Revolut has taken a significant step in its European expansion by securing a full banking licence in France. The licence, granted to Revolut Bank S.A. after a joint assessment by the European Central Bank (ECB) and the French prudential regulator (ACPR), was announced on Monday. It marks a milestone for the digital bank, which already serves millions of customers across the continent.
The new licence allows Revolut to operate as a fully regulated bank in France, one of the eurozone's largest economies. It also strengthens the company's position as one of Europe's leading retail banks, with ambitions to grow further both regionally and globally. The company says the licence will enable it to tailor its products more closely to local markets.
Béatrice Cossa-Dumurgier, CEO Western Europe at Revolut, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the achievement. "This achievement reflects months of close collaboration with the ACPR and the European Central Bank, whose rigorous standards have helped us build the right foundations for long-term growth in the region," she said in a press release. She added: "Our focus now turns to execution. We'll begin by serving customers in France before progressively expanding across Western Europe, while accelerating the localisation of our products and services to better meet the needs of retail and business customers in each market. This is the beginning of a new chapter for Revolut."
The French licence follows Revolut's full UK banking licence, which was granted in March 2026 after a series of regulatory hurdles and delays. The company now operates with banking licences in both the UK and the EU, giving it a solid regulatory foundation in two of Europe's most important financial markets.
Expansion plans and investment
Revolut already has 30 million customers in Western Europe, with eight million joining last year alone. Globally, the digital bank serves more than 75 million clients. To support its growth, Revolut has committed to investing over €1 billion in Western Europe and is hiring more than 600 people across these markets.
The company also plans to open a new Western European headquarters in Paris in 2027, underscoring its commitment to the French market. The Paris office will serve as a hub for its operations in the region, which will initially focus on France before rolling out to other countries such as Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
Nik Storonsky, founder and CEO of Revolut, expressed optimism about the future. "This licence gives us the foundation to build the next generation of banking for more than 30 million customers across Western Europe. France has become a leading financial hub, supported by a dynamic financial ecosystem and a robust regulatory framework," he said. "It is the ideal platform to accelerate Revolut's next phase of growth - bringing us one step closer to our ambition of becoming one of Europe's largest and most trusted banks."
The French licence is part of a two-pronged regulatory strategy. Revolut's Lithuanian entity, Revolut Bank UAB, will continue to handle operations for the rest of the European Economic Area (EEA). Both entities will be supervised by the ECB and local authorities, ensuring consistent oversight across the continent.
This development comes at a time when Europe's financial sector is undergoing rapid digital transformation. Traditional banks are facing increasing competition from fintech firms like Revolut, which offer lower fees and more user-friendly digital services. The new licence could give Revolut a competitive edge in markets where it previously operated under less comprehensive regulatory frameworks.
Revolut's expansion is also notable given the broader economic context. The eurozone has shown resilience, with growth surprising to the upside in the second quarter of 2026, though divergence among member states remains. Revolut's move into France and other Western European markets could help it capitalise on this growth, while also contributing to the region's financial innovation.
As Revolut prepares to roll out its services in France, it will face challenges such as adapting to local regulations and customer preferences. However, the company's track record of rapid growth and its substantial investment in the region suggest it is well-positioned to succeed. The coming months will reveal how effectively it can translate its French licence into tangible market gains.
