Best Online Bank in France (2025): BoursoBank vs Fortuneo vs Monabanq

Struggling to choose between BoursoBank, Fortuneo, and Monabanq? You're not alone. France's online banks offer huge savings on fees compared to traditional players like BNP or Crédit Agricole, but picking the right one can be tough.

This 2025 guide, written by an American expat in France, breaks down everything you need to know. We'll cover:

• Fees & Free Premium Cards (Gold Mastercard, Visa Ultim, etc.)

• The #1 Best Option for U.S. Citizens (and why the others say no)

• Updated Welcome Bonuses to get you up to €190 for signing up.

Let's find the perfect French bank for you.

At a Glance: Key Differences

Here’s a quick summary of the top online banks to help you see the main differences instantly.

Fortuneo

• Best For: Overall value and free premium cards.

• Free Premium Card: Gold & World Elite Mastercard (with income conditions).

• Accepts Americans? No ❌

• Current Bonus: Up to €130

BoursoBank

• Best For: Visa card users and a top-rated mobile app.

• Free Premium Card: Visa Ultim (with monthly use).

• Accepts Americans? No ❌

• Current Bonus: Up to €190

Monabanq

• Best For: U.S. Citizens and those without income requirements.

• Premium Card: Visa Premier for a small fee (€3/mo).

• Accepts Americans? Yes ✅

• Current Bonus: €100 Cashback (via Rakuten)

Fee Comparison (2025): Are Online Banks Really Cheaper?

Yes, significantly. One of the biggest differences between online banks and traditional banks in France is the cost of credit cards and account maintenance. Traditional banks often charge a monthly fee for the account and an annual fee for even a basic credit card. Online banks eliminate most of these fees, offering powerful premium cards for free, provided you meet certain conditions (like minimum monthly use or income level).

Best French Bank for US Citizens & Americans (FATCA Guide)

Opening a bank account in France as a U.S. citizen can be frustrating due to strict FATCA regulations, which require foreign banks to report on American clients' assets to the IRS. For this reason, many banks simply refuse American customers to avoid the paperwork.

Here's the current breakdown for online banks:

• Fortuneo: ❌ Does not accept U.S. citizens or residents.

• BoursoBank: ❌ Also does not accept U.S. citizens or residents.

• Monabanq: ✅ The Clear Winner. Monabanq is one of the few French online banks that is accessible and welcoming to U.S. citizens, making it the default best choice if you hold an American passport.

Pro-Tip for New American Arrivals

For Americans just landing in France, the quickest path to getting set up is often a two-step process:

1. Start with Revolut: Open a Revolut account first. You can do this in minutes from your phone and quickly get a French IBAN (often called a RIB), which is essential for your salary, apartment rental, and phone plan.

2. Move to Monabanq: Once you are settled, you can open an account with Monabanq for a permanent, full-featured French bank.

This strategy gives you a working French bank account almost immediately while you complete the application for your long-term banking solution.

To learn more, see my detailed articles on using Revolut to get a French IBAN and send money with low fees and choosing the best Revolut plan for travelers and expats in France.

Best Welcome Bonuses & Referral Codes (Updated 2025)

Online banks compete for new customers with generous sign-up bonuses. Here are the latest offers.

Fortuneo – Up to €130 Bonus

Fortuneo is one of the top online banks in France, offering premium cards like Gold Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard for free (if you meet the income conditions).

👉 Use my referral code when you sign up to claim your bonus:
CODE PARRAIN: 12516129

🔗 Compare Fortuneo’s banking costs with traditional French banks here: Fortuneo Fee Simulator
🔗 Referral details: Fortuneo Referral Offer

BoursoBank – Up to €190 Bonus

BoursoBank (formerly Boursorama Banque) is another popular online bank. Their Visa Ultim card is free with monthly use, and they also offer a premium Metal Visa for €9.90/month.

👉 Open your account with my referral link to get the latest bonus:

Click on this link for the latest: BoursoBank Referral Offer

Monabanq – Rakuten Cashback Offer

Monabanq stands out because it accepts American customers. On top of that, you can earn €100 cashback via Rakuten when opening your account.

👉 Use my Rakuten referral link to get an extra €5 welcome bonus:
Get €100 Cashback + €5 Bonus via Rakuten

A bonus of €80 for any subscription to a Visa card account and after activating the card no later than 3 months following the account opening. This bonus will be paid on the 16th of the month following the activation of your Visa card.

A bonus of €80 for any subscription to the banking mobility assistance service when opening your first Monabanq account.

Verdict: Which Bank is Best for You?

• For non-Americans → Fortuneo is the best choice. Free premium cards (Gold, World Elite), competitive fees, and strong digital services make it ideal.

• For Visa fans → BoursoBank is a fantastic second option. If you prefer Visa over Mastercard, this is the online bank for you.

• For Americans → Monabanq is the clear winner. It’s accessible for U.S. citizens and offers a smart cashback deal through Rakuten.

My Experience as an American in France

I personally use Fortuneo, but I was lucky to sign up years ago before they changed their policy on American clients.

If I were moving to France today as an American, I would 100% choose Monabanq. The fact that they accept U.S. citizens, combined with the excellent €100 cashback offer via Rakuten, makes it a no-brainer.

For my non-American friends, I almost always recommend Fortuneo for its unbeatable free World Elite Mastercard.