5. French Bank Cards - Cartes Banques

1. 5.1. Euro/Mastercard/Visa Cards
2. 5.2. Other Cards

5.1. Euro/Mastercard/Visa Cards in France

There are a range of both debit and credit cards available in France, but the one most widely used is a Carte Bancaire (CB), whether Eurocard/Mastercard or Visa Card.

The basic card will cost you from about €40 a year, and the more up-market versions (Premier, Gold, and Platinum) from about €125 per year.

The CB card is now the standard European bank card and you can withdraw cash wherever the CB logo is displayed, or use it across the counter.

You are able to withdraw cash from ATMs anywhere in France where the CB logo is shown and no fee is payable, irrespective of whether or not it is an ATM from your own bank.

If you withdraw money from ATMs from outside the Euro zone you will face a currency exchange fee.

The cards are either 'immediate debit' or 'deferred debit', with some even being both on the same card, giving the option of choice to you as to how you use it. Some also operate as a credit card, depending on the arrangement you have made with the bank and the particular type of card.

There are limits on the amount of cash that can be withdrawn on any single occasion for all of these cards, which will depend on the type of card. A maximum sum of €300 over a period of 7 days, is not unusual for a standard card.

There are also limits on the total level of expenditure over a 7 day or 30 day period, depending on the type of card and arrangements with your bank.

All the cards in France operate on a smart card basis ('chip and pin'), through the use of a microchip embedded in the card, rather than a magnetic strip. This is now becoming standard across Europe, but France was the first country to adopt the system.

Accordingly, you will be given a PIN number with your card, which you will need to use every time you make a transaction. The card is entered into a payment terminal and you then enter your four digit code and press the validation key.

In the event of loss or theft of your CB card you can contact your bank or ring 0892 705 705 on a 24/7 basis. This emergency number is available on all cash dispensers.

Once you have reported the theft or loss, you cease to be liable for any expenditure that may subsequently be incurred on the card.

Neither are you responsible where there has been fraudulent use of the card prior to reporting the loss or theft, but the bank has the right to interrogate the transactions to ensure they have not been made by you.

However, where someone has used your PIN code or signature, then an excess of €150 operates. There is no excess where the PIN has not been used, e.g. internet purchases.