International Money Transfers for Expats in France (2025): Wise, Revolut, Banks – Fees, Rates, Real-World Tips

Inside the euro area, SEPA transfers in euros remain free or almost free in most French banks. The real problem starts once you move money in non-euro currencies such as GBP, USD, CHF or CAD. Traditional banks often charge a fixed fee (for example €15–25) plus a 2–3% FX margin added to their internal rate. Fintechs forced these costs into the open.

Wise uses the real mid-market rate and charges a transparent percentage fee (around 0.5% in many common routes). Revolut gives you an interbank rate within a monthly free allowance depending on your plan. N26 integrates Wise transfers directly in its app.

Example: sending €1,000 to the UK
- Around €25 through a traditional bank, with a delay of 3–5 business days
- Around €4.80 through Wise, often arriving in under 24 hours
- €0 through Revolut if you stay inside your monthly free FX quota

A. British retiree in Nice
He transfers his monthly GBP pension to a euro current account in France. Switching from a large UK bank to Wise saves him several euros on each transfer, adding up to roughly €250 per year, simply by improving the FX rate and reducing fees.

B. Canadian student in Lyon
Her parents send 1,000 CAD monthly to cover rent and living costs. With Revolut, they convert Canadian dollars to euros at an interbank rate during the week, then send a local transfer instantly to their daughter’s French IBAN.

C. Swiss freelancer invoicing in CHF
He bills clients in Swiss francs to a Revolut Business account, then converts to euros to pay his expenses in France. Compared with a classic Swiss bank, his FX margin is cut by around two-thirds and transfers clear faster.

Money transfers themselves are not taxed as such in France. However, they can be reviewed by tax authorities if amounts are high or very regular. The goal is to check that the origin of funds matches what you declare.

- Declare any foreign bank accounts to the French tax administration using form 3916-bis on impots.gouv.fr.
- Keep PDF proof (statements, invoices, contracts) for any transfer above €10,000.
- In case of an audit, authorities can compare cash flows on your accounts with your declared tax reference income.

For social security or benefit claims, some agencies (for example the French family benefits fund CAF) or health insurance may ask for regular income or pension proof. In that context, detailed statements from Wise or Revolut can be accepted, as long as operations are clearly labelled.

If you are a retiree or non-working resident, changes to French social security rules can also affect how your income is assessed. For more context, see our dedicated guide: End of "Free Social Security" for Foreigners in France.

• Check the real FX rate before sending, for instance through Google or an independent comparison site.
  - Avoid transferring on week-ends: some providers such as Revolut apply an extra FX margin outside business days.
  - Schedule recurring transfers (rent, pension, family support) through Wise or Revolut to smooth out currency fluctuations.
  - Use a multi-currency account if you regularly receive several currencies, for example Wise or N26.
  - For large amounts, test first with a small €10 transfer to confirm real speed, routing and any intermediary bank fees.

• Before optimising transfers, make sure your main current account is adapted to expat life. Our pillar guide on the best banks for expats in Europe helps you choose solid day-to-day banking: Best Banks for Expats in Europe.
  - If you plan to change bank entirely to access lower international fees, see our step-by-step article on how to switch safely: Switching Bank Accounts as an Expat.
  - Finally, for retirees and non-working residents, the end of "free" access to French social security has a direct impact on how your income is checked. Our in-depth explainer is here: End of "Free Social Security" for Foreigners in France.

International transfers are no longer a luxury service. With tools like Wise and Revolut, expats can save up to 90% in fees compared with traditional banks. The key is to take back control: compare options, test with small amounts, and automate what you can. Your money should follow your mobility, not hold it back.