Three ways to make bank transfers in France despite Easter pause
Traditional payments are unavailable over four-day period
Some methods allow payments to be made in seconds
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Residents in France who need to make an urgent bank transfer this Easter should know there are three methods to do so, as typical transfers are unavailable for a four-day period over Easter.
Limits on bank transfers over the Easter period are widespread across Europe, but are confined to traditional payments between banks.
However, payments between two accounts at the same bank – such as current accounts held by two different people, or between a current and savings account held by the same person – are not impacted by the pause.
Payments made using ‘instant transfers’ regardless of the recipient’s bank are also exempt from the pause, with the money being processed in seconds.
In addition, the Wero payment system – in place in several major French and European banks and a rival to Apple Pay – can be used to circumvent the restriction and send money throughout Easter.
In this case however, both banks must be compatible with the system, and several French banks and online international banks are not yet set up for the system.
Easter break limits transfers
The usual system that processes bank transfers for SEPA countries – EU/EEA countries and the UK – closes for four days between Good Friday and Easter Monday, this year from April 18 to 21.
It means traditional bank transfers are not available on these dates, and any made during this time will not arrive until Tuesday (April 22) at the earliest.
Read more: Bank transfers in France will soon be paused for a few days
