Bank Fees in France Set to Rise Again in 2026: What Consumers Need to Know

Bank Fees in France Set to Rise Again in 2026

After several years of steady increases, French bank fees are climbing once more in 2026 — this time by an average of 3%, according to a new report from the French consumer association CLCV. The rise affects nearly all banking services, from everyday accounts to debit cards, and it comes at a time when inflation has significantly slowed.

While inflation stood at around 0.8% in December 2025, the increase in bank charges far outpaces that, adding extra strain on household budgets already stretched by energy and housing costs.

The Biggest Increases Are on Everyday Essentials

The CLCV report highlights that basic account management fees—often unavoidable for account holders—have seen the steepest jump.

Account maintenance fees are now averaging €24.64 per year, up more than 6% from 2025.
Bank card fees rise across all types of cards by more than 2%.
Withdrawals from ATMs outside the customer’s home network have also become more expensive.
Incident fees, such as overdrafts or failed payments, are climbing too, hitting the most financially vulnerable clients hardest.

These increases put extra pressure on day-to-day banking costs, particularly for those who rely on traditional bank branches.

By Customer Profile: Who Pays the Most?

The report categorises users by consumption levels, showing consistent upward trends:

Light users: €71.71 on average per year (+2.98%)
Average users: €135.47 (+3.77%)
Heavy users: €221.16 (+3.04%)

For the average French household, these costs represent a small but rising share of total annual expenses—amounting to about 0.54% of household budgets, according to the French Banking Federation (FBF).

Société Générale Among the Most Expensive

Among 107 banking institutions reviewed, Société Générale ranks as one of the most expensive across all user categories. Certain Banques Populaires branches weren’t far behind.

On the other end of the spectrum:

Crédit Agricole often provides the most competitive rates across all profiles.
LCL offers better value for light users.
Crédit Coopératif stands out for customers with more complex needs or higher banking volumes.

The FBF defends these fee hikes, stating they reflect investments in digital innovation and security, including the rollout of platforms like Wero and new instant transfer services.

How Consumers Can Avoid Paying More

French consumers can still take action to limit the impact of these fee hikes. A few practical tips include:

Compare bank offers annually — fee differences can vary significantly between networks.
Consider online banks like Boursorama, Hello Bank!, or Fortuneo, which often offer low or even zero-fee accounts.
Use in-network ATMs to avoid unnecessary withdrawal charges.
Negotiate directly with your bank, especially if you are a long-term customer.

For many expatriates and residents managing day-to-day finances in France, switching to a digital bank continues to be one of the easiest ways to save money while enjoying modern, mobile-friendly services.

What This Means for 2026

As everyday costs rise across Europe, the increase in French bank fees highlights a growing disconnect between major banks’ service investments and customers’ financial realities. For consumers, this may mark another turning point pushing them away from traditional banking toward online alternatives that offer transparency, flexibility, and lower costs.