Best Savings Accounts for International Students in France
Best Savings Accounts for International Students in France
A French savings account can help international students build an emergency fund, save for tuition, or keep rent money separate from everyday spending.
France offers two main categories of savings accounts:
- Regulated savings accounts, such as Livret A and Livret Jeune, with rates set or controlled by the government and tax-free interest.
- Bank savings accounts, such as Revolut Savings and N26 Instant Savings, with variable gross rates that are generally taxable.
This guide compares the best savings accounts for international students in France in 2026, including their interest rates, eligibility rules, balance limits, and tax treatment.
Last updated: August 2, 2026.
Best Savings Accounts for International Students in France
The strongest options are:
- Livret A: Best overall savings account
- Livret Jeune: Best for students aged 18–25
- LEP: Best interest rate for eligible low-income students
- Revolut Savings: Best flexible digital account
- N26 Instant Savings: Best for existing N26 customers
- LDDS: Best additional tax-free account after Livret A
1. Livret A: Best Overall Savings Account
Livret A is the most practical savings account for many international students in France.
As of August 1, 2026, Livret A pays an annual interest rate of 1.7%. The interest is exempt from French income tax and social-security contributions.
Its main features include:
- Maximum deposits of €22,950
- No monthly account fee
- Free deposits and withdrawals
- Money available when needed
- No nationality requirement
- No French tax-residency requirement
- Only one Livret A permitted per person
Service-Public states that any individual can hold a Livret A regardless of age, nationality, or French tax residence. The account can be opened through traditional banks and many online banks.
Students normally need to open or hold a current account with the chosen bank and complete its identity-verification requirements.
Best for: Most international students seeking safe, flexible, and tax-free savings.
2. Livret Jeune: Best for Students Aged 18–25
Livret Jeune is designed specifically for young people who live in France.
To qualify, you must:
- Be between 12 and 25 years old
- Usually reside in France
- Not already hold another Livret Jeune
Each bank sets its own interest rate, but the rate cannot be lower than the Livret A rate. Therefore, from August 1, 2026, a Livret Jeune must pay at least 1.7%, although some banks may offer more.
Other features include:
- Maximum deposits of €1,600
- Minimum opening deposit commonly around €10
- Tax-free interest
- Withdrawals available when needed
- Ability to hold Livret Jeune and Livret A simultaneously
Because the balance limit is low, students may use Livret Jeune first when their bank offers a competitive rate and keep additional savings in Livret A.
The account must generally be closed no later than December 31 of the year in which the holder turns 25.
Best for: International students aged 18–25 who live in France and find a bank offering a Livret Jeune rate above 1.7%.
3. LEP: Best Rate for Eligible Low-Income Students
The Livret d’Épargne Populaire, or LEP, offers the highest government-regulated savings rate in this comparison.
From August 1, 2026, the LEP rate remains 2.5%. Interest is exempt from income tax and social contributions.
The account provides:
- Maximum deposits of €10,000
- Flexible deposits and withdrawals
- No risk of losing the deposited capital
- Tax-free interest
- Minimum initial payment of €30
However, eligibility is more restrictive. Applicants must:
- Belong to a tax household resident in France
- Meet the applicable income limits
- Provide or allow verification of French tax information
New international students may not qualify immediately because they often do not yet have a French tax assessment showing their reference taxable income.
Students who have lived and filed taxes in France should ask their bank to verify eligibility.
Best for: Students who are French tax residents, meet the income limit, and have the required tax records.
4. Revolut Savings: Best Flexible Digital Account
Revolut offers an instant-access savings account for eligible customers in France.
Current euro rates depend on the customer’s subscription plan:
- Standard and Plus: 2.25% on the first €500 and 0.75% above €500
- Premium: 2.25% on the first €1,000 and 1.00% above €1,000
- Metal: 2.25%
- Ultra: 2.50% up to €100,000 and 2.00% above that amount
These are variable gross annual rates and may change. Interest is calculated and paid daily.
The account also offers:
- No minimum deposit
- No withdrawal fee
- Instant transfers between Revolut current and savings accounts
- Interest on eligible balances
- Account management through the Revolut app
Eligible deposits are covered up to €100,000 across Revolut Bank UAB accounts under Lithuania’s deposit-insurance scheme.
Unlike Livret A, the interest is taxable. Revolut deducts applicable French income tax and social contributions before crediting the net interest.
For a student using the free Standard plan, the attractive 2.25% rate applies only to the first €500. Larger balances receive the lower 0.75% rate.
Best for: Students who want daily interest and instant access to a small emergency fund.
5. N26 Instant Savings: Best for N26 Customers
N26 Instant Savings, known in France as Épargne Express, is available to eligible customers who have:
- A personal N26 account
- A French N26 IBAN beginning with FR
- A valid legal address in France
- The latest version of the N26 app
Current gross annual rates are:
- N26 Standard and Smart: 0.25%
- N26 Go: 0.55%
- N26 Metal: 1.50%
Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly. There is no minimum deposit, maximum interest-bearing balance, or withdrawal penalty.
N26 automatically deducts the applicable French tax from savings interest. Its current guidance lists withholding at 31.4%. Deposits across eligible N26 accounts are protected up to €100,000 under the applicable deposit-protection system.
The free Standard plan’s 0.25% rate is significantly lower than Livret A. Paying for Metal solely to obtain the 1.50% savings rate is unlikely to make financial sense for most students.
Best for: Existing N26 users who value convenience more than the highest available return.
6. LDDS: Best Additional Tax-Free Account
The Livret de Développement Durable et Solidaire, or LDDS, pays the same rate as Livret A.
From August 1, 2026, its rate is 1.7%, with a maximum deposit limit of €12,000. Interest is exempt from income tax and social contributions.
Unlike Livret A, applicants must generally be adults whose tax domicile is in France.
The LDDS is most useful after you already hold a Livret A or when you want to separate savings for different purposes.
Best for: Students who are French tax residents and want additional tax-free savings capacity.
Documents International Students May Need
Banks may request:
- Valid passport or national identity card
- French visa or residence permit
- Proof of a French address
- French tax identification number, when available
- Foreign tax identification number
- Existing French current account
- Proof of income, scholarship, or source of savings
- University enrolment confirmation
Opening a savings account does not usually require a French credit history because you are depositing your own money rather than borrowing.
Which Savings Account Is Best?
Livret A is the best overall option because it offers tax-free interest, flexible access, and no nationality or tax-residency restriction.
Students aged 25 or younger should compare Livret Jeune rates, as some banks may offer more than Livret A.
The LEP provides the highest regulated rate, but most newly arrived students will not yet have the French tax history required to qualify.
Revolut Savings is useful for small balances, particularly the first €500 on the Standard plan. N26 Instant Savings is convenient but currently offers a much lower rate to free-account customers.
Remember that gross taxable rates cannot be compared directly with tax-free regulated savings rates.
