Politics · France · 2 hrs ago
French banks will assess customers before granting small overdrafts
From 20 November 2026, French banks must check repayment ability before granting authorised overdrafts, including small ones.
The change applies in France under a European consumer-credit directive.
Until then, banks generally had to assess solvency for overdrafts of at least €200 or lasting more than a month.
Under the new rules, smaller or shorter overdrafts will also be covered, with checks proportionate to the amount and duration.
Banks may consider a customer’s income, assets, debts and expenses when making that assessment.
Existing overdraft authorisations will remain valid, and the overdraft facility itself is not being removed.
The rules are intended to strengthen borrower protection and reduce the risk of excessive debt.
From 20 November 2026, French banks must assess customers’ ability to repay before granting small authorised overdrafts.
The new rule will cover overdrafts below €200 and/or lasting less than one month, which currently face less stringent checks.
The assessment must be proportionate to the overdraft’s amount and duration.
Existing overdraft authorisations granted before the change will remain valid.
The European consumer credit directive also aims to improve borrower protection and reduce the risk of over-indebtedness.
- Who
- French banks and customers seeking authorised overdrafts.
- What
- Banks will have to assess customers’ solvency before granting small overdrafts.
- When
- From 20 November 2026.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- France is applying a European consumer credit directive intended to strengthen borrower protection and reduce the risk of over-indebtedness.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The European consumer credit directive was adopted.
France is due to apply the directive, extending solvency checks to small authorised overdrafts.
- Implementation date
- 20 November 2026
- Threshold
- Less than €200 and/or less than one month
- Assessment
- Must be proportionate to the overdraft’s amount and duration
- Existing authorisations
- Overdraft authorisations granted before 20 November 2026 remain valid
- Directive
- CCD2, adopted on 18 October 2023
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De nouvelles règles à venir : les banques vont désormais éplucher vos comptes avant d’accorder un découvert ou un crédit à la consommation
Votre découvert vous coûtera moins cher : les règles changent à partir du 20 novembre
Découvert bancaire : ce qui change le 20 novembre 2026 - 12/10/2026 à 08:00 - Conso
What people are saying
Cette évaluation doit être proportionnée au montant et à la durée du découvert
l'évaluation de la solvabilité sera proportionnée à la durée et au montant du découvert, comme c'est déjà le cas pour les découverts égaux ou supérieurs à 200 € et/ou d'une durée de plus d'un mois