The auto-entrepreneur (officially micro-entrepreneur) status is France's simplified way of working for yourself: a sole proprietorship with flat-rate tax and social contributions. Choosing a bank for it is not just about comparing subscriptions. The account has to fit your real activity: card payments, international transfers, cheques or cash, invoicing, expense tracking and any future need for credit.
Who this is for
These offers are for people running a French business, with a French business ID (Siret). Most also expect you to live in France. Prices are in euros and shown excl. VAT (“HT” on French sites). The sources linked below are mostly in French.
01What the law says
According to the official Service-Public page (the French government's information portal)1, a micro-entrepreneur must have an account dedicated to the business in two cases:
- if the activity is commercial (for example buying and reselling goods): the account is mandatory from the start, with no threshold;
- in other cases: as soon as turnover exceeds €10,000 in two consecutive calendar years.
The account can be a business account, or a personal account that is separate from the one you use for private spending. It must carry the words “entrepreneur individuel” or “EI” (French for sole proprietor). Ask your bank how it displays this: I could not check it for every offer in this article.
For beginners
“Dedicated account” does not mean a product sold as a “business account”. A business account adds extras (business card, invoicing, accounting export, sub-accounts), but it is a convenience, not a legal requirement. The official page even notes that a business account generally costs more than a dedicated personal one.
Not sure whether your activity counts as “commercial” (resale, catering, accommodation…)? Read the Service-Public page or ask the French one-stop business portal (guichet unique) or your accountant before assuming the €10,000 threshold applies to you.
Bank vs payment institution: what's the difference?
A bank is a credit institution: it can lend, and your deposits are covered by the FGDR up to €100,000 per customer and per institution18. That is the case for BoursoBank and Hello bank!.
A payment or e-money institution provides a payment account but does not use your money to lend. Your funds are “safeguarded” (held apart from the company's own money), but this is not the same as a deposit guarantee. Shine is a payment institution (REGAFI no. 71758)3. The Propulse by CA account is opened with Okali, a Crédit Agricole subsidiary and e-money institution (REGAFI 17448)5. Qonto is still a payment institution; its banking-licence application was still pending at the time of checking13.
Revolut is a special case. Revolut Bank UAB, which holds Business accounts, is a bank licensed by the Bank of Lithuania10. Revolut announced a French banking licence on 10 August 202611: check which entity holds your account when you sign up. In every case, look the provider up in the ACPR register (REGAFI), the French financial regulator's directory18.
02The criteria that matter
- Total cost. The subscription, but also per-transaction fees, withdrawals, currency exchange and card-acceptance fees.
- Transaction volume. Most offers include a quota. At Shine, a “movement” is a SEPA transfer or direct debit, incoming or outgoing: transfers you receive from clients count too4.
- Your clients. France and euros, or abroad and foreign currencies? Exchange and international transfers are not priced the same everywhere.
- Cheques and cash. Neobanks handle them poorly or with fees (Shine charges 3% on a cash deposit on the Start plan3). A bank with branches remains better suited.
- Invoicing. Since 1 September 2026, all French businesses must be able to receive electronic invoices; issuing them becomes mandatory for micro-businesses on 1 September 20272. Shine says it is an approved platform, included free in its plans3.
- Financing. If you may one day want a business loan, a traditional bank is better placed than a neobank.
03Quick comparison
Prices excl. VAT, on annual billing when the offer has it. Checked on 12 October 2026: always confirm the current price list before signing up.
| Offer | Entry price | Profile | Strength | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bourso Business | €0 with ≥ 1 card payment/month, otherwise €915 | Simple euro activity | A bank (FGDR), near-zero cost | Personal BoursoBank account first12; sole proprietors and single-member companies |
| Shine | Free €0 (3 movements/month) · Start €9 (€11 monthly billing)3 | Freelancer | Invoicing, approved e-invoicing platform included | Start: 30 movements/month; cash at 3% |
| Qonto | Basic €9 (annual)16 | Structured management | Accounting integrations | No cash deposits; 30 SEPA transfers on Basic |
| Propulse by CA | Start €8 · Start+ €175 | Self-employed | Visa Business card, 100 transfers/month included | Card payments capped at €20,000/month on Start |
| Hello bank! Pro | €10.90 (€11.50 incl. VAT)14 | Traditional bank | Cash and cheques accepted in the BNP network | Fixed price, no free plan |
| Revolut Pro | €0; card acceptance from 1% + €0.206 | Freelancer, side activity | Quick sign-up, separate IBAN and card | Fee on every payment received; only for those not listed in the trade register |
| Revolut Business | Basic €10 · Grow €35 · Scale €125 per month8 | International | Multi-currency, interbank exchange | Quotas and out-of-plan fees |
04The offers in detail
Bourso Business: keep fees to a minimum
BoursoBank's offer (Société Générale group), for sole proprietors and single-member companies such as the EURL and SASU. You first open a personal BoursoBank account, then add the business space12.
Pros The upsides
- Free under a condition: according to comparison sites, €0 with at least one card payment per month15.
- Transfers: unlimited SEPA transfers according to comparison sites.
- A bank: deposits covered by the FGDR.
Cons The downsides
- Usage condition: with no card payment in the month, €9 is charged.
- Prerequisite: you must be, or become, a personal BoursoBank customer.
- Limits: no credit or overdraft, little support; check the price list for cash and cheque deposits.
Best if you have few complex transactions and want the lowest cost.
Shine: keep the admin simple
A business account for freelancers, with a dashboard, invoicing and admin tracking. Plans: Free (€0), Start (€9 excl. VAT per month billed annually, €11 monthly), Plus (€20 annual) and Business (from €45)3. Quotas and conditions changed on 5 October 20264: re-read the current price list before choosing.
Pros The upsides
- Interface: designed for freelancers.
- Invoicing: built-in tools and an approved e-invoicing platform.
- Deposits: cash and cheques possible, for a fee.
Cons The downsides
- Quotas: 3 movements included on Free, 30 on Start, incoming ones included.
- Cash: 3% of the amount deposited on Start.
- Insurance: mainly highlighted from the Plus plan upward.
Best if you want invoices and admin tracking in one place.
Qonto: structured professional management
Three plans for the self-employed: Basic €9, Smart €19 and Premium €39 excl. VAT per month on annual billing (roughly 20% more when billed monthly). Basic includes 30 SEPA transfers per month16.
Pros The upsides
- Cards: configurable spending controls.
- Accounting: many accounting integrations.
- Invoicing: built-in tool.
Cons The downsides
- Subscription: no free plan.
- Cash: no deposits.
- Cost: rises with quotas and extra users.
Best if you want a complete management tool and invoice regularly.
Propulse by CA: Crédit Agricole's digital offer
Start at €8 excl. VAT per month, Start+ at €17. Visa Business card, quotes and invoices, URSSAF filing from the app (URSSAF is the body that collects micro-entrepreneurs' social contributions), and up to 100 transfers per month included. The account is held by Okali, an e-money institution within the Crédit Agricole group5.
Pros The upsides
- Price: under €10 excl. VAT per month.
- Equipment: Visa Business card, insurance included according to the official page.
- Brand: backed by a large banking group.
Cons The downsides
- Caps: card payments limited to €20,000 per month on Start (€40,000 on Start+).
- Support: by e-mail on Start; not a substitute for a branch.
- Status: e-money, not a deposit-taking bank.
Best if you want an online solution tied to a large group, on a small budget.
Hello bank! Pro: traditional banking services
A single offer, Hello Business, at €10.90 excl. VAT per month. The price including VAT is €11.50, because only €3 of the subscription is subject to VAT14. The bank is BNP Paribas; three free months have been announced until 31 December 2026.
Pros The upsides
- A bank: credit institution, FGDR applies.
- Deposits: cash and cheques can be deposited free in the BNP network, according to comparison sites.
- Credit: a business loan can be considered.
Cons The downsides
- Price: more expensive than free offers, with no entry-level plan.
- Conditions: French residence; sole proprietor or micro-entrepreneur.
- Details: overdraft, chequebook and ancillary fees to be confirmed in the price brochure.
Best if you deposit cheques or cash, or may need financing.
05Revolut Pro or Revolut Business?
Revolut offers two separate products, often confused.
Revolut Pro is a simplified business account inside the personal Revolut app: its own IBAN and card, no subscription, and cashback of up to 1% that depends on your personal plan6. Revolut states you can use it if you are not registered in the French trade and companies register (RCS).
Revolut Business is aimed at companies and some registered self-employed people. Its official list of accepted legal forms in France includes “auto-entrepreneur / liberal profession” and “sole proprietorship”9. Revolut decides at sign-up, depending on how you are registered.
| Criterion | Revolut Pro | Revolut Business |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Freelancers and activities not listed in the RCS | Companies and registered self-employed people, including auto-entrepreneurs and sole proprietors |
| Pricing | €0 subscription; card acceptance from 1% + €0.206 | Basic €10, Grow €35, Scale €125 per month (monthly subscriptions); Enterprise on quote8 |
| Accepting payments | From 1% + €0.20 (Revolut Pay, domestic personal cards) to 2.8% + €0.20 depending on the card7 | Same acceptance rates, plus payment links and card reader |
| Currencies | Everyday needs | Multi-currency; interbank exchange is capped (about €1,000 per month on Basic17) |
| Management | Inside the personal app | Business workspace, users, cards |
| Verdict | Small online activity | Main activity or clients abroad |
Watch the fees and the dedicated-account rule
On Revolut Pro, opening is free but every client payment you receive is charged. On Revolut Business, transfers beyond the quota (about 10 local transfers on Basic according to Milesopedia17) and cash withdrawals (2%) cost extra. Run a simulation with your real volume.
Revolut Pro gives you an IBAN and a card separate from your personal account, which points towards a distinct account. Neither Revolut nor Service-Public says explicitly that it meets the dedicated-account obligation: I found no source that settles it, so ask your accountant to confirm.
Going further
Revolut Business offers local IBANs and multi-currency accounts: useful if your clients pay in pounds or dollars. Check which entity holds your account (Revolut Bank UAB, French transition announced) and the exchange cap included in your plan.
06Which account for which profile
| Your situation | Options to look at |
|---|---|
| Just starting, few invoices, in euros | Personal dedicated account, Bourso Business, Propulse by CA |
| Invoicing often, want everything in one place | Qonto, Shine Start |
| Clients abroad | Revolut Business, if Revolut accepts your status |
| Side activity, testing with no subscription | Revolut Pro, if you are not registered in the RCS |
| Cheques, cash or a planned loan | Hello bank! Pro, or a bank with branches |
07Set up the business, then open the account
- Define the activityType of activity (commercial or not), start date, chosen tax and social regime.
- File the formalitiesOn the one-stop portal, formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr: identity, tax options, supporting documents, signature and follow-up of the file.
- Get your SiretThis 14-digit business ID is issued after registration; you need it to invoice and to open the account.
- Prepare the bank fileID document, proof of address, Siret or registration certificate, description of the activity, an estimate of your flows, tax information.
- Open and configurePass the KYC checks, make sure the “EI” wording appears on the account, activate payment acceptance and set up the accounting export.
08Checklist before you sign up
- Obligation. Is my activity commercial? Then the dedicated account is mandatory from the start.
- Quota. Does my monthly transaction volume, incoming transfers included, fit within what is included?
- Cash and cheques. Do I need to deposit any, and at what cost?
- Accepting payments. What fees apply to card payments or payment links?
- Displayed price. Excl. or incl. VAT? Annual or monthly?
- Eligibility. Status, registration, must I already be a customer?
- Safeguarding. Who holds my money and what guarantee applies?
- “EI” wording. Does it appear on my account?
09So, which one?
To pay as little as possible
A personal dedicated account, or Bourso Business if you pay by card every month. Shine Free and Revolut Pro also have a €0 subscription, but with a very low quota or a fee on every payment received.
To manage invoicing
Qonto or Shine, depending on your transaction volume and the tool you prefer.
For cheques, cash or credit
Hello bank! Pro, backed by a branch network.
For foreign clients or currency flows
Revolut Business, if Revolut accepts your status and the quotas and out-of-plan fees stay compatible with your real volume.
10Method and limits
The prices and conditions for Shine, Propulse by CA and Revolut were taken on 12 October 2026 from their official pages. The dedicated-account rule comes from the Service-Public page and the e-invoicing calendar from economie.gouv.fr. For Bourso Business, Qonto and Hello bank! I could not read the official price list: their prices are cross-checked across several comparison sites, which sometimes earn an affiliate commission.
Points left unresolved: the exact Bourso Business price list (€0 or €9), Hello bank!'s ancillary details (overdraft, chequebook), Revolut Business Basic quotas (taken from a comparison site), whether Revolut Pro counts as a dedicated account, and how each bank displays the “EI” wording.
Discover Revolut
Revolut combines an account, cards, multi-currency payments and tools for the self-employed in a single app. Sign-up is online and takes a few minutes. Revolut Pro is then set up inside the app; Revolut Business asks for an ID document, a Siret and proof of registration.
Open a Revolut account →Transparency: this button is a referral link, and the only one in this article. If you open an account through it, the author may receive a benefit, at no extra cost to you. Every other link is a plain link.
This article is for information only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. It describes French rules and offers. Prices, quotas and conditions change: check them on each provider's site before signing up.
Sources
Most sources are in French. Accessed on 12 October 2026.
Official
- Service-Public — Micro-entrepreneur bank account
- economie.gouv.fr — Everything about electronic invoicing
- Shine — pricing
- Shine — plan changes on 5 October 2026
- Propulse by CA — cards and plans
- Revolut — Revolut Pro and en-FR version
- Revolut — payment acceptance pricing
- Revolut — Business plans (France)
- Revolut — legal forms accepted for a Business account
- Revolut — Business page (Swiss version, mentions Revolut Bank UAB)
- Revolut — French banking licence (August 2026)
- BoursoBank — business offer
- Qonto — credit institution or payment institution and Wikipedia — Qonto (licence application)
Comparison sites and analyses, for cross-checking
- Hello bank! Pro: Guide de la Banque, Independant.io, Meilleurtaux
- Bourso Business: Selectra, Les Outils Pro
- Qonto: La Compta Futée, Le Bon Investisseur
- Revolut Business: Milesopedia, Finom
Bodies
- FGDR and REGAFI (ACPR)