10 Best Digital Banks in France in 2026

In 2026, the Best Digital Banks in France is one of the most innovative yet safe and accessible sectors in the rest of Europe. Digital banks such as BoursoBank and Shine (which serves freelancers) meet customers’ needs and wants for a range of offerings based on their specific lifestyles.

Travelers can use digital banks for international transactions with low currency exchange fees, members of the diaspora can apply for a French IBAN, and professionals can use digital banking platforms for all their banking and portfolio management needs.

Digital banks in France provide comprehensive services, deposit insurance, and protection. This document draws attention to the most innovative digital banking services in France, outlines why they are unique, and serves as a resource for the modern consumer.

“Who Should Choose It?

Basic Digital Banking Users: If you want to manage your banking using a single app for transactions, card payments, account notifications, account management, and access to basic banking services.

Low-Cost Banking Users: If you want a banking service with low account maintenance costs, low card costs, low withdrawal costs, and low costs for other everyday banking activities.

Frequent Travel Banking Users: If you make a lot of international card payments, need convenient ways to exchange currency and withdraw money abroad, and have high multi-currency budgeting needs for travel.

Expats Using French Banking: If you want an easy way to open a digital account for banking with card and transfer services for your stay in France and need assistance with forecasting your budget and banking there.

Young Students as Basic Banking Users: If you want a basic banking solution and need to manage fees, payments, budgeting tools, and card controls for your everyday banking while avoiding branches.

Users with International Money Needs: If you need to send, receive or hold international money and you want to do currency exchange, and use cross border transaction services with a multi-currency account.

Digital-only Banking Users: If you do not want to manage banking services through branches and want to manage your accounts payments, transfers, cards, budgeting and banking activities through your smartphones.

Users with Banking Technology Needs: If you need innovative app banking services with budgeting and security controls, digital transaction management, and automation features for digital banking.

Key Points

Bank	Key Point (2026)
BoursoBank	Free Visa Welcome card, EU IBAN accepted, full ecosystem (PEA, AV, credit, bourse), 9.2/10 rating.
Hello Bank!	Backed by BNP Paribas, free Hello One card, €60 welcome gift, strong branch/DAB access.
Fortuneo	Free Fosfo/Mastercard Gold, 0% FX fees in eurozone, strong travel insurance, transparent fees.
BforBank	Relaunched 2024, Visa Gold free with conditions, premium travel insurance, backed by Crédit Agricole.
Revolut	IBAN FR since 2022, 0% FX fees abroad, crypto & stock integration, app rated 4.7/5.
Monabanq	€2–9 monthly fee, Visa Classic, best customer service reputation, Crédit Mutuel backing.
N26	German IBAN, free Mastercard, strong mobile-first design, but limited in France post-2024.
Orange Bank	Phased out retail in 2026, but legacy accounts still supported until migration.
ING Direct	Exited France retail, but existing clients migrated to Boursobank.
Shine	Digital bank for freelancers/SMEs, French IBAN, invoicing tools, backed by Société Générale.

1. BoursoBank

BoursoBank, formerly Boursorama Bank, is France’s largest digital bank, licensed and fully regulated by ACPR. It offers a French IBAN for hassle-free local and SEPA transactions. Basic accounts are free and come with a Visa Welcome card.

Visa Ultim is another competitive premium card available for a fee. BoursoBank has a host of features, adding savings, credit, insurance and investment products, including PEA and assurance-vie.

Withdrawals are free at ATMs in the Eurozone with minimal foreign currency fees charged for withdrawals abroad. SWIFT and SEPA transfers are available. Deposits are protected by FGDR up to €100,000. BoursoBank redefines banking to suit digital-first needs for the French market.

BoursoBank Key Features

• French IBAN for quick payments within the EU
• Visa Welcome card issued at no cost with no monthly fees
• Complete ecosystem: savings, loans, investment (PEA, AV)
• Savings, loans, and investment products offered
• SEPA/SWIFT as methods for international payments.

Pros:

• No account fees
• Wide choice of investment products
• Robust security and FGDR protection
• Highly appreciated mobile application

Cons:

• Premium card is subject to conditions
• Sufficient investment tools for beginners
• Limited branch access
• Charge FX outside EU…
• Limited branch support

2. Hello Bank!

Hello Bank! offers digital banking combined with branch banking, courtesy of BNP Paribas. Similar to BoursoBank, Hello Bank! is licensed by ACPR and offers a French IBAN for local and SEPA payments.

The Hello One account is free, whereas Hello Prime costs €5 per month. Access to BNP Paribas’ ATM network is available with both accounts. Free withdrawals are available at all ATMs in France and the Eurozone, and competitive foreign currency exchange fees are charged for withdrawals abroad.

International payments are possible through both SWIFT and SEPA. Security is robust, with FGDR protection for deposits up to €100,000. As a digital bank that offers a combination of mobile-first banking and branch banking, Hello Bank! caters to a growing market.

Hello Bank! Key Features:

• A partnered bank of BNP Paribas
• French IBAN for all domestic and EU payments
• A free Hello One account
• Bank and ATM access
• SEPA/SWIFT for all international transactions

Pros:

• A digital and physical bank approach
• €60 sign up bonus
• An awesome FGDR protected BNP ATM
• Strong French deposit protection

Cons:

• FX costs outside EU
• Limited premium perks
• (Hello Prime) has a monthly cost
• A stale mobile app.

3. Fortuneo

Fortuneo is the Crédit Mutuel Arkéa group’s fully licensed French digital bank offering a French IBAN. User accounts are free and include the Fosfo Mastercard while Gold and World Elite cards maintain their free status with use case restrictions.

Highly valued features include savings, credit, insurance, and investment offerings as well as advanced tools for strong investment. The eurozone has no cost withdrawals at ATMs, and Fosfo has zero cost currency conversions abroad.

SEPA and SWIFT facilitated international transfers. Safety is provided by FGDR deposit protection up to €100,000. Fortuneo strives to provide flexibility and transparency in digital banking by offering strong travel banking and investment features at great value with low cost digital banking.

Fortuneo Key Features

• French IBAN with free Fosfo Mastercard
• 0% FX fees for transactions in the Eurozone
• Advanced investment and trading tools
• Free Gold/World Elite cards with conditions
• SEPA/SWIFT

Pros:

• Transparent fees
• Premium cards offer great travel benefits and are free
• FGDR protection

Cons:

• Premium cards have usage conditions
• Limited branch support
• Complex investing interface
• Foreign exchange (FX) fees outside of the EU

4. BforBank

Slated for a 2024 launch by Crédit Agricole, BforBank offers French IBANs and licenses as a French digital bank. User accounts offer Visa Classic and Visa Gold cards, which are often free with use cases. Savings and loan offerings are complemented by quality travel insurance.

Free withdrawals are provided at ATMs throughout France and the eurozone, and the bank has competitive FX fees. SEPA and SWIFT facilitate international money transfers.

Safety is provided by FGDR deposit protection up to €100,000. BforBank leverages the quality offerings of Crédit Agricole, and provides ease of mind for high net worth clientele as a digital first bank.

BforBank Key Features

• Supported by Crédit Agricole
• French IBAN for EU payments
• Visa Gold card (free with conditions)
• Included premium travel insurance
• SEPA/SWIFT transfers available

Pros:

• Good premium card benefits
• Good insurance coverage
• FGDR deposit protection

Cons:

• Monthly fees if conditions not met
• Limited free account options
• Not as beginner-friendly
• Smaller ATM network

5. Revolut

Revolut began French operations in 2022, and is regulated by the ACPR. Revolut’s accounts go from the free Standard account to the Premium and Metal accounts. Features of all accounts include multi-currency accounts and crypto and stock trading.

ATM withdrawals have a limit beyond which a fee is charged, and FX fees are waived for all transactions done abroad. An added feature is the ability to make instant peer-to-peer payments in Europe and abroad via SWIFT and SEPA.

Security is solid, providing FGDR deposit protection of €100,000, and Revolut is positioned as the top choice bank for travelers and expats. Revolut’s reach is global with local compliance making it the top international digital bank in France.

Revolut Key Features

• French IBAN since 2022
• Has multi-currency accounts with FX cost advantages
• Features for trading stocks and crypto
• Built in budgeting and transaction tracking tools
• Supports SEPA/SWIFT and instant transfers

Pros:

• Great for travelers and expats
• Great mobile app
• Has a lot of features and covers a lot of international banking needs
• FGDR deposit protection

Cons:

• Free tier comes with limits
• Charges FX for making transactions after limit reached
• Premium tier features cost a lot
• Limited traditional banking features

6. Monabanq

Monabanq, under Crédit Mutuel, is a licensed French digital bank with a French IBAN. Accounts cost €2-9 per month, and Visa Classic and Visa Premier cards are available. Features include savings and loan accounts, and award winning customer service, described as one of the best out there.

Monabanq uses a customer-first digital banking model, and charges low monthly fees. ATM withdrawals in the eurozone and France are free, and FX fees are set competitively for withdrawals abroad.

International transfers are supported by SEPA and SWIFT. Security is strong with FGDR deposit protection of €100,000. Monabanq is a customer-first digital bank for quality service at a monthly fee.

Monabanq Key Features

• Backed by Crédit Mutuel
• French IBAN for EU payments
• Accounts with €2-€9 monthly fees
• Visa Classic and Premier cards
• SEPA/SWIFT transfers

Pros:

• Very good customer service track record
• Good brand support
• Has tiered account options
• FGDR deposit insurance

Cons:

• No free account option
• Foreign exchange costs
• Limited trading and banking tools
• Only basic account features

7. N26

N26, a German neobank that fully operates under BaFin, offers its services in France with a German IBAN. There are free tiers for Standard as well as Smart, You, and Metal tiers, which are all available for purchase. Features include mobile banking, budgeting tools, and Mastercard.

ATM withdrawals are free across the eurozone, while N26 has a tiered system for foreign transactions via FX. International payments can be made via the integrations of SEPA and Wise.

Drawn to its mobile-banking first options, customers from all age groups tend to value N26’s offerings, though diminishing accessibility in France after 2024 is likely to end up being a huge deterrent for customers compared to fully French licensed banks.

N26 Key Features

• German IBAN for EU payments
• Free Mastercard with mobile banking design
• Built in budgeting and transaction tracking
• Integrates Wise for international money transfers
• German deposit protection scheme

Pros:

• With mobile-first design
• Has free accounts
• Good app ratings
• Offers €100,000 deposit protection

Cons:

• No French IBAN
• Only expect to see them in France post-2024
• Charge fees for transactions outside of Eurozone
• Weak support

8. Orange Bank

Backed by Orange telecom, Orange Bank received its ACPR license and launched its operations with an IBAN based in France. The tiers offered include a free Visa Classic tier and a Premium tier for which a subscription is required.

Offering a combination of banking and telecom services, Orange Bank’s safe and secure operations included FGDR deposit protection for up to €100,000. Orange Bank, as an innovative option for banking and telecom services, gained popularity.

However, in 2026, Orange Bank moved away from offering services to its customers, and only provided support for legacy accounts until they were fully migrated, thus closing a viable option for digital banking for the masses.

Orange Bank Key Features:

• French IBAN for payment transactions in the EU
• Visa Classic and Premier cards
• Banking and telecom services integrated
• SEPA/SWIFT transfers supported
• FGDR deposit protection

Pros:

• Integrated banking and telecom services
• Free Basic card
• Feature rich mobile app
• FGDR deposit protection

Cons:

• Plans to phase out retail banking by 2026
• Retains legacy accounts
• Lack of new features
• Becoming increasingly irrelevant

9. ING Direct

ING Direct obtained a license from ACPR to operate in France, after which it opened digital banking services in the country with French IBAN. Both free Visa Classic and premium accounts were available.

The service encompassed savings, loans, and investments. Clients were exempt from banking charges on withdrawals from ATMs located in France, and the eurozone. There were foreign currency conversion fees for transactions done outside the eurozone.

Transactions to and from the eurozone were possible through SEPA and SWIFT transfers. Security was high, and the FGDR guaranteed customer deposits of up to €100,000.

Digital banking services pioneer ING Direct exited the French market in 2022 and transferred the customers to BoursoBank. By 2026 it was an inactive reference in the market, and no longer opened accounts to new customers.

ING Direct Key Features:

• French IBAN for payment transactions in the EU
• Visa Classic card
• Savings, loans, and investments offered
• SEPA/SWIFT supported transfers
• FGDR deposit protection

Pros:

• Innovator in digital banking
• Reputable brand
• Free accounts available
• FGDR deposit protection

Cons:

• Withdrew France retail circa 2022
• No accounts offered post 2022
• Legacy support only
• Highly irrelevant in 2026

10. Shine

Société Générale’s acquisition of Shine resulted in the creation of a digital banking service offered in France through a French IBAN. Accounts were tailored for SMEs and freelancers and included monthly fees arranged from €7. The accounts included services for invoicing, tax management, and business banking.

Clients were free from banking fees on withdrawals from ATMs located in France and the euro-zone. There were foreign currency fees on transactions done outside the euro-zone. Transactions to and from the euro-zone were possible through SEPA and SWIFT transfers.

Security was high, and the FGDR guaranteed customer deposits of up to €100,000. Shine was the first bank to offer services tailored to freelancers, and integrated financial and administrative services, which appealed to entrepreneurs and was strengthened by Société Générale’s financial and compliance services.

Shine Key Features

• Backed by Société Générale
• French IBAN for freelancers/SMEs
• Monthly cost starting at €7
• Includes tax management and invoicing tools
• SEPA/SWIFT transfers supported

Pros:

• Services developed for entrepreneurs
• Integrated tax and invoicing services
• Strong brand trust
• FGDR deposit protection

Cons:

• Mandatory €7 fee each month
• Very limited personal accounts
• FX fees apply for international transactions
• Very niche service

Conclusion

In 2026, French digital banking will be an established, competitive marketplace where services that are innovative, transparent, and customer-centric will prevail. In this marketplace, BoursoBank is the leader of the digital banking ecosystem, while Hello Bank! and Fortuneo combine digital banking convenience with the safety-net of strong institutions.

Revolut and N26 cater to clients with an international focus, while Monabanq and Shine differentiate themselves with a service quality focus and addressing business needs. The digital banking advancements of Orange Bank and ING Direct demonstrate the legacy banks’ evolution within the digital banking landscape.

These banks herald the trend of a diverse and secure choice of convenient, innovative digital banking options for entrepreneurs, professionals, and individual clients within France.

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