MONEY MATTERS

You have several different payment options available using your current account in France.

CASH

There are 24-hour cash machines (distributeurs automatiques de billets) throughout France. Cash is still used widely, as many shops and services won't accept card payments for amounts under €15.

CHEQUES

These are much more widely used in France than in the U.K. or U.S. When paying by cheque you will normally be asked for proof of identity, usually a passport or residence permit. Cheque guarantee cards don't exist because it is illegal in France to write a cheque if you do not have sufficient funds to draw on. Be aware that bouncing cheques (or exceeding your overdraft limit) can have serious consequences in France. In the worst case scenario, it can lead to being prohibited from holding a bank account for up to 5 years.

CARDS

Credit cards are not very common in France, however they are widely accepted. The French "carte bleue" or debit card is much more common whereby the amount of your payment is either debited immediately from your account or on a certain day of the month if you choose the deferred payment option, which costs slightly more.

BILL PAYMENTS

Most recurring payments in France are done either by money transfer (virement), direct debit (prélèvement), which you authorise by signing what is called "une autorisation de prélèvement", or a temporary payment order (titre interbancaire de paiement or TIP), which you authorise by signing a detachable slip already filled out with you bank account details.

The TIP is a very handy method of bill payment for non-French people as it requires very little knowledge of the language.