Banking Licence in France
EU passporting, second-largest EU economy. ACPR + ECB regulated. Capital from €5M. Typical timeline 12 to 24 months.
Speak to a licensing expert
Tell us the business, the markets and your timing. Every enquiry is answered the same business day, with a written proposal: the licence, the requirements, the cost and the timeline.
Your enquiry
Why France for Your Banking Licence?
France offers access to a large domestic market and has actively positioned Paris as a post-Brexit financial centre.
The ACPR oversees banking authorisation in France. France has a large and sophisticated banking sector and is actively supporting fintech innovation.
Licence requirements
Detailed requirements
€5 million capital. Comprehensive CRD/CRR requirements. French-language documentation may be required.
Application process
Regulatory Strategy
We assess your business model and regulatory position to develop a clear licensing strategy.
Business Plan
We prepare a comprehensive business plan meeting the regulator's expectations.
Programme of Operations
Detailed programme of operations covering governance, compliance, and operational arrangements.
Compliance Framework
Full AML/CFT framework, compliance monitoring programme, and risk management policies.
Application Submission
We compile and submit the complete application package to the regulator.
Regulator Review
We manage all regulator communications and information requests during the review period.
Authorisation
Upon approval, we support your transition to live operations.
Process detail
12 to 24 months.
France vs United Kingdom
| Criteria | France | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | €5M | £1M+ |
| Timeline | 12 to 24 months | 12 to 36 months |
| Regulator | ACPR + ECB | PRA + FCA |
| Key Feature | EU passporting, second-largest EU economy | Dual regulation, mobilisation stage available |
Related services
Licensing & Authorisation
Full-service licensing advisory from strategy to authorisation.
Compliance Support
Ongoing compliance frameworks tailored to your regulatory obligations.
Financial Crime
AML, KYC and financial crime prevention programmes.
Ready to get started?
Every enquiry is answered the same business day, with a written proposal.
Speak to a licensing expertFrequently asked questions
The capital requirement for a banking licence in France is €5M. €5 million capital. Comprehensive CRD/CRR requirements. French-language documentation may be required.
The typical timeline for a banking licence in France is 12 to 24 months. 12 to 24 months.
France offers access to a large domestic market and has actively positioned Paris as a post-Brexit financial centre.
After receiving your banking licence in France, you must maintain ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements including safeguarding of customer funds, regular regulatory reporting, maintaining adequate capital, updating AML and compliance frameworks, and cooperating with supervisory reviews and inspections.
Most jurisdictions require local substance for a banking licence. In France, you will typically need a registered office, at least one locally resident director, and potentially additional operational staff. We can advise on the exact requirements and help you establish the minimum viable local presence.
A banking licence in France provides access to the domestic market. EU passporting, second-largest EU economy. Separate authorisation may be required for other jurisdictions.