If the bank check is today a declining means of payment, more than 1.1 billion transactions were still carried out by check during the year 2021. Still popular for certain types of operations such as the payment of rents and deposits or even for New Year gifts, the bank check retains its usefulness, provided you do not leave it lying around in a drawer for too long.
The same validity period for checks issued in France
Confirmed by the Sapin 2 law of December 2016 on transparency, the fight against corruption and the modernization of economic life, the validity period of the bank check is the same for all banking establishments in France. From its issue date indicated above the signature, a check must be cashed within one year, taking into account the processing time required by the bank. In addition to this one-year period, there are the legal presentation deadlines: 8 days for mainland France and 30 days for overseas departments and territories. A check is therefore valid after its issue for one year and 8 days in mainland France, or one year and 30 days if you reside in the French Overseas Territories.
Validity period: what regulations apply to foreign bank checks?
France still clearly remains the main issuer of checks in Europe, but you may receive one from a foreign bank. In these cases, the legislation remains more or less the same, but the legal presentation deadlines are modulated for greater flexibility. If the check you received is issued to the account of a bank in a European Union country, the collection period increases to one year and 20 days. And in the event that the check comes from a country outside the European Union, you have one year and 70 days to cash it, signed with your bank.
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⋙ Check: is there a minimum amount?
⋙ Can a check be canceled?
⋙ Can we write a check on plain paper?