August 2026 edition · manually verified data
Online banks in France compared (August 2026)
A free account, a free card and a welcome bonus — but the details differ a lot. This comparison lines up France's online banks (Boursobank, Fortuneo, BforBank, Hello bank, Monabanq) and neobanks (N26, Revolut, Sumeria, Bunq, Nickel) by fees, free-card conditions, income requirement and welcome bonus. Every figure is sourced from the bank's page and verified manually.
Biggest welcome bonus
up to €300
Hello bank
Account fees from
0 €
most online banks
No income requirement
Monabanq
even for Visa Premier
Banks compared
10
verified pages
Online banks (full banks)
Backed by a major banking group, with a complete range (savings, credit, investing). Cards are often free subject to an income requirement or a usage condition.
| Bank | Group / type | Account fees | Bank card | Income requirement | Welcome bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boursobank | Société Générale | €0 | Welcome free · Ultim free (usage-based) | None (Welcome card) | up to €160 |
| Fortuneo | Crédit Mutuel Arkéa | €0 | Fosfo free · Gold free (income-based) | None (Fosfo) · €2,200/mo (Gold) | up to €250 (code FTN0726) |
| BforBank | Crédit Agricole | €0 | BforBASIC free · BforZEN €5/mo | None · €300 opening deposit | up to €260 (code 6K5S) |
| Hello bank | BNP Paribas | €0 | Hello One free · Prime (paid) | None (Hello One) | up to €300 |
| Monabanq | Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale | €3/mo (Pratiq+) | Visa included in the fee | None — even for Visa Premier (rare) | up to €280 (code PARCTC) |
Neobanks (mobile accounts)
Opened in minutes from your phone, with no income requirement — great as a second account or for travel, but with a narrower banking range.
| Bank | Group / type | Account fees | Bank card | Income requirement | Welcome bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N26 | Neobank (BaFin, Germany) | €0 (Standard) | Free Mastercard | None | €20 (after a €75 purchase) |
| Revolut | Neobank (Revolut Bank UAB, Lithuania) | €0 (Standard) | Free Visa/Mastercard · French IBAN | None | up to €20 + free card |
| Lydia / Sumeria | Sumeria (France) | €0 · account paying 1-2% | Basic (€5 shipping) · Standard €4.99/mo | None | up to €50 (code SRLRJ8DTW2) |
| Bunq | Neobank (Netherlands) | Plans with a monthly subscription | Mastercard (virtual + physical) | None | €10 + 10 trees planted |
| Compte Nickel | Account at the tobacconist (BNP group) | €25/yr (standard Nickel) | Mastercard + account details incl. | None · no overdraft | Campaign-based referral (~€5) |
Key takeaways
For a free everyday account, Boursobank and Fortuneo lead on price and range, while Hello bank offers the biggest bonus (up to €300). If your income rules out a free premium card, Monabanq takes anyone (the account is paid, ~€3/mo).
As a second account or for travel, N26 and Revolut are free and open instantly; Nickel is the fallback with no overdraft check, available at tobacconists.
👉 See the bonuses ranked in our bank referral bonus barometer.
Methodology
- Scope: retail online banks and neobanks available in France, split into full banks and mobile accounts. Traditional high-street bank offers are covered separately.
- Bonuses: the maximum a new customer can claim, conditions included (opening deposit, card payments, bank-mobility transfer). Amounts change with each campaign.
- Verification: each figure is sourced from the bank's own site and detailed on the corresponding VitePromo page, which shows its last verification date.
Figures may be reproduced freely with a link to this page as the source.
Frequently asked questions
Which online bank offers the biggest welcome bonus in 2026?
Hello bank leads with up to €300, ahead of Monabanq (€280), BforBank (€260), Fortuneo (€250) and Boursobank (€160). These bonuses are paid in stages — an opening deposit, a set number of card payments within 90 days, and a bank-switching (mobility) transfer — so read each page's conditions.
Online bank or neobank: what's the difference?
Online banks (Boursobank, Fortuneo, BforBank, Hello bank, Monabanq) are full banks backed by a major group, with a complete range — savings, credit, investing — and free cards often subject to an income requirement. Neobanks (N26, Revolut, Bunq, Sumeria, Nickel) are mobile-first accounts, opened in minutes with no income requirement, but with a narrower banking range.
Do I need a minimum income for a free card?
It depends. The basic card is usually free with no condition (Boursobank Welcome, Fortuneo Fosfo, Hello One). A free premium card can require income — Fortuneo's Gold needs €2,200/month. Monabanq is the exception among online banks: no income requirement at all, even for a Visa Premier (but the account is paid). Neobanks impose no income condition.
Are the welcome bonuses really free money?
Not without strings. They unlock in stages: a first deposit, several card payments within 90 days, and often transferring your direct debits via the legal bank-mobility service. Each brand page details the exact conditions and deadlines.
See also all comparisons, the bank bonus barometer and all Finance & Crypto promo codes.