Payment Methods in France 2025: A Guide for Online Merchants

Bonjour! Diving into the vibrant French market with your online business or launching a fresh e-commerce adventure here is thrilling, but it starts with learning about the common payment methods in France. This market reflects a sophisticated digital economy with high consumer expectations for security, convenience, and a love for cutting-edge digital flair.

France's e-commerce market is a bustling hub of activity, with around 41.8 million people in France are clicking and buying everything from fashion to electronics on the internet. (source: Mordor Intelligence). The France Payments Market size is estimated at USD 234.91 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 413.63 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 11.98%. This part of the retail world is not just alive, it's flourishing and expanding, showing no signs of slowing down.

For merchants considering how to accept payments in France, understanding local preferences it's essential for success. This guide breaks down the most popular payment methods in France, offering insights into what drives consumer preferences. We'll help you choose the best payment method for your business. We'll also highlight open banking as a standout solution and show you how Noda can set you up for success in the French market. Let's dive in!

France's Digital Payment Landscape: What Merchants Need to Know

From high-end fashion houses to global beauty brands, France is a combination of culture and commerce. The rise of online shopping has slowly changed how people pay for things, and with that comes a ton of digital transactions.

In France, people are gradually moving away from using cash. On average, a French person starts their day with about €50 in their wallet, according to a 2024 study by the European Central Bank. This makes France one of the most cashless countries in the eurozone, with only Finland (€47) and the Netherlands (€35) having less cash on hand.

People are drifting away from using old-fashioned ways and are looking for newer, easier payment options in France. Digital wallets and online payment platforms are becoming the go-to choice for many, as they offer a super convenient and secure way to shop online. Plus, services that let you "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) are gaining ground, especially with the younger crowd who love the flexibility.

Driven by PSD2 and national initiatives, French banks are becoming open to third-party providers in enabling them for faster, more convenient, and personalised payments. While adoption was rather slow and cautious, strong regulatory support and growing demand for digital solutions are driving change. This change has made it simple for people to access a wider range of payment options and for businesses to offer more flexible and efficient payment solutions.

These insights highlight a clear trend: French merchants are leaning heavily toward flexibility and digital-first solutions. As France payment methods continue to evolve in 2025 and beyond, understanding what matters most to businesses—speed, variety, and value—will be key for anyone looking to succeed in the French payments market.

Top Payment Methods Available in France: The Complete Breakdown

Debit and Credit Cards

French consumers show distinct preference when it comes to online shopping. The use of cards (both credit and debit cards) stands out as a predominant payment method, at around 46%, according to Statista.

France has a unique card landscape dominated by CB (Cartes Bancaires), which overwhelmingly leads the market for card payments in France. CB collaborates with Mastercard and Visa in issuing customisable credit and debit cards that can be used to make traditional and ecommerce purchases. Its market share was around 79%, followed by Mastercard and Visa, both at 9%, 9% respectively. Which is why it is essential to accept CB as a French business. CB cards are easily accepted at major establishments like retailers, restaurants, hotels, and ATMs, making them a convenient choice for diverse financial transactions.

Overall, debit cards are slightly more popular in use than credit cards. People also use deferred debit cards, meaning the bank makes one monthly withdrawal to cover all transactions during that period. Overall, there are 115.62 million payment cards in circulation, averaging 1.69 cards per capita.

What Merchants Need to Know:

• Pros: Highest market penetration, trusted by consumers, established infrastructure, CB compatibility essential for French market.
• Cons: High transaction fees (typically 1.5-3.5%), chargeback risks, declining market share projected.
• Key Players: CB (Cartes Bancaires) is essential, with Visa and Mastercard co-branding dominating, American Express and others having limited acceptance.

Digital Wallets

34% of French consumers use digital wallets for online shopping, making it second in the list of top payment methods in France, because people are using less cash than the European average, preferring wallets and cards for reasons of security and convenience. Global names such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Lydia dominate the digital wallets scene.

A major development has been the European Payments Initiative (EPI) launching Wero digital wallet in France in September 2024. This supports P2P fund transfers within a few seconds using phone numbers, QR codes, or email addresses. This is Europe's answer to American and Chinese digital wallet dominance that leverages the benefits of open banking. Traditional digital wallets usually rely on card networks, but Wero is built on open banking technology, enabling instant account-to-account payments.

What Merchants Need to Know:

• Pros: Faster checkout process, reduced cart abandonment, enhanced security features, growing adoption among younger demographics.
• Cons: Multiple wallet integrations required, varying consumer preferences, need for customer education.
• Key Players: PayPal leads international options, Apple Pay and Google Pay growing, Wero emerging as European alternative.

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

BNPL is gaining traction globally but is less dominant in France compared to cards and wallets. Currently, it only accounts for only 5% of market share among other methods. As foreign BNPL providers joined the market, its market share is expected to increase driven by:

• Younger demographics seeking flexible payment options.
• E-commerce merchants recognising conversion rate improvements.
• International providers like Klarna are trying to establish a strong French presence.

French consumers are embracing BNPL for specific purchase categories, particularly fashion, electronics, and home goods. The appeal lies in budgeting flexibility without traditional credit card interest rates.

What Merchants Need to Know:

• Pros: Increases average order value by 20-30%, appeals to credit-averse consumers, reduces purchase hesitation, popular with 18-35 demographic.
• Cons: Integration complexity, potential for increased return rates, regulatory scrutiny as governments protect consumers.
• Key Players: Klarna dominates the international market, PayPal Pay in 4 leveraging existing user base, local French providers emerging.

Open Banking: The Game-Changer

Several things are driving Open Banking in France. First, the French love digital tools. Around 79% of the population uses an eID solution (France Connect) and 91% engages with e-government services, according to the Signicat report.

Second, France ranks 12th of the 27 EU Member States in the 2022 edition of the Digital Economy and Society. It’s a leader in digital public services and is moving fast in health, digital ID, cybersecurity, quantum, and cloud.

Third, meet STET—France’s homegrown API provider for many large banks and offer features such as authentication, authorisation, proof management and fraud detection. STET has played a prominent role in furthering open banking API standards.

Fourth, driven by PSD2 and national initiatives, French banks are becoming open to third-party providers in enabling them for faster, more convenient, and personalised payments. While adoption was rather slow and cautious, strong regulatory support and growing demand for digital solutions are driving change. This change has made it simple for people to access a wider range of payment options and for businesses to offer more flexible and efficient payment solutions.

And this is where open banking is fast becoming a game-changer on the payment side. It is all about ease, convenience, and affordability of payments that enable people to make direct bank transfers without using cards and third-party processors. This implies reduced charges and immediate settlements which is quite a big win to business as well as the consumers.

France's e-commerce market, valued in the billions Euros, is a goldmine for merchants seeking faster cash flow and higher profits. Trusted online payment methods used in France, backed by leading banks, offer a competitive edge too. However, integrating these solutions requires technical expertise — which is exactly where Noda excels.

Why Noda is Your Open Banking Ally in France

For merchants aiming to capitalise on the benefits of open banking in France, Noda offers a comprehensive solution tailored to simplify integration and maximise cost savings.

Key USPs of Noda:

1. Massive Reach: Connect with major French banks like BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, and Crédit Mutuel.
2. Huge Savings: Fees kick off at 0.1%, saving €2,300 on €100,000 monthly vs. 2.4% cards, saving merchants thousands monthly.
3. Instant Payments: Real-time payment confirmation means faster order processing and improved cash flow.
4. Ironclad Security: PSD2 compliance keeps everyone safe.
5. Easy Setup and easy integration: One API handles it all, dodging tech headaches. Noda provides ready-made plugins WooCommerce, Magento, PrestaShop, and OpenCart, allowing merchants to add open banking payments quickly and securely to their online store checkout. This means you can start accepting instant bank payments with minimal setup and maximum reliability.

How Noda Compares to Payment Gateways

Let’s see how Noda compares to other Payment gateways in France:

Getting Started with Noda

Launching with Noda in France is straightforward:

1. Quick Integration: Our technical team helps you integrate Noda's API into your existing checkout.
2. Compliance Support: We handle all regulatory requirements and bank connections.
3. Customer Support: Every merchant — big or small — gets a dedicated account manager. No ticket loops, no faceless helplines. Just real human support from someone who knows your business.
4. Performance Monitoring: Real-time analytics help you optimize payment performance.

With Noda, you’re live in days, while keeping costs low. The support team walks you through setup, compliance, and growth, keeping your brand front and center. This is about building a business that thrives in France’s digital boom!

Sign up with Noda today and start accepting open banking payments that match French consumer preferences while dramatically reducing your payment processing costs.