Can I pay a UK cheque into my French bank account?

Reader question: Can I pay a sterling cheque (from a UK insurance company) into my Crédit Agricole bank account in France? I do not have a UK account and the insurance company only sends out sterling cheques.

Yes, you can pay a cheque in sterling into your French bank account but there may be significant fees and the cheque may take a while to clear.

We spoke to a number of banks to find out how to go about it.

You will certainly have to go to your own branch physically to fill in a form with your adviser.

Your bank is likely to charge fees and some banks charge both a fixed fee and a percentage of the amount paid in.

If you are unable to visit your branch, you may be able to pay in the cheque by post.

We spoke to a local Crédit Agricole branch in the Ile-de-France, which said this might be possible and the matter should be discussed with your bank adviser. In this case, the bank said the forms could be sent by email.

Given the fees charged and the possible delay before receiving your money, it would be preferable to transfer the funds from the UK electronically if at all possible.

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