Industry professionals such as credit institutions, financing companies, payment institutions, electronic money institutions and insurance undertakings must be granted authorisation by the ACPR.

Engaging in banking or insurance activities without being authorised to do so is illegal! Professionals may, however, be granted authorisation in another Member State of the European Economic Area and operate in France under the freedom of establishment (FoE) or the freedom to provide services (FPS).

Financial intermediaries providing banking and payment services, insurance intermediaries and crowdfunding intermediaries must be registered with ORIAS, an entity that is independent from the ACPR and maintains the single register of insurance, banking and finance intermediaries.

Financial intermediaries offering banking and payment services that engage in mortgage credit intermediation, as well as insurance intermediaries, may be registered in another Member State of the European Economic Area and operate in France under the FoE or FPS passporting rules.

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Updated on the 14th of August 2025

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