Head of practice
Head of Corporate Law and Fintech Practice. Expert in the creation and reorganization of companies, support of M&A transactions, as well as legal support for opening and running a business in the EU, Asia, and North America.
Financial monitoring in France
In 2025, France remains one of the most active countries in the European Union in the fight against money laundering (AML) and the financing of terrorism (CFT). After the adoption of a number of amendments to the Code monétaire et financier (Monetary and Financial Code) and the implementation of the Fifth and Sixth EU Directives on AML/CFT, French banks, payment systems and financial institutions operate in a strict system of control over financial flows.
The law firm “Prykhodko and Partners”, having significant experience in supporting fintech companies and corporate clients in the EU, helps Ukrainian businesses undergo financial monitoring in France, prepare documents and build an internal control system in accordance with the requirements of TRACFIN, the national authority for combating financial crimes.
How to undergo financial monitoring for a legal entity and an individual?
Financial monitoring in France is aimed at verifying the legality of the origin of funds, the business reputation of counterparties and the intended use of capital.
For legal entities, the check is carried out when:
- opening bank accounts;
- registering a new company or changing owners;
- conducting transactions in excess of €10,000;
- participating in international transfers and crypto transactions.
For individuals, monitoring is applied when making large transfers, purchasing real estate, receiving income from abroad or investments.
To successfully pass financial monitoring, a person must provide documents confirming the origin of funds, for example:
- tax returns;
- bank statements;
- contracts for the provision of services or the sale of assets;
- confirmation of investment, earnings or dividends.
Local legal requirements
Financial monitoring in France is primarily regulated by:
- Articles L561-1 – L574-3 of the Monetary and Financial Code (Code monétaire et financier);
- EU Directives No. 2015/849 (AMLD5) and No. 2018/1673 (AMLD6);
- Regulations of the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR) – the supervisory authority of the Banque de France.
According to Art. L561-2, financial monitoring is required to be carried out by:
- banks, financial companies, investment funds;
- notaries, lawyers, auditors;
- gambling operators, crypto exchangers, payment institutions.
The French authority TRACFIN (Traitement du Renseignement et Action contre les Circuits FINanciers clandestines) processes more than 160,000 suspicious transaction reports (SARs) every year, an 18% increase compared to 2023 (ACPR data, 2025).
Main requirements for financial monitoring
The French system is based on a risk-based approach (RBA). All customers are divided into risk categories: low, medium and high.
Main requirements:
- KYC (Know Your Customer): identification of the customer and the ultimate beneficiaries;
- KYB (Know Your Business): verification of the corporate structure, statutory documents, related companies;
- KYT (Know Your Transaction): analysis of the origin and purpose of payments;
- Screening: verification of customers against sanctions lists (EU, UN, OFAC);
- Ongoing Monitoring: Re-checking customers every 12–24 months.
According to the ACPR, in 2025, 42% of fines for AML violations in France were related to the lack of KYC refresh.
Procedure and deadlines
The monitoring procedure consists of several stages:
- Onboarding: Lasts 1–5 days. Documents are collected, a basic risk assessment is carried out.
- Enhanced Due Diligence: For high-risk customers – up to 10 days. Sources of financing, business model, tax documents are requested.
- Transaction Monitoring: The bank’s automated systems analyze suspicious transactions in real time.
- Report to TRACFIN: If a risk is detected, the bank or financial institution is required to send a message within 24 hours.
Violation of deadlines or failure to provide information may result in the blocking of accounts or a fine of up to €5 million for a legal entity (Article L574-1 of the CMF).
How much does a legal audit of a company cost?
A legal audit for compliance with AML/CFT requirements in France costs from €1,500 to €25,000, depending on the volume of operations, industry and the presence of international transactions.
At Prikhodko & Partners, a standard audit includes:
- analysis of the corporate structure;
- verification of sources of financing;
- analysis of KYC/AML policies;
- risk assessment and development of recommendations.
For fintech companies, we also provide AML training for staff and prepare an AML Policy adapted to the requirements of ACPR and TRACFIN.
Main difficulties in undergoing financial monitoring
Among the typical problems of business in France:
- bank requests for “economic substance” (real presence in the country);
- refusal to open an account due to insufficient KYC dossier;
- blocking of transactions during transfers to Ukraine due to sanctions control;
- difficulty in confirming the sources of crypto income.
According to the Banque de France, in 2025, more than 14% of applications for opening accounts by companies with non-residents were rejected precisely due to non-compliance with AML policies.
France’s interaction with the EU and Ukraine
France is actively participating in the creation of a single European AML Authority (AMLA), which is scheduled to be launched in Frankfurt in 2026.
This authority will coordinate the supervision of all national financial regulators of the EU, including TRACFIN.
Ukraine, in turn, is harmonizing its legislation in accordance with the EU AML package, in particular, laws No. 361-IX and No. 2736-IX. This allows Ukrainian companies undergoing financial monitoring in France to more easily confirm the origin of funds and receive banking services.
Prykhodko & Partners has experience in supporting clients who simultaneously undergo AML procedures in France, Lithuania and Poland – taking into account the European unification of requirements.
How do we help with financial monitoring?
Our approach combines legal expertise, financial audit and practical experience working with EU regulators.
We offer:
- Preparation of a full package of documents for banks and payment systems;
- Development of the company’s AML/KYC policies in accordance with French law;
- Responses to TRACFIN or ACPR requests;
- Protection of interests in case of account blocking or fines;
Financial monitoring in France is not just a formal check, but a comprehensive system of risk protection. For businesses, it is a chance to demonstrate transparency and increase the trust of banks and partners. The law firm “Prikhodko and Partners” supports Ukrainian and European clients in France, ensuring full compliance with legislation, rapid response to TRACFIN requests and effective management of AML risks. If your business plans to enter the French or European market, financial monitoring with the right legal support will not be an obstacle, but a competitive advantage.
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