The goal is clear: to increase transparency and reduce fraud in certain high-value transactions. For French citizens, the impact will remain limited, as France already applies strict regulations regarding cash payments.
Payments, Limits, and Mandatory Written Documentation: The Rules You Need to Know
In practice, the law primarily regulates the use of cash, not its storage. Here are the important thresholds to keep in mind, in logical order:
The maximum cash payment amount for professionals in France is €1,000. For payments of €1,500 or more between individuals, it is strongly recommended to enter into a written agreement to retain proof of the transaction.
The maximum cash payment amount in the European Union is €10,000 from 2027.
In other words, you can keep more cash at home, but you won’t always be able to use it freely.
Why Keeping Cash at Home Still Provides Such a Sense of Security
Despite the widespread use of bank cards and digital payments, cash still holds a special place. The European Central Bank calls it a “contingency plan” in a highly digital, but not foolproof, system.
Therefore, it recommends having between €70 and €100 per person, enough to cover basic needs for about three days. A computer crash, a bank outage, or a technical issue can happen, and that money becomes very valuable. It’s a bit like having a flashlight in a drawer: you hope you’ll never need it, but it’s comforting to have it handy.
