Switching business account in France, how the process works

Snapshot

Switching a business account in France is mostly about moving your recurring payments without disruption. The Macron law bank mobility service covers personal accounts, not professional ones, so a business usually redirects its own SEPA direct debits and transfers, moves funds gradually, then closes the old account.

Mobility service: The Macron law service covers personal accounts, not professional accounts. As of 27 April 2026.
Main task: Redirecting SEPA direct debits and recurring transfers to the new RIB.
Overlap period: Keeping the old account open a few weeks to catch pending items.
Most providers: Support moving payments, with some offering their own help

Fees and features as of 27 April 2026Last reviewed 27 April 2026

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

Switching a business account in France is largely an administrative exercise in moving your recurring payments. The bank mobility service created by the Macron law applies to personal current accounts, so a professional account is generally not covered and the business manages the move itself. You open the new account, list every SEPA direct debit and recurring transfer from your statements, send your new RIB to payers and payees including suppliers, Urssaf and the tax authority, transfer funds gradually, and keep the old account open for a few weeks before closing it. Some providers offer their own switching help, so confirm what is included.

How switching a business account works in France

France has a bank mobility service, the aide à la mobilité bancaire introduced by the Macron law, under which a new bank can handle the transfer of recurring payment details for an individual. That service is designed for personal current accounts and does not extend to professional accounts, so a business changing banks generally carries out the steps itself. The aim is to avoid missed payments and rejected direct debits during the move. As of 27 April 2026.

Moving payments and funds

Review your statements, at least the last three months and ideally a full year, to capture every SEPA direct debit, standing transfer, and recurring credit. Send your new RIB to each supplier you pay and each customer or platform that pays you, and update bodies such as Urssaf, the tax authority and any insurer. Transfer funds in stages rather than all at once, and keep enough in the old account to cover items that are still clearing. As of 27 April 2026.

Closing the old account

Keep an eye on the old account for a few weeks, often around two to four, to catch late direct debits and uncleared items. Once payments are flowing through the new account and nothing is outstanding, ask the old bank to close the account and confirm there are no remaining fees or linked products. Tell your accountant and update your bank details wherever your SIRET is on file. As of 27 April 2026.

What to line up before you switch

Prepare these before switching a business account in France, as of 27 April 2026. Verify with the provider

A list of every SEPA direct debit, standing transfer, and recurring credit from at least three months of statements.
Your new RIB ready to send to suppliers, customers, payroll, Urssaf, the tax authority and insurers.
A plan to move funds in stages and a buffer left in the old account for pending items.

How to switch step by step

Open the new account, confirm it is active, and obtain your new RIB.
Redirect SEPA direct debits and recurring transfers, then move funds gradually while keeping a buffer.
Watch the old account for a few weeks, settle outstanding items, then close it.

Compare business accounts available in France

These providers accept business customers in France. Fees and eligibility shown as of 27 April 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

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Questions about switching in France

Does the French bank mobility service cover business accounts?

No. The bank mobility service under the Macron law applies to personal current accounts of individuals, not to professional accounts. A business changing banks generally has to move its recurring payments itself, although some providers offer their own assistance. As of 27 April 2026. Verify with the provider.

How do you move SEPA payments when switching a business account in France?

Review at least three months, and ideally a year, of statements to list every SEPA direct debit and recurring transfer, then send your new RIB to each payer and payee, including suppliers, Urssaf and the tax authority, and update your standing orders. As of 27 April 2026.

How long should you keep the old account open?

It is common to keep the old account open for a few weeks after switching to catch pending direct debits and uncleared items, leaving enough balance to cover them, before closing it. As of 27 April 2026. Verify with the provider.

Do some French providers help with switching?

Some banks and digital providers for professionals offer their own switching help, where the new provider assists with updating your bank details with bodies such as Urssaf and suppliers. The scope of any such service varies, so confirm what is included before relying on it. As of 27 April 2026.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 27 April 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.