Source: https://rivet.global/blog/best-business-bank-account-france
Published: 2026-07-30 · Updated: 2026-07-30 · By Alexia M.

# Best business bank account in France: SAS and SARL options

How a French SAS or SARL chooses a business account: traditional banks vs online accounts, capital deposit, SEPA, cards, accounting links and international payments.

## Key takeaways

- A new SAS or SARL needs a capital deposit certificate from a bank, notary or the Caisse des dépôts before registration.
- Traditional banks offer branches, cash handling and loans; online business accounts open faster and cost less.
- For SEPA-only businesses, compare fees, transaction limits, cards and accounting integrations.
- For clients in the US or UK, compare currency details and FX before the monthly fee.

"Best business bank account France" is the first completion for English searches about French business banking. The answer depends on the stage of the company and where its money comes from.

## Two kinds of account

| | Traditional bank | Online business account |
|---|---|---|
| Capital deposit | Yes | Several offer it |
| Cash deposits | Branch | Limited or none |
| Loans | Yes | Limited |
| Opening time | Days to weeks | Often days |
| Fees | Higher | Lower |
| Protection | FGDR for banks | FGDR or safeguarding, by status |

## Questions to ask

1. Will it issue the capital deposit certificate?
2. Does it accept your activity? Some exclude certain sectors.
3. Transaction and card limits on the plan.
4. Exports to your accountant's software.
5. Cards for the team, with limits.

## The international part

A Lyon studio with clients in the US and UK gets paid by SWIFT into a euro account, converted at the bank's rate. With USD and GBP details, those clients pay on their own local rails and the studio converts when it wants. It can also pay US software and UK contractors from those balances.

## A common setup

A French account for the capital, URSSAF, the tax office and direct debits, plus a multi-currency account for clients and suppliers outside the euro area.

## Paying into France: the local rail

| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local rail | SEPA Instant Credit Transfer |
| Run by | European Payments Council scheme, run by each bank |
| Settlement | Under ten seconds, 24/7 |
| Published fee | By the EU Instant Payments Regulation, no more than the bank charges for a standard SEPA transfer |

Source: [European Payments Council: SEPA Instant Credit Transfer](https://www.europeanpaymentscouncil.eu/what-we-do/sepa-instant-credit-transfer). Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.

## Where Rivet fits

Rivet opens accounts for registered companies, so it fits once your SAS is registered. EUR and GBP details come on Growth and USD on every plan, with payouts to 120+ countries. Check our eligibility list for French companies. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. See [France startups billing US customers](/blog/france-startup-billing-us-customers-in-dollars).

## Questions

### What is the best business bank account in France?

For a company needing loans and cash, a traditional bank. For an online business, an online account is usually cheaper. For international clients, add a multi-currency account.

### Is a business account mandatory for a French company?

Yes. A company (SAS, SARL) must have a separate professional account.

### Can an online bank issue the capital deposit certificate?

Several online providers offer capital deposits for companies in formation. Check before you start.

### What protects my deposits?

Deposits at French banks are covered by the FGDR up to €100,000 per depositor per bank. Payment and e-money institutions safeguard funds instead.