A transfer occurs when money is moved from one bank account to another. It's important to know that the upper transfer limit varies depending on the transfer type and bank. So what is the maximum amount for a transfer to Caisse d'Épargne or the upper limit for a transfer to Crédit Agricole? Read on to learn about the upper transfer limits for France's main banks.

What's in this article?

• What are the types of bank transfers?
  
• How is the upper limit for a transfer determined?
  
• What is the maximum amount for a bank transfer?
  
• What happens when the transfer amount exceeds the authorised upper limit?
  

What are the types of bank transfers?

To understand the rules limiting the monetary amount for bank transfers, you must be familiar with the types of transfers, namely internal transfers, Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) transfers, international transfers and SEPA instant transfers.

With an internal transfer, you send money between two accounts for which you are the account holder. There is no upper limit on this transfer type and transfers are executed instantly.

External transfers include SEPA transfers – made in euros in countries within the SEPA zone – and international transfers beyond SEPA, also known as Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) transactions and made in another currency. Execution of this transfer type takes a certain amount of time, and the transfer of funds may take one to three working days after your transaction is initiated. You may incur fees for external transfers.

SEPA instant transfers, also referred to as instant payments, avoid interbank delays and perform transactions in real time, 24 hours a day. Typically, SEPA instant transfers have an upper limit of 15,000 euros imposed by the European Central Bank (ECB), although your bank may apply a lower upper limit. Note there is usually a charge for this accelerated process. The terms and conditions for your account will show the relevant rates.

How is the upper limit for a transfer determined?

There is no uniform regulatory approach to upper transfer limits. Each bank can set upper transfer limits independently of the SEPA limit. Be sure to know your bank's policy on upper transfer limits because your transaction may be invalidated if these are exceeded. You can also refer to the terms and conditions for your account to check your upper transfer limit.

In some cases, you can negotiate your upper transfer limit based on your business needs. Submit a request for an increase to your branch, make a request online, or contact your adviser at your bank to negotiate your upper transfer limit.

What is the maximum amount for a bank transfer?

Crédit Agricole allows customers to transfer a maximum of 3,000 euros per bank transfer. Crédit Lyonnais (LCL), a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole, applies an upper limit of 2,000 euros over three days to its bank transfers. Authorised countries include Spain, France and Monaco.

Crédit Mutuel authorises up to 10,000 euros for SEPA transfers, 15,000 euros per day for an instant transfer and 3,500 euros for an international transfer (to 52 countries).

Standard transfers at La Banque Postale are subject to a maximum upper limit of 4,000 euros per day and 1,000 euros per day for instant transfers.

Banque Populaire, part of Groupe BPCE, authorises a maximum transfer of 15,000 euros per day and applies a monthly limit of 50,000 euros. Caisse d'Épargne, part of the same group, has an upper transfer limit of 5,000 euros and maximum amounts of 10,000 euros per day, 20,000 euros per week and 25,000 euros per month.

BNP Paribas applies an upper limit of 5,000 euros per day to instant transfers (625 euros for minors). There is no limit on internal BNP Paribas transfers (i.e. between your accounts). Those made to other recipients; however, are limited by default to 25,000 euros per day when using the application, although the website allows customers to adjust this amount to up to 300,000 euros per day. International transfers can be made only via its website, and these have a maximum upper limit of 50,000 euros per transfer.

Lastly, Société Générale has an upper limit of 4,000 euros per day and 1,000 euros for subscribers with an account offering basic banking services. At Société Générale, external transfers may not exceed 15,000 euros in total, while internal transfers are limited to 50,000 euros. Its Boursorama subsidiary has no maximum amount except for instant transfers, which are limited to 2,000 euros per day.

Note that these upper limits are subject to change.

What happens when the transfer amount exceeds the authorised upper limit?

If the upper limit is exceeded and a transfer is rejected, you must repeat the transfer at an amount below the upper limit imposed by your bank. Otherwise, the bank may cancel your transfer and charge you fees.