Credit Cards in France: Everything You Need to Know

In France, credit cards are widely accepted, especially in major cities like Paris and Lyon. You can use them to pay for everything from food to transportation.

Most credit cards in France are issued by international banks, such as Visa and Mastercard, and are widely accepted by merchants. This makes it easy for tourists to use their credit cards when traveling.

Some credit cards in France also come with additional benefits, like travel insurance and concierge services. These perks can be especially useful for tourists who want to make the most of their trip.

Before using a credit card in France, it's a good idea to check with your bank to see if they charge any foreign transaction fees. This can help you avoid unexpected charges on your bill.

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Using credit cards in France can be a convenient way to make purchases, especially when traveling. Most bank cards in France today are international, allowing you to make payments and withdraw money within the Euro zone and outside of it, albeit with a fee.

This fee varies from one bank to another, but is typically cheaper with online banks. If you're planning to use your credit card abroad, it's worth checking with your bank to see what fees they charge.

If you're a frequent shopper at a particular store, consider using a credit card provided by that store in partnership with a bank. These cards often come with loyalty benefits, such as discounts and speedy check-outs.

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You can use your credit or debit card in France, as long as it's a MasterCard or Visa card with a chip-and-pin feature or a magnetic strip on the back.

French ATMs display logos of all card networks they're compatible with, so you can easily find a compatible ATM.

Always let your bank know you'll be abroad, as they might freeze your card if they think your transactions are suspicious.

French ATM keypads don't have letters, so you'll need to know your PIN numerically, and it must be four digits long.

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Most bank cards in France today are international, offering the same conditions as national cards within the Euro zone.

These international cards often come with travel insurances, such as health insurance, death insurance, and lost or stolen luggage insurance.

The fee for using international cards varies from one bank to another, but it's typically cheaper with online banks.

You can find the closest compatible ATM using the Visa ATM locator or Mastercard ATM locator.

Some international cards also offer exoneration from paying a deposit on car rentals and early hotel reservations, subject to certain conditions.

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French ATM fees are a thing to watch out for, especially if you're not used to using ATMs abroad. French banks don't charge foreigners any fees to use ATMs.

Privately-owned ATMs, on the other hand, charge expensive fees and should be avoided. You can spot these machines by the absence of any identifiable bank branding.

Some ATMs will ask if you want to be charged in your home currency. Always choose to be charged in the local currency, which is the Euro.

Withdrawals in the local currency are worked out at the mid-market rate, so you'll get a fair exchange rate.

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Using a Fortuneo MasterCard in France can be a great option for those looking for a hassle-free experience. You can enjoy no fees on payments and withdrawals anywhere in the world with Fortuneo's MasterCards.

One of the benefits of using a Fortuneo MasterCard is the insurance coverage it provides. You'll have access to medical assistance and repatriation, hospitalization, and legal assistance abroad, giving you peace of mind while traveling.

If you're looking to earn some extra cash, Fortuneo offers an 80 euros bonus for opening the first bank account with a Fortuneo MasterCard bank card. To qualify, you'll need to have made 5 payments with the new credit card in the first 90 days.

Here are some of the key features of Fortuneo's MasterCards:

Fortuneo's MasterCards also offer a range of discounts and benefits, including access to exclusive deals and experiences with the PriceLess Paris program. You'll also enjoy preferential conditions for your leisure activities, such as travel, vehicle rental, and shows.

If you're looking for a card with no minimum income conditions, Fortuneo's FOSFO card is a great option. You can also enjoy no account maintenance fees and add and view the accounts of your other banks in the Fortuneo app using account aggregation.

Overall, Fortuneo's MasterCards offer a range of benefits and features that make them a great choice for those looking for a hassle-free credit card experience in France.

Returning money to your credit card account in France is relatively straightforward. You can request payment into your bank account from €10 cumulative reimbursement.

If you have a credit card like the Cetelem Mastercard Cpay, you can pay back the money in installments, which can be a more manageable option than paying the full amount at once. You can also take advantage of reimbursement offers from retailers, which can help you pay back the money more quickly.

The Cetelem Mastercard Cpay allows you to pay cash, on credit in installments, or by choosing a monthly repayment. This flexibility can be helpful if you're struggling to pay back the money on time.

To request payment into your bank account, you'll need to meet the cumulative reimbursement threshold of €10. This means that you can't request payment until you've accumulated at least €10 in reimbursement offers.

Here are some banks in France that offer credit cards for non-residents, along with their main characteristics:

Note that this list is not exhaustive and is based on the article section examples provided.

Using a credit card in France can be a convenient and hassle-free experience, but it's essential to know the basics. You can use any MasterCard (Cirrus and Maestro) or Visa (Plus) card at ATMs in France.

Make sure to let your bank know you'll be abroad, so they don't freeze your card due to suspicious transactions. French ATM keypads don't have letters, so you'll need to know your PIN numerically.

The HSBC Visa Plus card is particularly suited for young travelers and comes with a range of benefits, including travel insurance, reimbursement of medical expenses, and more. Some of the benefits include connection with a doctor, transport, and repatriation.

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If you're looking for a credit card with rewards, the HSBC Visa Plus card offers loyalty points for each purchase, which can be used to pay for future purchases on partner sites.

The Cetelem Mastercard Cpay offers the best deals, payback in installments, discounts, and free credit cards. You can take advantage of offers negotiated for you all year round, valid in store or on the internet, and use your coupons directly from your smartphone.

The Société Générale V Pay card offers free withdrawal, student cards, and discounts. You can set cash withdrawal limits with the help of your advisor, and enjoy free cash withdrawals at Société Générale or Crédit du Nord ATMs.

Most bank cards in France today are international, allowing you to make payments and withdraw money under the same conditions in the Euro zone as in France, and outside of the zone within the Visa and Mastercard networks, in exchange for a fee.

Here are some of the Mastercard cards available in France:

Using a Conofiga MasterCard BHV Marais in France can be a convenient option for making purchases and enjoying rewards. You can take advantage of a 15% discount on your purchases when the card is opened.

One of the benefits of this card is the ability to pay back in installments, with free installment plans available on purchases of €100 or more in your Galeries Lafayette store or online. This can be helpful for managing your finances and avoiding high interest charges.

You'll also receive a 2-year warranty extension on your purchases, which can provide peace of mind and protection for your belongings. Additionally, you can enjoy online purchases delivery guarantee, which ensures that your items are delivered correctly and on time.

Here are some of the key benefits of the Conofiga MasterCard BHV Marais:

Using a Visa Electron card in France can be a convenient option for young people under 16 to 18 years old, as it gives access to a debit card with systematic authorization for an annual fee of €35.

One of the benefits of the HSBC Visa Electron is that it allows for a certain number of withdrawals from ATMs, including €1,200 from HSBC France ATMs and €300 from ATMs of other banks in France and abroad.

If you're planning to use your Visa Electron for international transactions, you'll be pleased to know that you can make payments up to €2,000 per 30 days, with a limit of €1,500 abroad (in local currency equivalent).

Here are some key features of the HSBC Visa Electron at a glance:

Teens in France can use payment cards designed specifically for them, allowing parents to control their financial operations and teaching financial literacy from an early age.

Banks in France have created cards for teens, such as the HSBC Visa Electron, which is particularly suited for young people under 16 to 18 years old.

The HSBC Visa Electron gives teens access to a debit card with systematic authorization for an annual fee of € 35. This card also allows for a certain number of withdrawals and payments.

Here are the details of the HSBC Visa Electron card:

Another option for teens is the Cetelem Mastercard Cpay, which offers best deals, pay back in installments, discounts, and free credit cards.

The Cpay Mastercard is linked to a revolving credit, allowing teens to pay cash, on credit in installments, or on credit by choosing a monthly repayment.

Using a Cetelem MasterCard Ford in France can provide you with some great benefits. You can pay on credit or cash, within your available limit.

One of the perks is the discount vouchers you can use at Ford dealerships. These vouchers can be used throughout the year, and you'll even get a €30 free voucher after your initial subscription. To qualify, you just need to make a purchase of €300 or more with your credit card.

You'll also receive 5% of the amount of your purchases back, if you spend €300 or more at a Ford dealership within the last 11 months. This is a nice little bonus to look forward to on your card's anniversary.

If you're a Ford car owner, you might appreciate the free initial technical inspection at a Ford dealership. This is a one-time offer, but it's a great way to save some money. Just be sure to make your first four annual inspections at a Ford dealership to qualify.

In the event of a windshield or optical element repair or replacement, your Ford dealer or agent will cover the franchise fee, up to €80. This can be a big help in unexpected situations.

With a Cetelem MasterCard Ford, you'll also have access to online delivery guarantees. If you purchase something online and it's not delivered or is delivered incorrectly, you can get a refund. This can give you peace of mind when shopping online.