I will be attending language school in Nice, and the apartment requires the one month rent in cash euros (2550) on the first day as payment.
Is it possible to go into a French bank with my debit card to withdraw this sum when I am there? I think the ATM's have a limit per withdrawl.
Help!
only if you have an account at the bank
It's true that some ATMs have a max withdrawal limit, but if you have your bank set a high daily rate for your account you can go from ATM to ATM until you get the whole sum or max out your daily limit. That's what I did, although my apt was only €1500 (that was back in 2012) so I only had to make 3 withdrawals of €500. In your case needing that amount in cash when you arrive I think I would get the euros here before I left and just keep that money safe in a money belt. Just get a few big bills so it's easier to protect.
The legal limit for cash transactions is 1000€ unless it's between individuals ie between you and a private landlord. If it's the language school asking for cash it's illegal. Likewise if the apartment is a business .
It's why you'll struggle to get that amount together in cash
This might help explain things
https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/what-are-limits-for-cash-payments-in-france-and-why-this-may-change/665301
Way too much cash for me. Legitimate landlord/busniess should have a better system! Two kids selling lemonade near me had a Venmo accepted sign. You are two vulnerable in another country with that much cash. Brad
Surely you are not the first person with this conundrum. Doesn't the school
offer any other payment options? I mean, everyone coming to a language
school is (more or less) by definition coming from a different country and
won't have a French bank account.
I've used Wise, which is one of multiple international Venmo/Paypal type
payment systems, to pay small business owners in France who don't want
the overhead of credit cards. The recipient gets Euros deposited into their
account with no fees, and you pay minimal fees compared to using a major
bank.
I suppose the other alternative is to get the Euros from your US bank before
you leave, but there may be a non-trivial cost to that, and then you're carrying
them a much longer distance/time.
I know others are cautious, and it isn't a value one wants to lose, but you wouldn't be the first to take at least some of in in cash that you exchanged at home.
I remember 40 years ago when a wallet often had several hundred dollars in it, as pocket cash.
Use a money belt for deep storage.
You won't have a blinking sign over your head bringing attention to your cash on hand and the chances of being picked out is no more than if your pockets were empty.
I have had to brazen it out a few times and come out fine.
Alternatively, there are global banks and there are at least half a dozen with US and global branches. I recall my sister, a global traveler and worker 30 years ago using HSBC. Open an account in a global bank, making note of what the maximum daily withdrawl is for in person and ATM, withdraw from ATM on your current bank and then any shortfall take in Euros from home.
You could look at Wise and see if you can collect it in cash upon arrival in Europe. It has a number of layers to it, so look a little deeper.
Sounds like they're tax days dodging, so actually attempting to break two laws. Are you sure the college and course are legitimate?
I routinely bring and carry several hundred Euros in cash to pay my B&B hosts (these are real B&Bs, not so-called "airbnbs"). It helps the host with their burdensome taxes, and I personally like the people. But I have never stayed one month at one place.
If you really need that kind of money on arrival then you are best to get it at home and carry it. It is not a big enough amount to trigger legal restrictions on carrying cash. Have it in largeish bills and carry it in a money belt under your clothes. I have had to do that a couple times -- once got paid in cash for work I did in Singapore and that is how I got it home -- hate doing it, but sometimes it is the only real option.
Maybe I’m mistaken, but it sounds like she/he needs the cash to pay for the lodging costs and it is independent of the language school.
I brought 2100 Euro on me, none of it stashed away in the carry-on or the checked in spinner.
One thousand went to pay for a 10 day stay in this 2 star hotel in Paris, (that was agreed upon ie, cash). The rest went for another bargain rate 3 star place in Metz, and the Germany part of the trip, still it was not enough. I would suggest getting all of this from your US bank, which you means you will be carrying all that cash on your person or in the luggage. No problem for me at all.
I have a simple rule for carrying cash. I only carry as much as I can afford to lose.
