Finance & Taxation
Banking in France
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Which Bank?
- 3. Opening a Bank Account
- 4. Running Your Bank Account
- 5. French Bank Cards
- 6. French Cheques
- 7. International Bank Transfers
- 8. Overdrafts in France
- 9. Loans in France
- 10. Savings Accounts
- 11. Complaints
- 12. Glossary
Guides to France
Property in France
- Buying property in France
- Buying off-plan in France
- French property auctions
- SCI Ownership
- French property rights
- Renting property in France
- Selling property in France
Building & Renovation
- Building a house in France
- French planning system
- Property renovation in France
- French property rights
- French Mobile Homes
Work & Business
Money & Taxation
- Banking in France
- French mortgages
- Currency Exchange
- Taxes in France
- French inheritance
- French home insurance
Living in France
Useful Links
AdvertiseNetwork Sites
Helpful Links
News
Services
- French Health Insurance
- French Home Insurance
- Inheritance Tax & Law Consultancy
- French Planning
- Transfer Money to France
- Metric Unit Conversion
If you require advice and assistance with the purchase of French property and moving to France, then take a look at the France Insider Property Clinic.
4. Managing Your French Bank Account
- Cash Withdrawals
- Direct Debits and Standing Orders
- Statements
- Bank Overdrafts
- Closing/Transferring Account
- Death of Spouse/Partner
- Seizure of Account
4.4. Bank Overdrafts in France
An overdraft in France is called a découvert.
As a general rule, French banks take a tough line on unauthorised overdrafts.
Unless you receive the prior authorisation you will not be allowed to go into debit.
Accordingly, if you issue a cheque without sufficient funds in your account you face the risk that it will not be paid.
However, it is not as cut and dry as it often seems. If you have a good relationship with your bank it may be paid, provided they are confident that funds will be deposited to regularise the account.
If you want a regular overdraft facility each month, pending the receipt of funds into the account, then you need to ask for a facilité de caisse.
The best time to ask for one is not when you find yourself in difficulty, but when things are going well!
If you choose one of the 'packages' when you open your account, then would be a good time to negotiate an overdraft facility.
If you require a more specific ongoing overdraft then you will need to obtain a découvert autorisé.
Banks in France set their own overdraft charges, but there are some controls on how far they can go.
An unauthorised overdraft is called a dépassement de découvert or découvert non autorisé.
If you exceed your authorised overdraft then there is a ceiling on the charges that can be imposed:
€8 for one transaction;
€80 per month.
Next: Closing/Transferring Account
Back: Bank Statements
The Guides to France are published for general information only.
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