Overview
- An EU directive will classify overdrafts under €200 and shorter than one month as consumer credit, requiring banks to assess solvency before granting them.
- France will transpose the measure by ordinance, with the national rules scheduled to take effect on 20 November 2026.
- Economy Minister Roland Lescure is convening banks and consumer associations at Bercy to reassure customers and counter misinformation about the changes.
- Regulators say the shift largely formalizes existing practice for larger overdrafts, while banks and consumer advocates warn of potential exclusion for vulnerable and middle‑income customers.
- Existing overdraft authorizations set up before the effective date will not be revoked, new accounts will face a one‑time solvency check at opening, overdrafts will count in debt‑to‑income calculations, and traditional agios will give way to interest rates.