

Other country

An exchange operation is carried out and a commission is applied to your withdrawal.

The exchange rate and commission must be shown on your account statement.

The exchange rate taken into account shall be that of the day of the exchange of information between the banking institutions.

If you have brought traveler's checks, you can exchange them for cash at a bank or exchange office accepting them.

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