Youth savings account: conditions, limits and withdrawals

The youth savings account is a regulated savings account reserved for 12- to 25-year-olds who are habitual residents of France. Its maximum deposit is €1,600, excluding accrued interest. The interest rate is set freely by each bank, but cannot be lower than that of the Livret A savings account, which is 1.7% (%) as of August 1, 2026. Interest earned is exempt from income tax and social security contributions. Withdrawals depend on age: authorization from a legal guardian is required before age 16; withdrawals are unrestricted unless there is a objection from age 16 to 18; and withdrawals are unrestricted after age 18.

This page outlines the product rules. It does not cover bank selection or the rates offered by each institution: official sources do not provide a list of these.

Key figures

Who can open a youth savings account?

Service-public.gouv.fr (F2904) sets three conditions: being between 12 and 25 years old, having one's habitual residence in France, and not already having a youth savings account. The account can be opened from age 12, at the request of the young person or their legal guardian. The bank requires the signature of the minor's legal guardian and supporting documents, including a sworn statement and a document establishing the date of birth.

The information sheet adds that "the number of youth savings accounts is limited to one per person." If the conditions are no longer met, the bank must close the account.

The youth savings account can be held in conjunction with a current account, a Livret A savings account, a LEP (People's Savings Account), or a LDDS (Sustainable Development Savings Account) (F2904). Since July 1, 2023, banks can no longer require that the account and the savings account be held at the same institution. Economie.gouv.fr specifies that the bank must provide the account holder with a written document explaining how the savings account works, and that no fees or commissions should be charged for opening, managing, or closing the account.

Ceiling, payments and interest

The limit is €1,600. If the capitalized interest causes it to exceed this limit, the holder keeps their account but can no longer make deposits into it (F2904).

• Opening €10 minimum. No periodic payments are required.
• Deposits Most banks require a minimum of €10 per transaction.
• Interest calculation : on the 1st and 16th of each month, in full fortnights. They are added to the capital on December 31st.
• Rate : set freely by the banks, but cannot be lower than that of the Livret A savings account. Service-public.gouv.fr states: "currently, it is 1.7% of %". Economie.gouv.fr indicates 1.5% of % from February 1, 2026, then 1.7% of % from August 1, 2026.

The interest rate on the Livret A savings account changes: the rate on a youth savings account may therefore also change. This page does not show the rates offered by your bank.

Withdrawals based on age

Only the account holder can withdraw cash at the counter. Most banks require a minimum of €10 per withdrawal, and a withdrawal cannot result in a negative balance on the account. A withdrawal card may be issued: it is generally only usable at ATMs within the bank's network (economie.gouv.fr).

For the broader issue of a child's savings, with parents managing until the age of 18, the page "Savings of a minor: who manages and from what age" complements this one.

Closure, transfer and succession

• Closing at any time, to recover the funds. For a minor, the agreement of the legal representative is required (F2904).
• Automatic closure in the year of the 25th anniversary. The request must be made no later than December 31 of this year, otherwise the bank will close itself (F2904).
• Closure during the year : interest is credited on the closing date.
• No transfer. Service-public.gouv.fr states: "It is not possible to request the transfer of a youth savings account." To change banks, the account must first be closed.
• Death of the holder : the bank closes the account; bank charges are capped at 1 % of the total balance, without exceeding €857 (F2904).
• Inactive passbook : the sums in a savings account closed after inactivity can be found via Ciclade (Caisse des dépôts).

Youth savings account: numerical example (fictitious profile)

Situation. Louise was born on May 15, 2012. Her parents open a youth savings account in her name and deposit €1,600 into it on January 1, 2027. The rate is assumed to be equal to 1.7 %, the floor set by the Livret A rate, and constant.

Issue. Parents want to know the relevant dates and whether the ceiling blocks interest payments.

Strategy. They note the key ages (16 years, 18 years, year of 25) and monitor the balance, knowing that capitalized interest can exceed the ceiling without closing the account.

Result.

Over three years, the cumulative interest amounts to €82.99. The balance exceeds €1,600, which is the amount official sources predict for capitalized interest, but no new deposits are possible. The calculation is simplified: constant rate, deposit on January 1st, annual interest capitalized on December 31st, without a breakdown by fortnight. This profile is fictitious. The figures illustrate the calculation and do not reflect your specific situation.

Youth passbook: what changes depending on your situation

• The age of the account holder: it determines who decides on withdrawals.
• Your place of residence: habitual residence in France is a requirement for opening an account, and the bank must close the account if the conditions are no longer met. A planned departure should be verified with the bank before the date.
• Other family savings accounts: the youth savings account can be combined with the Livret A, the LEP and the LDDS.
• The rate actually applied by the bank: it may exceed that of the Livret A savings account.

No results are promised.