A year ago, the measure was unanimous: instant transfer finally became free in all French banks. No more euros charged for each operation, until then. At the time, only 14% of establishments, especially online banks, offered it free of charge.
Since January 2025, you can transfer money in less than 10 seconds, at any time of the day or night, including weekends and public holidays, without spending a cent. The money is immediately available in the beneficiary’s account, unlike a traditional transfer which can take up to 48 working hours. A real leap forward to quickly pay a friend, pay a tradesman or finalize a purchase.
But in practice, perhaps you have tried to send an instant transfer and failed? On your application, the option does not appear, or the amount is refused. Nothing abnormal: you are probably outside the limits imposed by your bank. Each bank has set its own rules, if you do not know them, you risk finding yourself stuck at the wrong time.
Fast service… but under conditions
On paper, European regulations authorize up to 100,000 euros per operation. But in reality, the amounts are much lower. A few hundred euros in some establishments, several thousand in others. To limit risks, each bank determines its own limits.
Thus, some establishments impose a limit per day, others per operation. For example, you want to send 3,000 euros and you can’t because your bank caps the instant transfer at 2,000 euros. This maximum authorized amount is indicated in your account agreement.
You should also know that, for security reasons, some banks reduce the ceiling if the beneficiary’s RIB has just been added. It is sometimes possible to modify the ceiling yourself from its application, but often you have to go through an advisor. Finally, as a precaution, most banks prohibit instant transfers from a minor’s account.
Another point to remember: savings accounts are excluded. It is impossible to send or receive an instant transfer from or to a Livret A or any other savings product. Only current accounts are eligible. Instant transfer is also reserved for the SEPA zone. You can’t send money instantly to Turkey, Morocco or Tunisia, for example.
Free, but not without risks
Be careful, the speed of instant transfer also makes it a prime target for fraudsters. To limit the risks, a European system has become mandatory since October 2025: verification of the beneficiary. Before validating a transfer, your bank now checks that the name you have indicated corresponds to the identity associated with the recipient’s IBAN. Added to this is strong double authentication which requires you to validate each instant transfer via your mobile, by SMS code or biometrics.
However, these constraints do not seem to slow down the success of the service: according to a study by the Banque de France published in mid-December 2025, 600 million instant transfers were made in France in 2024 for an average amount of 387 euros. With free access now widespread, these volumes should further increase significantly in 2025 and 2026.
