« Few people know this »: here is the maximum amount of cash you can keep at home

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The famous €10,000 threshold: myth or reality?

The figure of €10,000 is widely circulated, and for good reason: a European regulation will come into effect in 2027. However, it does not concern cash kept at home, but rather the  limit on cash payments . Above this amount, it will no longer be possible to pay for a purchase in cash within the European Union.

 

The objective is clear: to increase transparency and limit abuses in certain high-value transactions. For French individuals, the impact will remain limited, as France already applies strict rules regarding cash payments.

Payments, limits and mandatory written documents: the rules you need to know

In practice, the law mainly regulates the use of cash, not its storage. Here are the important thresholds to keep in mind, in a logical order of use:

A maximum of €1,000 for cash payments to professionals in France. For payments of
€1,500 or more between individuals, a written agreement is strongly recommended to retain proof of the transaction.
A maximum of €10,000 for cash payments within the European Union from 2027.

In other words, you can hold more cash at home , but you won’t always be able to use it freely to pay.

Why keeping cash at home still provides so much reassurance

Despite the widespread use of bank cards and digital payments, cash retains a special place. The European Central Bank describes it as a « backup plan » in a highly digital, but not infallible, system.

She therefore recommends keeping between €70 and €100 per person, enough to cover essential needs for about three days. A computer outage, a bank failure, or a technical problem can happen, and this cash becomes very valuable. It’s a bit like having a flashlight in a drawer: you hope you’ll never need it, but it’s reassuring to have it handy.

Finding the right balance to avoid stress and complications

In reality, the French often do things their own way: some keep less than €100, others several hundred, or even more. The key is to remain consistent with one’s personal situation, not to unnecessarily tie up savings, and to keep, when possible, simple and understandable proof of the origin of the funds.

 

Between caution, common sense, and reliable information, keeping cash at home is perfectly legal, provided you remain sensible and well-organized. In short: keeping some cash at home can be reassuring, but true peace of mind comes from knowing why you do it and being able to calmly explain it if needed.

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