Caisse d’Epargne exchange rates and fees in France: the complete guide for expats
The savings bank charges fees on all foreign currency transactions. Is it possible to save money by taking advantage of the real exchange rate?
Société Générale exchange fees: everything you need to know about the rate
Withdrawing cash or paying by card abroad can quickly become expensive. At Société Générale, most foreign currency transactions include a surcharge hidden within the exchange rate.
While there are a few ways to reduce these costs — for example, by choosing the right card or timing your transactions — the potential savings are often limited.
A more effective way to manage costs is to use a provider that applies the mid-market exchange rate, with no hidden markups. Wise, for example, offers a Visa debit card that allows you to make payments and withdrawals abroad at the mid-market rate.
Société Générale: fees and exchange rates applied
International transfer fees
Transfer costs at Société Générale depend on the amount, the sending method (online or in branch), and the fee distribution option you select (SHA or OUR).
Here are the fees for outgoing transfers outside the SEPA zone:¹
| Transfer amount | Online | In-branch |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ €500 | SHA: €9 OUR: €9 + €23 | SHA: €13 OUR: €13 + €23 |
| > €500 | SHA: €13 OUR: €13 + €23 | SHA: 0.10% (min. €26, max. €70) OUR: 0.10% (min. €26, max. €70) + €23 |
For incoming transfers from outside the SEPA zone, Société Générale applies the following fees:¹
| Transfer amount | Fees |
|---|---|
| ≤ €500 | Free |
| > €500 | €22 |
Additional commissions may also be charged by correspondent banks during the transfer process.
Withdrawal fees abroad
Withdrawals made outside the euro area incur the following charges:¹
| Card type | Fees |
|---|---|
| CB Visa Infinite card | €3 + 2% |
| Other cards | €3 + 2.7% |
Card payment fees abroad
Payments abroad are also subject to a percentage fee depending on your card type:¹
| Card type | CB Visa Infinite Card | Other cards |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ €10 | 2% | 2.7% |
| > €10 | €1 + 2% | €1 + 2.7% |
Exchange rate margins
For all foreign currency transactions, Société Générale applies its own exchange rate, as set by its trading room at the time of the transaction.
A commercial margin is added to this rate — meaning the applied rate is less favourable than the interbank or mid-market rate.
SEPA zone surcharge
Even within the SEPA zone, certain ATMs may charge extra service fees. These local charges depend on the ATM operator and may not always appear on your statement.
Buying foreign currency with Société Générale
If you’re a Société Générale customer in France, you have two main options for obtaining foreign currency before travelling:
- In-branch purchase: Processing may take several days. Sales are subject to a 1.5% commission (minimum €6), in addition to the marked-up exchange rate.¹
- ATM withdrawal abroad: You can withdraw cash directly, but each transaction is subject to both fixed and variable fees.
FAQ: understanding Société Générale’s exchange rate fees
What is the exchange rate?
The exchange rate is the average price at which banks and financial institutions buy and sell currencies on the global market — often referred to as the interbank rate.
However, Société Générale applies a margin to this rate, meaning customers don’t receive the same rate used between banks.
Why do exchange rates fluctuate?
Exchange rates constantly fluctuate due to several factors, including:
- Supply and demand: The higher the demand for a currency, the higher its value.
- Speculative movements: Large-scale buying or selling of currencies on the Forex market.
- Economic factors: Inflation, changes in purchasing power, and the overall economic health of the issuing country.
On which markets do banks exchange currencies?
Banks operate on several types of foreign exchange markets:
- Spot market: The exchange and payment occur almost immediately, making the rate predictable.
- Forward market: Payment happens after a fixed period, with the final rate determined at maturity.
- Forex: A speculative market based on trading differences between currency pairs.
What do buying and selling prices mean?
If you’re buying a foreign currency, Société Générale uses the selling price (less favourable for the buyer).
If you’re selling foreign currency back to the bank, it uses the buying price.
Sometimes, a cross rate may be used — this compares two currencies based on a third currency’s rate.
Convert currencies at the mid-market rate with Wise
With a Wise account, you can convert money at the mid-market exchange rate — with no markup.
This ensures transparency and fairness when making international payments or managing multi-currency balances.
The Wise debit card lets you pay directly in the local currency, avoiding conversion fees if you already hold that currency.
If a conversion is needed, Wise automatically exchanges at the mid-market rate with fair, clearly displayed fees.
You can also withdraw up to €200 per month for free (within two withdrawals).
Source:
Last verified on September 02, 2025.
This article is a translation of the original article published in French and was translated within 365 days of publication. While the content has been translated for accessibility, the data and sources referenced have not been updated since the original publication date.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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