What Are the Best Savings Accounts in France?
Updated on 29 July 2026
The best savings account in France depends on your profile: the LEP (France's income-tested regulated savings account) pays the highest rate if you are eligible, otherwise the Livret A and the LDDS remain the benchmark safe, tax-free regulated accounts. Bank savings accounts and interest-bearing current accounts aim for higher rates, but these are often temporary and taxable.
- Regulated savings accounts (Livret A, LDDS, LEP, Livret Jeune) are guaranteed by the French State, tax-free, but capped and set at a rate fixed by the public authorities.
- The LEP is reserved for low-income households and pays the highest rate among regulated savings accounts, up to a limit of €10,000.
- Boosted bank savings accounts and interest-bearing accounts advertise temporary promotional rates, subject to the 30% flat tax (PFU).
- Deposits are protected up to €100,000 per customer and per bank under the Fonds de Garantie des Dépôts et de Résolution.
- To go beyond these caps or aim for higher returns, life insurance, the PEA (a French tax-advantaged equity savings account) or the PER (France's retirement savings plan) take over, with a risk of capital loss.
What Is a Savings Account?
A savings account is a bank account designed to help you save money while earning interest. Many are regulated by the French State, which guarantees certain aspects such as the interest rate and taxation.
Savings Accounts: What Returns, and What Tax Impact?
Savings accounts offer a range of interest rates. The Livret A, for example, has a rate set by the government. There are also bonuses to encourage people to subscribe to certain accounts.
Both social security contributions and income tax vary depending on the type of account. Regulated accounts, such as the Livret A, are often tax-free. Other accounts, such as standard savings accounts, can be subject to higher taxation.
Savings Accounts: What Guarantee for Your Funds?
Funds deposited in regulated savings accounts are guaranteed by the Fonds de Garantie des Dépôts et de Résolution (FGDR), France's deposit guarantee fund, up to €100,000 per customer and per bank. This protects your savings up to that limit.
The Main Regulated Savings Accounts
Regulated savings accounts are particularly attractive in 2026, thanks to their appealing rates and financial security. Here are the main features of the leading regulated savings accounts in France this year.
The Livret d'Épargne Populaire (LEP)
The Livret d'Épargne Populaire (LEP) is designed for people on modest incomes.
- Who can open one? Anyone resident in France whose reference taxable income does not exceed a set threshold.
- Cap: The maximum deposit is €10,000.
- Interest rate: 2.5% net, unchanged as of 1st August 2026 (the highest among regulated savings accounts).
- Taxation: Interest is exempt from income tax and social security contributions (source: service-public.gouv.fr).
- Conditions: You must provide a tax notice to prove eligibility.
- How to close it? Simply request closure from your bank.
The Livret Jeune
The Livret Jeune is reserved for young people aged 12 to 25.
- Who can open one? Any young person aged 12 to 25 residing in France.
- Cap: The deposit limit is €1,600.
- Interest rate: Set freely by each bank, at least equal to the Livret A rate, i.e. at least 1.5% (raised to 1.7% on 1st August 2026).
- Taxation: Interest is fully exempt from tax.
- Conditions: Only one Livret Jeune can be held per person.
- How to close it? Automatically at age 25, or on request.
The Livret A
The Livret A is the favourite savings product among French savers, thanks to its flexibility and regulated rate.
- Who can open one? Anyone residing in France, with no age limit.
- Cap: The maximum deposit is set at €22,950 (service-public.gouv.fr).
- Interest rate: 1.5% net, raised to 1.7% on 1st August 2026 (rate set by the public authorities).
- Taxation: Interest is exempt from income tax and social security contributions.
- Conditions: Can be opened at any bank or financial institution.
- How to close it? At any time, with no extra fees.
The Livret de Développement Durable et Solidaire (LDDS)
The Livret de Développement Durable et Solidaire (LDDS) suits savers who want to combine saving with support for environmental and social projects.
- Who can open one? Any adult residing in France.
- Cap: The deposit limit is €12,000 (service-public.gouv.fr).
- Interest rate: Aligned with the Livret A, i.e. 1.5% net (1.7% from 1st August 2026).
- Taxation: Interest is exempt from tax and social security contributions.
- Conditions: Open to all adult French residents.
- How to close it? On simple request to your bank.
These accounts combine security, liquidity and an attractive return, which makes them well suited to precautionary savings.
The Main Boosted Savings Accounts on the Market
Boosted savings accounts in 2026 offer high promotional rates, with temporary elevated returns over set periods. Comparing products such as Super Livrets and high-rate savings accounts can help you choose the best options.
Super Livrets
These Super Livrets offer attractive rates with temporary promotions.
| Offer | Base rate | Boosted rate (promo) | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Livret Cashbee | 1.90% | 6.00% for 2 months | €10,000,000 |
| Livret Meilleurtaux | 2.00% | 5.50% for 2 months | €200,000 |
| Super Livret Placement-direct | 2.00% | 5.50% for 2 months | €200,000 |
| Livret Goodvest | 1.80% | 5.50% for 2 months | €200,000 |
| Livret Ramify+ | 2.05% | 5.35% for 2 months | €10,000,000 |
| Livret Swaive | 2.00% | 5.30% for 2 months | €200,000 |
| Livret + de Fortuneo | 1.60% | 5.00% for 3 months | Unlimited |
| Compte Rentabilis Monabanq | 1.60% | 3.00% for 6 months | €100,000 |
| Livret Bfor+ (BforBank) | 1.00% | 2.80% for 12 months | €4,000,000 |
| Livret Hello bank! | 0.50% | 2.30% | €50,000 |
Boosted promotional rates recorded in July 2026 (sources: FranceTransactions, Meilleurtaux Placement), usually reserved for new customers and subject to change.
Interest-Bearing Current Accounts
In 2026, interest-bearing current accounts offered by neobanks such as Bunq, N26, Trade Republic and Sumeria offer an appealing alternative to traditional savings accounts. These accounts combine the flexibility of a current account with an attractive return, of up to 3% gross annual rate.
These accounts offer several advantages:
- Daily interest calculation
- Frequent interest payments (weekly or monthly)
- For some, the ability to make payments directly
Security is provided by the European deposit guarantee scheme, which protects the funds deposited.
It is important to note that these accounts can come with specific conditions:
- A deposit cap (for example, €100,000 for bunq, €10,000 for Sumeria; Trade Republic does not cap the return on a French IBAN)
- A minimum number of monthly transactions (as with Sumeria, which requires 15 transactions per month)
- Different rates depending on the plan chosen (notably at N26, with rates from 0.25% to 1.50% depending on the plan, up to 2% for new customers)
These new offers reflect how the banking sector is evolving, as neobanks look to attract and retain customers with innovative, competitive products.
Apps like Finary let you track all your savings accounts and interest-bearing accounts in one place, regardless of the bank, alongside your other investments.
| Features | Advantages | Points to consider | |
|---|---|---|---|
| bunq - Easy Savings | An account with a €100,000 cap and a variable interest rate indexed to ECB rates (around 2%), plus a boosted rate for new deposits. Interest paid weekly. | Includes a payment account, offering flexibility for everyday transactions while earning an attractive return. | Relatively low interest rate compared to other options, offset by the weekly frequency of interest payments. |
| N26 - Compte Épargne Express | Interest rate of 0.25% (Standard/Smart), 0.55% (Go) to 1.50% (Metal), up to 2% for new customers. Interest paid monthly. | Return potential with a rate of up to 2% for new customers, offering flexibility in choosing a savings plan. | No associated payment account and no defined cap, which could limit certain everyday banking operations. |
| Trade Republic - Cash Account | Rate of 2.25% (accounts opened before 12/05/2026) or 3% (new customers from that date), with no cap on the return. Interest paid monthly. | High and stable interest rate, combined with a payment account, suited to mid-sized savings, subject to conditions. | Lower cap than other options, which could be limiting for savers with larger amounts to place. |
| Sumeria - Interest-bearing current account (offer subject to change) | €10,000 cap, rate of 1% (2% boosted rate) since 1st February 2026. Minimum of 15 transactions per month required. | Combines the advantages of a current account with a high savings rate, offering great flexibility for day-to-day money management. | The 15-monthly-transaction requirement calls for active account management to maximise the benefit. |
What Are the Alternatives to Savings Accounts?
Several alternatives exist to traditional savings accounts like the Livret A. Each offers specific advantages in terms of return, taxation and deposit conditions.
Compte Épargne Logement (CEL)
The Compte Épargne Logement (CEL) is open to everyone, with no age limit. It has a deposit cap of €15,300 and an interest rate of 1% gross, raised to 1.25% on 1st August 2026. Interest is subject to income tax and social security contributions. The main advantage is the possibility of obtaining a home loan at a preferential rate. The minimum balance to open a CEL is €300, and subsequent deposits must be at least €75. It can be closed at any time with no fees.
Plan Épargne Logement (PEL)
The Plan Épargne Logement (PEL) is designed to fund the purchase or renovation of a property. It has a high cap of €61,200, with a fixed interest rate for the life of the plan. The rate on PELs opened since 1st January 2026 is 2% gross. For a PEL opened since 2018, interest is subject from the first year to the 30% flat tax (12.8% income tax and 17.2% social security contributions). The PEL requires a minimum opening deposit of €225, then regular deposits of at least €540 per year. Closing it before 4 years results in the loss of the tax benefits.
Life Insurance (Assurance-Vie)
In France, life insurance is a flexible, profitable investment vehicle. It lets you invest in secure euro funds or equity-based unit-linked funds. There is no deposit cap, and contributions are free, with no minimum or maximum. The tax benefits become significant after 8 years, with reduced taxation on gains. Performance depends on your investment choices, with a variable return depending on the funds selected, and no guarantee. It can be closed via a partial or full withdrawal of the invested amounts, with tax benefits applied according to how long the contract has been held.
Plan d'Épargne en Actions (PEA)
The PEA lets you invest in European equities (with a risk of capital loss), with attractive taxation after 5 years. The contribution cap is set at €150,000. Returns depend on the shares selected, and the PEA is exposed to equity markets and carries a risk of capital loss. Gains are exempt from income tax after 5 years, though still subject to social security contributions. It requires some stock-market knowledge to maximise gains, and it can be closed at any time, with tax benefits applying according to how long it has been held.
Plan d'Épargne Avenir Climat (PEAC)
The Plan d'Épargne Avenir Climat (PEAC) is a new savings product launched on 1st July 2024, reserved for people under 21 residing in France. It aims to fund the ecological transition while offering an attractive savings option.
Main features:
- Contribution cap: €22,950
- Term: Automatically closes at age 30
- Investment: ISR-labelled or France Finance Verte-labelled shares and bonds
- Capital not guaranteed, subject to market fluctuations
How it works:
- Free contributions
- Funds locked until age 18 (minimum 5 years)
- Managed-portfolio service by default, with a self-directed management option
- Partial withdrawals possible after the lock-up period
Tax benefits:
- Exemption from income tax and social security contributions on gains
The PEAC combines financial education, encouragement to save for young people and funding for environmental projects, offering an innovative savings solution for the new generation.
Plan d'Épargne Retraite (PER)
The PER lets you build up retirement savings with, under certain conditions, tax-deductible contributions; funds are locked until retirement except in cases of early release. Contributions are deductible from income tax up to certain caps. There is no overall deposit cap, but there are caps on the tax deduction. The PER can be funded through regular or one-off contributions. Funds are locked until retirement except in exceptional situations such as buying a primary residence. Interest is subject to social security contributions and taxation upon payout as an annuity or lump sum. Early closure is possible under certain strict conditions.
Goals
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Savings Account Pays the Most?
Among regulated savings accounts, the LEP offers the highest rate, but it is reserved for people whose reference taxable income does not exceed a cap. Failing that, the Livret A and the LDDS pay the same rate, set by the public authorities.
Can You Hold Several Savings Accounts at Once?
Yes. The same person can hold a Livret A, an LDDS, a LEP and a Livret Jeune at the same time, each limited to one per person. Unregulated bank savings accounts can be combined without limit, within the caps set by each bank.
Is Interest on Bank Savings Accounts Taxable?
Yes. Unlike tax-free regulated savings accounts, interest on bank savings accounts and interest-bearing accounts is subject to the 30% flat tax (12.8% income tax and 17.2% social security contributions), unless you opt for the progressive income tax scale.
What Happens When a Regulated Savings Account Reaches Its Cap?
Once the contribution cap is reached, you can no longer add funds to the account, but interest keeps accruing and can push the balance above that cap. To save more, you need to open another account or turn to life insurance or another financial investment.
Are Savings Accounts Guaranteed If a Bank Fails?
Yes. Deposits are covered by the Fonds de Garantie des Dépôts et de Résolution up to €100,000 per customer and per bank. Regulated savings accounts also benefit from the French State's guarantee.
Sources
Service-public.gouv.fr, Livret A: rate, cap and how it works
Service-public.gouv.fr, Livret de Développement Durable et Solidaire (LDDS)
Service-public.gouv.fr, Livret d'Épargne Populaire (LEP)
Service-public.gouv.fr, Plan d'Épargne Logement (PEL): rate and taxation
N26, Interest-bearing account: rates and conditions
MoneyVox, Trade Republic interest-bearing account: rates and conditions
Service-public.gouv.fr, Indices and rates: Livret A, LDDS, LEP and CEL as of 1st August 2026
FranceTransactions, Comparison of the best bank Super Livrets in July 2026
Regulatory disclaimers: Marketing communication. Investing carries a risk of partial or total capital loss. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This article is provided for information and educational purposes only; it does not constitute personalised investment advice, a buy or sell recommendation, or tax advice. Before investing, read the Key Information Document (KID) and, where relevant, consult an authorised adviser. Finary SAS, an investment firm authorised by the ACPR (no. 19283), member of AMAFI. Insurance broker registered with ORIAS (no. 21001279), member of the CNCGP (association approved by the AMF). Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorised by the AMF under the MiCA regime, references no. A2026-026 and no. N2026-008.
