Paying cash into a French bank might be a little more difficult than you would think – or hope.
Many banks in France are regionalised so if you want to make a cash deposit into a branch outside your home bank region, that branch may not have access to your account details even though it is a branch of the same bank.
A transaction to pay cash into a branch outside your region is called a versement déplacé. Cash is called argent liquid or espèces (French bank terms and abbreviations explained).
Some banks in France may refuse to take cash deposit for an account held with a branch in another region. Check in advance with your branch or the local branch to confirm they accept cash deposits from out of region account holders.
When you do go to pay cash in – take your passport or ID book, your cheque book with RIB slip (see more on RIB here), and be aware that you may be asked to show a utility bill.
You may also find that individual banks, especially in rural areas, have a paying in policy that defines which days you can – or indeed cannot – personally pay cash deposits over the counter. You can ask at the branch in advance for details of this.
We advise you to check with your own branch what their policy is for paying cash in to your account in your home branch and if you wish to pay cash over the counter from another region if this facility is important to you.
You may be able to pay cash into your own branch using cash payment envelopes – check with your branch in advance to make sure that you are eligible for this service.
