Personal Finance Tips

Top payment methods in France: A guide on best ways to pay

Nicholas Chia

25.08.25

Read time 2 minutes

Wondering what the most popular ways to pay are in France? Explore the top payment options and choose wisely.

France, with a population of around 68.63 million people, has a GDP of approximately 3.21 trillion, making it the 7th largest economy in the world. The official currency of France is the Euro (EUR).

A large, diversified economy driven by services, manufacturing (aerospace, automotive), tourism, and luxury goods. It is a leading member of the European Union and the Eurozone, with Germany being its most important trading partner.


Country	France
Population	68.63 million
GDP (USD)	3.21 trillion
Global Ranking	7th
Currency	Euro (EUR)

What is the main payment method in France?

The national card scheme, Cartes Bancaires (CB), which is typically co-branded with Visa or Mastercard, is the most used payment method in France for both online and in-store transactions.¹ Digital wallets such as PayPal and Apple Pay are growing rapidly, valued for their convenience in online shopping and for making contactless payments. For recurring payments like utilities, rent, and subscriptions, the SEPA Direct Debit (known as "Prélèvement") is the standard.²

How to pay in France

Each country has its own way of moving money, and choosing the right method can sometimes be difficult. That’s why we have curated the most popular and best payment options for you to use in France.

Payment method	Description	Type
Wise	Wise provides international money transfer services. It is known for offering transparent, low-cost currency exchange rates and fast transfers. Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate and charges a small, upfront fee, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional banks for sending money abroad. The platform also offers multi-currency accounts, allowing users to hold and manage money in multiple currencies.	Online/in-person
Cards (Carte Bancaire - CB)	The national card scheme, Carte Bancaire (CB), is the dominant payment method. Most cards are co-branded with Visa or Mastercard. Contactless payment is standard.¹	Online/in-person
SEPA Bank Transfers	SEPA Direct Debit is a very common method for paying recurring bills like utilities, rent, and subscriptions.² SEPA Credit Transfers are used for one-off large payments.³	Online
Digital Wallets (PayPal, Apple/Google Pay)	PayPal is very popular for e-commerce.⁴ Mobile wallets like Apple Pay⁵ and Google Pay⁶ are also widely used for in-person and online transactions.	Online/in-person
Cash (Euro)	While digital payments are preferred, cash is still widely used and accepted across the country, particularly for smaller purchases.	In-person

Is PayPal available in France?

Yes, PayPal is accepted in France.⁴

Cover all your international travel expenses with the Wise Multi-Currency Card

Whatever you need to buy during your trip, whether it’s a travel adapter, train ticket or an extra bottle of sunscreen, the Wise Multi-Currency Card has you covered.

You can spend like a local in 150+ countries, as this clever contactless card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend - for just a small conversion fee.

And for extra convenience, you can add your Wise Multi-Currency Card to your Google Wallet or Apple Wallet. Then you can travel even lighter and pay using just your phone, with no need to pack the physical card.

Get started with Wise

*Wise is not a bank. The Wise Multi-Currency Card is issued by our sponsor Bank(s), member(s) FDIC. Fees and T&C apply. See https://growth-layer.live/%3C/a%3E for details.

Sources:

Groupement des Cartes Bancaires CB - Who are we

European Payments Council - SEPA Direct Debit

European Payments Council - SEPA Credit Transfer

PayPal France

Apple - Apple Pay participating banks in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

Google - Supported payment methods for Google Wallet

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.