CEL: ceiling, rate and loan for the housing savings account

The home savings account (CEL) is a regulated savings product. Its maximum deposit is €15,300, excluding accrued interest. The interest rate has been 1.25% since August 1, 2026. It is opened with an initial deposit of €300, and subsequent deposits must be at least €75. After 18 months and a minimum amount of accrued interest, it becomes eligible for a home savings loan, up to a limit of €23,000.

This page does not calculate social security contributions on interest: their rate should be verified with the official source. It also does not address the interest rate, loan term, or the status of a non-resident.

Key figures

Who can open a CEL, and how many?

According to economie.gouv.fr and service-public.gouv.fr, any adult or minor can open a CEL (Housing Savings Account). For a child, economie.gouv.fr states that "until the child turns 18, the legal representative manages the account.".

It is not possible to hold multiple CEL accounts. Information sheet F16136 warns that holding multiple CEL accounts risks causing the loss of accrued interest and entitlement to loans and bonuses.

The CEL can be combined with a PEL, provided that both accounts are in the same banking institution.

Deposits, withdrawals and minimum balance

• At the opening €300 minimum.
• Afterwards The amount is flexible, with a minimum of €75 per payment, payable by check, cash at the counter, or bank transfer. Since July 1, 2023, transfers can originate from an account held at another bank.
• Ceiling €15,300. Capitalized interest may exceed this amount.
• Withdrawals : withdrawals are free at any time, provided that €300 is left in the account. A withdrawal that reduces the balance below this threshold may result in the account being closed.

Interest rates and calculation

The CEL (Housing Savings Account) rate is 1.25% per 100,000 TAXes (%) since August 1, 2026 (economie.gouv.fr, service-public.gouv.fr). Service-public.gouv.fr cites the decree of July 28, 2026, for the period from August 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027. The rate is set per period: the applicable rate is verified on the date of your payment.

Interest is calculated every two weeks, on the 1st and 16th of each month. According to service-public.gouv.fr, funds remaining in the CEL (Housing Savings Account) from the 1st to the 15th of the month accrue interest on the 16th; the following two-week period runs from the 16th to the last day of the month (economie.gouv.fr). The year's interest is added to the principal on December 31st.

Interest and tax: it all depends on the opening date

For a CEL (Housing Savings Account) opened since 2018, the "income tax" portion of the flat-rate levy is 12.8% (service-public.gouv.fr, F16136). Interest earned must be declared (economie.gouv.fr). The social security contribution rate is not included here. : it should be verified with the official source before any net calculation.

State bonus. Savings accounts (CELs) opened since January 1, 2018 are no longer eligible. For a CEL opened before 2018, economie.gouv.fr indicates that it is capped at €1,144.

The CEL home savings loan

According to economie.gouv.fr and service-public.gouv.fr, a CEL (Housing Savings Account) may entitle you to a loan if:

• The account is open for at least 18 months ;
• he acquired a minimum interest, of €75, €37 or €22.5 depending on the purpose of the funding (service-public.gouv.fr).

The loan is capped at €23,000. With a PEL, the total of the two loans cannot exceed €92,000.

Among the projects listed in the fact sheets are the purchase or construction of a primary residence, extension work, and commercial or professional premises that also include the primary residence. Service-public.gouv.fr adds thermal insulation, heating, and renewable energy work for properties located in metropolitan France or an overseas department. The exact list can be found on the official fact sheets, depending on the date the CEL (Housing Savings Account) was opened. If the loan finances an operation not covered by the regulations, the bank may demand immediate repayment.

Loan rights can be transferred to a family member who holds a CEL (Housing Savings Account) opened for at least 18 months (economie.gouv.fr), who can combine them with their own; service-public.gouv.fr provides for a shorter period in certain cases. Upon the account holder's death, the account is closed and the loan rights are transferred to the heirs.

To finance the remainder of your project, we can put you in touch with our banking partners. This page does not provide loan rates or terms.

Transfer, closure, succession

• Transfer to another possible bank, unless the holder also holds a PEL in the current institution (service-public.gouv.fr).
• Fence Free, without conditions. You must provide the bank with an account to receive the balance.
• Death : bank charges are capped at 1 % of the total balance of the deceased's accounts and savings products, without exceeding €857.

CEL and home savings loan: numerical example (fictitious profile)

Situation. A couple opens a CEL (Housing Savings Account) on January 1, 2027 with €10,000. They plan to carry out work on their main residence within two years.

Issue. The couple wants to know when the loan term conditions are met and how much gross interest the account will have generated.

Strategy. It applies the 18-month existence rule and the rate of 1.25 %, assumed constant, without new payment.

Result.

The highest interest threshold of €75 mentioned would be reached in approximately 7.2 months at this rate. In this example, the 18-month term is the latest possible scenario. The calculation is simplified: constant rate, no withdrawals, simple pro-rata over six months, without bi-weekly breakdowns, and without taxes or social security contributions. The actual rate changes each period, and the bank specifies what it considers "accrued interest." This profile is hypothetical. The figures illustrate the calculation and do not reflect your specific situation.

CEL and home savings loan: what changes depending on your situation

• The account opening date: before or since January 1, 2018, the interest regime and access to the State bonus differ.
• Your project: the purpose of the financing determines the minimum interest to have been acquired.
• The presence of a PEL in the same bank: it conditions the accumulation, the loan ceiling and the transfer.
• The age of the account holder: for a minor, the legal representative manages the account until they turn 18.
• Your residence: the pages consulted do not detail the situation of a non-resident, which is verified with the bank.

No results are promised.