Unclaimed Money in France
France holds €7.87 billion in unclaimed savings through Ciclade, the official portal operated by Caisse des Dépôts (CDC). Under the Eckert Law of 2014, banks and insurers are legally required to transfer inactive accounts and unclaimed contracts to the CDC after a set period. The money waits there indefinitely — but with one important catch: after 30 years of total inactivity, funds are permanently transferred to the French State and cannot be recovered.
In 2025 alone, Ciclade returned €164 million to 174,000 claimants, with an average payout of €943 per case. If you or a family member have ever lived or worked in France, held a French bank account, or taken out French life insurance, it's worth checking.
What Ciclade Covers
Dormant Bank Accounts
Current accounts, savings accounts, and livrets (tax-free savings books like Livret A, LDD, LEP) that have had no customer-initiated activity for 10 years. Includes accounts from Ma French Bank, Orange Bank, and UFFB, which ceased operations.
Life Insurance Contracts
Unclaimed life insurance (assurance vie) and provident contracts where the insurer has been unable to contact the beneficiary. Life insurance is the single largest category of unclaimed money in France.
Employee Savings Plans
PEE (Plan d'Épargne Entreprise), PERCO, and PEROB employee savings plans from former employers. Very commonly forgotten when changing jobs.
Capitalisation Bonds
Bons de capitalisation (bearer bonds) that were never cashed. These can date back many decades and may belong to heirs of deceased relatives.
How to Search Ciclade
Go to ciclade.caissedesdepots.fr and click "Lancer ma recherche" (Start my search). Enter your surname and first name — the search is immediate and shows whether any funds are held in your name. If you get a match, you'll need to create a free personal account ("Mon espace") to view the details and submit your claim online.
To claim you'll need: a valid government-issued photo ID (passport or national identity card) and documents proving your connection to the account (old bank statements, insurance policy documents, or proof of address at the time). Claims for deceased relatives require a death certificate and proof of inheritance rights.
The 30-Year Limit — Act Now
This is the most important thing to know about French unclaimed money: the déchéance trentenaire (30-year expiration rule) means that once 30 years have passed since the last customer-initiated activity on an account, the funds are permanently transferred to the French State. In 2025, €89 million was lost this way. If you think an account may be old, search immediately — this deadline cannot be extended.
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