How to switch bank in 2026? The simple guide
- Since the Macron law (service in force since 6 February 2017), you simply sign a bank mobility mandate with the new bank: it handles the transfer of your recurring incoming transfers and direct debits.
- The transfer of your operations must be finalised within a maximum of 22 working days from a complete file.
- The mobility service is free: the old bank cannot charge for passing on the information or for closing the account within this framework.
- ⚠️ This guide is for information only and does not constitute personalised advice. Check the conditions with your bank before taking any steps.
Are you wondering how to switch bank without spending hours notifying your employer, your landlord and every organisation that debits your account? Since the Macron law, the process is largely automated thanks to the bank mobility mandate. Here is how it works, step by step.
What is the bank mobility mandate?
The bank mobility assistance service stems from the Macron law of 6 August 2015 and has been fully in force since 6 February 2017. Its principle: it is the new bank that takes charge of transferring your recurring operations (incoming transfers such as your salary, direct debits such as your subscriptions or your rent).
Concretely, you sign a bank mobility mandate by providing the account details (RIB) of your old account. The new bank then handles contacting your old bank and your creditors on your behalf.
The steps and the 22-working-day deadline
Once the mandate is signed, the procedure follows a regulated schedule, for a total of 22 working days maximum from a complete file:
- Day 0: you sign the mandate with the new bank.
- Within 2 working days: it asks the old bank for the list of your recurring transfers and direct debits.
- Within 5 working days: the old bank sends this list.
- Within 10 working days: the new bank communicates your new account details (RIB) to each organisation concerned.
- Within 22 working days: all operations must switch over to the new account.
These deadlines correspond to the legal framework of the mobility service (source: Macron law / service in force since February 2017).
A free service
Good news for your budget: the bank mobility service is free. The old bank cannot charge either for passing on the information or for closing the current account requested within this framework. The new bank also offers this service at no cost.
Only certain savings products (for example the transfer of a PEA) may be subject to specific fees depending on the pricing in force. The current account, for its part, does not entail closing fees.
Points to watch before switching
The mandate automates a great deal, but a few good habits remain useful:
- Leave a reserve on the old account for a few weeks, until all direct debits have properly migrated.
- Check for uncashed cheques and any ongoing credits or overdrafts.
- Review the list sent over: a forgotten direct debit (an annual health-insurance payment, for example) can slip through the net.
Only once the account is genuinely inactive is it prudent to close it definitively.
Choosing your new bank well
The bulk of the work ultimately comes down to choosing the right institution. Account-keeping fees, card conditions, app quality, welcome offer: the criteria vary according to your profile. To compare, see our ranking of the best online banks, often free subject to income conditions, or that of the best neobanks if you favour quick account opening and fully mobile management.
Take the time to check that the offer matches your real usage before launching the mandate: the switch then happens almost on its own.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to switch bank?
The bank mobility service provides for a maximum of 22 working days to move your recurring transfers and direct debits to the new account, counting from the receipt of a complete file by the new bank (source: Macron law, service in force since February 2017).
Does switching bank cost anything?
The bank mobility assistance service is free. The old bank cannot charge either for passing on the information or for closing the current account requested within this framework. Only certain regulated savings products may carry specific transfer fees.
Do I have to close my old account myself?
You can ask the new bank to request the closure of the old account as part of the mandate. It remains prudent to check that no operations are still passing through it before the definitive closure.