Repatriating your money to France: how does it work and what are your options?

When it comes to repatriating your money to France, from a country outside or within the SEPA zone, there are many options. But how exactly does it work? What are the steps to follow? What fees should you expect, and how can you minimize them—or even avoid them altogether? We take a look.

With a Wise account, you can repatriate your money to France in 8+ different currencies at a lower cost. Opened for free in just a few moments, a Wise account allows you to hold and convert 40+ currencies at the mid-market exchange rate.

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How to repatriate your money to France: everything you need to know

If you want to transfer funds from abroad to France, here’s what you need to know.

Repatriating foreign money to France: what does the law say?

Since 1990, individuals residing in France have had the right to hold money abroad and to move it freely into France.

Before making the transfer, be aware that there are two types of declarations that must be made to the relevant authorities:

• When transferring funds (for example, foreign currency) to France.
• Declaring your foreign accounts.

These declarations are mandatory and free of charge. You can complete them by sending a letter to the relevant departments or by filling out an online form with the required information.

How to repatriate your money to France: the available options

If you have money abroad and want to move it to France, here are your main options:

• Carrying cash: For amounts under €10,000 from a country within or outside the SEPA zone, you can carry the money freely without authorization. For amounts over €10,000, you must declare it and obtain customs approval to bring it into France. For safety reasons, avoid traveling with large sums of money.
• Making a bank transfer: If you’re transferring money from an account abroad—such as in the United States—to an account in France, check with your bank about the process. For large transfers, many banks require a tax receipt to confirm the source and legality of the funds.

Repatriating Swiss money to France

To transfer money from Switzerland to France, you have several options:

• Carry cash, provided the amount does not exceed the limit set by Swiss and French customs.
• Make a bank transfer from your Swiss account to your French bank account.

Again, it’s essential to speak with your banks in both Switzerland and France to confirm the terms and feasibility of the transaction.

Repatriating your money to France: precautions to take

If you plan to transfer funds from abroad (in euros or foreign currency) to France, here are a few important things to keep in mind:

Beware of exchange fees

When sending foreign currencies to France, keep in mind that most traditional banks charge exchange fees. These fees are applied when converting the transferred amount (e.g., Pound Sterling) into euros.

Since these banks often use a less favorable exchange rate, costs can be particularly high—especially for large transfers. In addition, there may be fixed or variable commissions depending on the bank’s pricing policy.

With a Wise account, for example, you can transfer money from abroad at a lower cost and without hidden fees.

Why? Because Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate when converting currencies and does not apply expensive commissions on these transactions.

Don't carry large sums of cash

Some people are forced to move large sums of cash from one country to another. This can make them a target for theft or assault and could result in losing everything.

Unless you absolutely must travel with a lot of cash, it is strongly recommended to use a bank transfer instead. If you do have to travel with cash, make sure to take appropriate safety precautions.

With Wise, repatriating your money to France is both easy and economical!

When it comes to repatriating your money to France, many people are unsure of the process. Bank transfers between traditional banks are often long, complex, and expensive due to exchange rate fees and commissions. On top of this, administrative procedures can be restrictive and daunting.

With a Wise account, you can repatriate your money simply, quickly, and at a lower cost to France. Some of the benefits of opening a Wise account include:

• Send money at low fees to 140+ countries (SEPA zone and outside).
• Hold and convert 40+ currencies and switch between them instantly at the mid-market exchange rate.
• Get local bank details for 8+ different currencies.
• Receive a Wise debit card for a €7 delivery fee to withdraw cash from millions of ATMs worldwide.
• No monthly subscription fees are required to keep your account.

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This article is a translation of the original article published in French and was translated within 365 days of publication. While the content has been translated for accessibility, the data and sources referenced have not been updated since the original publication date.