Minor's savings: who manages them and from what age?

Until the age of 18, a child's savings account is generally opened and managed by their parents or legal guardians. The Livret A savings account is an exception: service-public.gouv.fr and economie.gouv.fr indicate that a minor can open one without parental involvement. Parents are responsible for the funds and transactions on the account. They can only use the money for expenses directly related to the child, and they must provide an accounting to them. Regarding age, a child can apply for a Livret Jeune (youth savings account) at 12 with parental consent and withdraw funds from their Livret A or Livret Jeune independently at 16, unless they object. Parental management ends at age 18 for most savings products.

This page describes the framework for a minor child, product by product. It does not cover actions requiring authorization from a guardianship judge, a minor's securities account, or the taxation of a child's assurance-vie. For the Livret A and the PEAC, the official information sheets do not describe all points in the same way: this page indicates when this is the case, and these points should be verified with the bank.

Who manages a child's savings?

The rules come from service-public.gouv.fr (fact sheet "Minor: bank account and savings", verified on 11/17/2025) and from economie.gouv.fr ("What savings products can you open for your child?", written on 07/29/2026).

• Suitable from birth. Parents can request the opening of a bank account and savings products in their child's name. The information sheet specifies: "This can be done without the child's consent."«
• Responsibility. «"You are responsible for the funds and transactions on your child's account." The document adds that parents are responsible for their minor child's debts.
• Limited expenses. «"The use of these funds is limited to expenses that directly concern the child (education, maintenance)."»
• Accountability required. «"You must be accountable to your child for how you use this money."»
• Legal recourse for the child who has reached the age of majority. He can take legal action to obtain the return of his capital: "he must file a claim with the judicial court within 5 years of turning 18."«
• Third parties who provide funds. According to economie.gouv.fr, opening a savings account for a child "can only be done by the parents" or by the legal guardian(s), even if the funds are deposited by another person, such as grandparents. The same page indicates that a Livret A savings account can be opened by a minor without parental consent.

Ages to remember

On the youth savings account, economie.gouv.fr details the withdrawals: before 16 years old, the holder needs the authorization of his legal representative; from 16 to 18 years old, he can withdraw unless his legal representative objects; after 18 years old, he withdraws freely on his own.

For the Livret A savings account, the official information sheets do not describe in the same way the age at which a minor can open it alone and the age from which they can use it. The rule should be verified with the bank before taking any action.

Product by product

For a CEL (Housing Savings Account) opened from 2018 onwards, service-public.gouv.fr (F16136) indicates a single flat-rate levy of €30, collected by the bank. The information sheets for the PEL (Housing Savings Plan) (F16140) and economie.gouv.fr also mention a single flat-rate levy of €30. The applicable rate for your situation can be verified on impots.gouv.fr.

For the PEAC, the period during which the funds are blocked is not described identically by service-public.gouv.fr and economie.gouv.fr: read the plan's information sheet before opening.

Risk of capital loss. The PEAC (Plan d'épargne avenir climat) is an investment subject to market fluctuations. According to service-public.gouv.fr (F38201, verified on 13/12/2024), "The capital invested in the PEAC is not guaranteed": depending on market performance, part of the capital may be lost. Read the plan's information sheet before opening an account.

How your child's savings change your tax situation

A child under 18 is considered a dependent of their parents for tax purposes. For the 2026 tax return (covering income earned in 2025), a child born in 2007 or later is considered a dependent (service-public.gouv.fr, verified on 15/04/2026).

According to the same information sheet: "If the minor child has their own income, you must add it to your income." Parents can also opt for separate taxation of the child's income, in which case the child must have income from their own work or personal assets, and is no longer considered a dependent.

Interest earned on Livret A savings accounts, Livret Jeune savings accounts, and gains from PEAC savings plans are tax-exempt according to economie.gouv.fr; service-public.gouv.fr specifies that net gains from PEAC savings plans must still be declared. For other products, see the table above.

Numerical example (fictitious profile)

Situation. A couple has a child born on November 4, 2014. The parents wish to open a youth savings account for him as soon as the rule allows, and want to know until when they manage it and when the child decides on his own.

Issue. The youth savings account has a limit of €1,600, can be opened from age 12, has withdrawal limits based on age, and is automatically closed. Parents want to know the important dates.

Assumptions of the example. The parents wait until the child turns 12, then request the account be opened with their consent. The account is assumed to have a full balance (€1,600) for twelve months, with a constant interest rate of 1.7%. The parents keep track of all withdrawals, as they are accountable to their child.

Result.

The interest rate on a youth savings account cannot be lower than that of the Livret A savings account, which has been 1.7% since August 1, 2026 (valid until January 31, 2027, according to service-public.gouv.fr). The calculation assumes a full balance and a constant interest rate for twelve months: the Livret A rate can change, and the actual amount will vary accordingly. Interest earned on a youth savings account is exempt from income tax and social security contributions, according to economie.gouv.fr. This profile is hypothetical. The figures illustrate the calculation and do not reflect your individual circumstances.

What changes depending on your situation

• Your child's age: it determines what they can ask for, take away, or decide on their own.
• The product chosen: a PEL cannot be used before 18 years of age, a youth savings account is withdrawn according to age.
• Your income and that of the child: a minor's own income is added to yours, unless you opt for separate taxation.
• Your place of residence: the youth savings account and the PEAC require you to reside in France. If you are planning to leave, check your situation with the bank before the departure date.
• The origin of the funds: grandparents can contribute, but the opening of a savings product is done by the parents or legal representatives, the Livret A being treated separately.

No results are promised.