Nickel
French account opened in about five minutes online or at a tobacconist, with cards from €25 a year and no overdraft
Quick Overview
| Company | Financière des Paiements Électroniques (Nickel) |
|---|---|
| Category | Neobanks and Digital Banks |
| Headquarters | Charenton-le-Pont, France |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - France (EU) |
| Data Location | France |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Account opened in a Point Nickel or online, Classic, My Nickel, Chrome and Metal cards, joint youth and pro offers, no overdraft |
| Pricing | Classic €25 a year; My Nickel €25 a year plus €10; Chrome €55 a year (checked 28 October 2026) |
| Best For | People in France who want a simple account with no overdraft and an in-person opening option |
| Replaces | Chime, basic bank accounts |
Detailed Review
The legal notice says the site is published by Financière des Paiements Électroniques (FPE), trading as Nickel, a simplified joint-stock company registered in Créteil (RCS 753 886 092) with its head office in Charenton-le-Pont, France.
The service is available in France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Germany according to the country selector.
Cards and Pricing
Nickel charges for the card rather than the account. Classic costs €25 a year, My Nickel €25 plus €10 for a personalised card, and Chrome €55 a year. The home page also lists a Metal card.
No Overdraft
The vendor says an overdraft is not possible with a Nickel card: payments are authorised only if the account balance is sufficient, so no overdraft fees apply.
Opening an Account
Accounts can be opened online or at a Point Nickel, and the vendor advertises a five-minute opening in a Point Nickel.
Limitations to Consider
There is a yearly cost for the card where app banks offer a free tier. No overdraft means payments are declined without funds. The site is primarily in French and the product is basic: no savings range or investing was seen on the pages checked.
Who Should Use Nickel
People in France who want a simple, predictable account and prefer to open it in person.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Opening in person at a Point Nickel
- Predictable annual card fee
- No overdraft fees by design
- Available in five countries
- Registered French operator
Cons
- Card fee from €25 a year
- Basic range, no investing
- Declined payments without funds
- Mostly French-language site
Alternatives to Nickel
Other European neobanks and digital banks worth comparing before you decide:
bunq
Netherlands · Dutch licensed bank with four personal plans, free to €18.99
Tomorrow
Germany · Sustainable German current account from €0 with Solaris as bank
Lunar
Denmark · Danish bank with a free account, Plus and Unlimited plans
N26
Germany · German mobile bank with Standard, Smart, Go and Metal plans
See all European neobanks and digital banks or compare them directly against Chime on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Financière des Paiements Électroniques (FPE), trading as Nickel, registered in Créteil.
No. Payments are only authorised if the balance is sufficient.
Classic costs €25 a year, Chrome €55 a year according to the tariff page.