New rules set a limit on the amounts French banks can charge for closing the account of a deceased loved one.

A decree published in the Journal Officiel earlier this month has set a ceiling on fees a bank can charge for the administration of closing a deceased person’s account from November 13th, 2025.

Following the death of a customer, banks have to carry out various procedures: among other things, an inventory of funds, the establishment of exchanges with the notary and the transfer of money to heirs.

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These operations are generally charged by banks under the name frais bancaires de succession (inheritance bank charges). Currently, these fees are set by each banking institution and sums involved vary from one bank to another.

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But, from November 13th, fees will be capped at one percent of the total amount of combined account balances and a valuation of any savings products – up to an absolute maximum of €850.

This limit will be revalued on January 1st every year, based on average inflation calculated by France’s statistics body Insee.

In the following cases, bank fees for this process will be eliminated completely:

  • when the accounts and savings products in question were held by a minor;

  • when the total balance of the deceased’s accounts and savings products is less than €5,910 (this amount will be revised every year);

  • when heirs present to the bank a deed of notoriety, and operations linked to the succession do not demonstrate any obvious complexity.

According to the decree, ‘complex’ inheritance cases apply, for example, when the deceased had a mortgage that was being repaid, had no designated heirs, had professional accounts, or had taken out security on savings products.

Closing bank accounts is just one of the many admin tasks that follow the death of a spouse, partner or family member.

We have a guide to the varios administrative aspects of dealing with a death in France: How to register a death and arrange a funeral in France