Bad credit in France: Your Complete Guide to Clearing Your Name

Dealing with bad credit in France often brings that sinking feeling when a loan application is denied, or a simple credit request is met with a firm ‘no’.

We understand how incredibly stressful and isolating it can feel when your financial past starts to block your future. Unlike in other countries, this situation isn’t about a low score.

Instead, it means you’ve been listed on specific national registers managed by the Banque de France, namely the FICP or FCC. However, being on one of these lists doesn’t have to be a permanent sentence.

That’s precisely why we’ve created this guide to walk you through exactly what these files are, how you end up on them, and most importantly, the actionable steps you can take to clear your name and regain financial freedom.

Understanding France’s Credit System: FICP vs. FCC

First things first, let’s demystify these acronyms. In France, your creditworthiness isn’t measured by a score from a private company. Instead, the Banque de France maintains two crucial “negative” registers. If you’re not on them, that’s a good thing. If you are, lenders will see it.

What is the FICP (Personal Credit Repayment Incidents File)?

The Fichier des Incidents de remboursement des Crédits aux Particuliers (FICP) is the file that tracks issues related to credit repayment. Think of it as the register for missed loan, credit card, or overdraft payments.

Essentially, if you have a loan and fail to make payments, the bank or credit institution that lent you the money will report you to the Banque de France, which then adds your name to the FICP.

Consequently, being on this list makes getting any new form of credit almost impossible, as all lenders are legally required to check it before approving a loan.

And What About the FCC (Central Cheque File)?

The Fichier Central des Chèques (FCC) is a separate file that deals with payment incidents related to cheques and credit cards. This isn’t about loans, but rather about how you use your current account and its associated payment methods.

You can land on this list for writing a cheque without having enough money in your account to cover it (chèque sans provision) or for misusing your bank card (for example, exceeding your authorised overdraft for a prolonged period after the bank has demanded repayment).

The consequence is an interdit bancaire, which can prevent you from writing cheques and, in some cases, using your bank cards for a set period.

How Do You End Up with Bad Credit in France?

Understanding the specific triggers for listing is the first step towards avoiding them or fixing the situation. It’s often less dramatic than people think, and can happen due to a couple of missed payments.

Common Reasons for an FICP Listing

You can be registered on the FICP for the following reasons:

• Missed Loan Payments: Failing to pay two consecutive monthly instalments on a personal loan, car loan, or mortgage.
• Overdue Non-Monthly Payments: For loans where payments aren’t monthly, failing to pay an instalment for more than 60 days.
• Unpaid Overdraft: Having an authorised overdraft and failing to repay the amount owed for more than 60 days after your bank has formally demanded it (the amount must typically be at least €500).
• Filing for Over-Indebtedness: If you formally file for over-indebtedness (dossier de surendettement) with the Banque de France, they’ll automatically add you to the FICP.

Before listing you, the financial institution must first send you a formal letter warning you of the risk and giving you a chance (usually 30 days) to regularise the situation.

Triggers for an FCC Listing

An FCC listing is usually caused by:

• Bouncing a Cheque: Issuing a cheque when there are insufficient funds in your account to honour it. The bank will inform you and give you a chance to add funds to the account. If you don’t, a listing might be in order.
• Abusive Use of a Bank Card: This happens when the bank revokes your card due to misuse, such as repeatedly exceeding your limit, and you fail to return the card.

The First Step: How to Check Your Status with the Banque de France

Before you can clear your name, you need to confirm that you are actually in the list and understand why. You have a legal right to access this information for free. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Online: The easiest and quickest method. Go to the Banque de France website and use your FranceConnect identity to log in. You can access your file information directly from your personal space.
2. In-Person: You can make an appointment at a local branch of the Banque de France. You will need to bring a valid piece of identification (ID card, passport).
3. By Post: Send a signed letter requesting your file information, along with a photocopy of your ID (front and back), to Banque de France.

The document you receive will state which file you are on (FICP or FCC), who requested the listing, and the reason for it.

How to Clear Your Name and Fix Bad Credit in France

Now for the most important part: getting off the list. The process is straightforward but requires you to take action. It’s not something that just resolves itself without intervention, unless you wait years for the listing to expire.

Clearing Your Name from the FICP

A standard FICP listing for a payment incident lasts for five years. However, you can get out of it much sooner by clearing the debt.

If you want a removal from the FICP:

1. Identify the Debt: Your Banque de France file will show which creditor (bank or lender) listed you.
2. Pay the Full Amount: Contact the creditor and pay the entire outstanding amount that led to the incident. This includes the missed payments and any associated penalties or interest.
3. Creditor Informs the Banque de France: Once you have paid the debt in full, the creditor must legally request your removal from the FICP. They must do this within two working days.
4. Confirmation of Removal: The Banque de France will then process the removal. A week or so later, check your file to confirm it.

If you filed for over-indebtedness (surendettement), the rules are different, and the listing duration can be up to seven years.

If you are having trouble with paying off debt, we might also have some articles that might help you:

• Debt Snowball Method: Stay Motivated While Crushing Debt
• Debt Avalanche Method: Accelerate Payoff & Save on Interest

Removal from the FCC

An FCC listing for a bounced cheque lasts for five years, while a listing for card misuse lasts for two years. Just like with the FICP, you can get an early removal.

For a bounced cheque, here’s what to do for an FCC Removal :

1. Regularise the Cheque: You have two main options:
   • Pay the recipient of the cheque directly by another means (cash, bank transfer) and get the original bounced cheque back as proof.
   • Deposit sufficient funds into your bank account and ask the bank to block the amount needed to cover the cheque. This proves the funds are now available to cover the re-presented cheque.
2. Provide Proof to Your Bank: Show your bank the proof of payment (the returned cheque or the account block).
3. Bank Requests Removal:Your bank will then inform the Banque de France that you have regularised the situation.
4. Confirmation: The Banque de France will remove you from the FCC.

However, for a card misuse incident, you must regularise your account situation as demanded by the bank to start the removal process.

Prevention is Better Than Cure: Avoiding the Blacklists

Of course, the best way to deal with bad credit in France is to never have it in the first place. To do so, you might want to:

• Budget Carefully: Always know what’s coming in and what’s going out. This helps you avoid overspending.
• Set Up Payment Alerts: Use your banking app to set up alerts for when your balance is low or when a large payment is due.
• Communicate with Your Bank: If you anticipate having trouble making a payment, talk to your bank before it’s due. They may be able to offer a temporary solution.
• Don’t Rely on Cheques: In modern banking, cheques are risky. Use bank transfers or card payments, which are only processed if you have the funds.

Take your financial savvy one step further. Learn how to make debt work for you, not against you.

Your Path to a Financial Fresh Start

Ultimately, facing bad credit in France can feel overwhelming, but it’s a situation you can definitely resolve.

The key is to act decisively. First, understand whether you’re on the FICP or FCC, then proactively contact your creditor to settle the debt.

Remember, these listings are not permanent. By taking these clear, manageable steps, you are not just fixing a temporary problem; you are actively paving the way for your financial fresh start and reclaiming control over your future. It’s entirely within your power to turn things around.

Frequently Asked Questions