SendMoneyCompare — International Money Transfer Comparison

Akif Hazarvi

France IBAN

FR·EUR·SEPA

The International Bank Account Number (IBAN) for France is 27 characters long and is used to identify bank accounts for international transactions, within the SEPA network for euro transfers and via SWIFT for non-euro currencies.

A France IBAN begins with the country code FR and two check digits, followed by the 23-character BBAN (Basic Bank Account Number). The France BBAN encodes a 5-character bank code, followed by a 5-character branch code, followed by a 11-character account number, followed by a 2-character national check digit. As a SEPA member, France supports low-cost euro transfers across 36+ European countries using the EUR currency. Always include the full 27-character IBAN together with the bank's BIC/SWIFT code when making or receiving international payments.

Quick answer: A French IBAN is 27 characters long and starts with "FR" followed by two check digits, a 5-digit bank code, a 5-digit branch code (code guichet), an 11-character account number, and a 2-digit national RIB key. Example: FR14 2004 1010 0505 0001 3M02 606. Within SEPA the IBAN alone is sufficient; non-SEPA senders also need the BIC. French banks (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, La Banque Postale) display the IBAN on every RIB (Relevé d'Identité Bancaire).

IBAN Length

27 chars

Currency

EUR

SEPA

Yes

Banks

15+

Example IBAN

Electronic format

FR1420041010050500013M02606

Print format

FR14 2004 1010 0505 0001 3M02 606

IBAN structure for France

A France IBAN is 27 characters long and consists of the following components:

Country code

FR

Check digits

14

Bank code

5 chars

Branch code

5 chars

Account number

11 chars

National check digit

2 chars

Total length27 characters

BBAN format details

The Basic Bank Account Number (BBAN) is the domestic part of the IBAN, following the country code and check digits. Here is the BBAN validation format for France:

Bank code5 characters

^[0-9]{5}

Branch code5 characters

^[0-9]{5}

Account number11 characters

^[a-zA-Z0-9]{11}

National check digit2 characters

^[0-9]{2}

Major banks in France

15 banks in France that support IBAN-based international transfers:

B

BNP Paribas

C

Caisse d'Epargne

C

Crédit Agricole

C

Credit Lyonnais S.A.

C

Crédit Mutuel

H

HSBC

S

Société Générale

C

CM - Cic Banques

U

Unibanque

B

Banque De France

B

Bred Banque Populaire

L

LCL Banque Privee

F

Financiere Des Paiements Electroniques

L

La Banque Postale

S

Société Générale

Understanding IBAN in France

What is the IBAN format in France

An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is an internationally-agreed code made up of up to 34 letters and numbers that helps banks make sure that international transfers are processed correctly. Each set of characters represents a different detail for your bank account. You can see the breakdown of this IBAN below.

What is the IBAN code in France

IBAN in France consists of 27 characters: 2 letter country code 2 digit check number 5 characters from the bank's bank code 5 digit code for the bank branch 11 digit code for the bank account number 2 digit code for national code

Do you need an IBAN in France

Yes. If you’re making – or expecting to receive – an international money transfer to a bank account in France, then just a standard bank account number isn’t enough. If you want your money to arrive quickly and safely, you’ll usually need to give the bank a few extra details, such as an IBAN or SWIFT code. Banks assign IBANs to each of their accounts to make sure that international transfers are processed correctly. IBANs contain all of the country, bank, and account details you need to send or receive money internationally. This system is used throughout Europe, and also recognised in some areas of the Middle East, North Africa and the Caribbean.

Frequently asked questions

What is the IBAN format for France?

A French IBAN is exactly 27 characters long. It starts with FR, 2 check digits, a 5-digit bank code, a 5-digit branch code (code guichet), an 11-character account number, and a 2-digit national check key (cle RIB). Example: FR76 3000 6000 0112 3456 7890 189.

How do I find my IBAN in France?

Your FR IBAN is displayed in your bank's online banking (espace client) or mobile app. BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, Credit Agricole, and La Banque Postale all show the 27-character IBAN on the account details page. It also appears on your RIB (Releve d'Identite Bancaire), which you can download or print from your online banking.

Is France part of SEPA?

Yes. France is a founding eurozone and SEPA member. Euro transfers from other EU and EEA countries are processed via SEPA Credit Transfer (SCT) or SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Inst). Within SEPA, only the FR IBAN is required — no BIC/SWIFT code is needed.

What is a RIB and how does it relate to the French IBAN?

A RIB (Releve d'Identite Bancaire) is the French bank account identification document containing the bank code, branch code (code guichet), account number, and RIB key. All of these components map directly into the French IBAN. The IBAN is essentially FR + 2 check digits + the full RIB. When someone asks for your RIB, providing your IBAN is equivalent.

Do I need a BIC code for SEPA transfers to France?

No. For SEPA Credit Transfers within the EU and EEA, only the FR IBAN is required. BIC is no longer mandatory for intra-SEPA transfers. For transfers from outside SEPA (such as from the US, UK post-Brexit, or Asia), the sender should include both your FR IBAN and your bank's SWIFT/BIC code.

How do direct debits (prelevement) work with the French IBAN?

SEPA Direct Debits (prelevement SEPA) in France require your IBAN and a signed SEPA mandate (mandat de prelevement). This is the standard for paying French utilities (EDF, water), rent, insurance premiums, and subscription services like internet and mobile phone plans. Provide your FR IBAN on the mandate form to authorise collections.

What are common mistakes when sharing a French IBAN?

Common mistakes include: confusing the RIB key (2 digits) with the IBAN check digits, providing only the domestic account number without the FR prefix and codes, and mixing up the bank code with the branch code (code guichet). The 27-character length is among the longest in SEPA, so digit transposition errors are more likely — always verify carefully.

How IBAN is used in France

France transitioned smoothly to IBAN because the existing RIB (Releve d'Identite Bancaire) structure maps neatly into the IBAN format. The RIB contains a bank code, branch code (code guichet), account number, and a two-digit RIB key, all of which slot directly into the 27-character French IBAN. SEPA transfers using the IBAN are the standard for both domestic and cross-border euro payments.

A French IBAN is 27 characters long, starting with FR, two check digits, then the five-digit bank code, five-digit branch code, eleven-character account number, and two-digit national check key. If you have a RIB from your bank, the conversion to IBAN is direct.
All major French banks — BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, Credit Agricole, and La Banque Postale — display the IBAN prominently in online banking. For receiving international transfers, providing the IBAN alone is sufficient for SEPA payments, though non-SEPA senders will also need the BIC.
When setting up a prelevement (direct debit) for French utilities, rent, or subscriptions, you will be asked to fill out a SEPA mandate form with your IBAN. Ensure the IBAN is accurate, as incorrect digits will cause the mandate to be rejected by your bank.