Inheritance banking fees capped by law

A law enacted in November 2025 introduced a cap on fees for handling inheritances, limiting them to 1% of the total assets, with a maximum of 857 euros. This law aimed to standardize costs and prevent excessive charges, especially for vulnerable groups like minors and those with modest estates.

Fee changes over time

Before the law, banking fees for inheritances varied widely between institutions, with some charging as much as several hundred euros. Annual reports from MoneyVox highlighted these disparities, showing that fees could be particularly high for small or minor estates. The new law sought to address this issue by setting a clear ceiling.

Constitutional Council intervention

From November 2025 to June 2026, the Constitutional Council temporarily suspended the exemption of fees for modest or simple inheritances. However, the cap on fees—1% of the total assets, up to 857 euros—remained in place and could be adjusted yearly by government decree.

Fee increases after June 2026

After June 2026, when the suspension of the exemption ended, banks began raising their fees again. The average cost for handling an inheritance increased compared to the early 2020s, though it was still significantly lower than before the law was introduced. MoneyVox reported that the average had nearly halved since the early 2020s.

Pre-law fee reductions

In the years leading up to the law, banks had already begun reducing their fees. By 2025, the average cost for a "simple" inheritance had dropped below 200 euros, partly due to early preparations by major banks like Crédit Mutuel and Crédit Agricole. However, disparities between banks remained significant.

Post-law fee drops and current state

With the law in effect, fees for simple inheritances dropped to zero in early 2026, as the exemption for modest estates was in place. By 2027, however, the average for a 15,000 euro inheritance had risen to 146.29 euros, with some banks still offering free processing for this amount. Most banks, however, have aligned with the new 1% cap, charging around 150 euros for such cases.

Ongoing uncertainty in fee policies

Many banks have not yet updated their fee schedules to reflect the new rules, creating uncertainty about what customers will pay in 2027. Some banks, like BoursoBank and Banque Populaire Rives de Paris, continue to offer free processing for simple inheritances, while others have adopted the 1% cap. The final details will be revealed when banks update their 2027 brochures.

Lasting impact of the law

Although the law has faced some legal challenges, its influence is clear in current banking practices. Fees for minor inheritances are no longer legally required, but banks have chosen not to reintroduce them. Similarly, many banks continue to offer free processing for modest estates, even though the legal requirement has lifted. This has simplified fee structures, moving away from the complex and sometimes excessive charges seen before the law.