Revolut is doubling down on Europe—this time with a bold move into France. The UK-based digital banking giant has announced a €1 billion expansion plan that will turn Paris into its new Western European headquarters. This strategic shift comes with big ambitions: reshape the future of European banking, grow its French customer base, and deepen its regulatory footprint.
The announcement was made at President Emmanuel Macron’s Choose France summit at the Palace of Versailles, a high-profile event aimed at attracting foreign capital. Revolut’s €1 billion pledge now stands as one of the largest financial sector investments France has seen in over a decade.
Backed by this investment, the company will open a new office in Paris, creating at least 200 new jobs on top of the 300 employees it already has in France. But this isn’t just about new desks and fresh hires—it’s about reimagining Revolut’s European strategy from the ground up.
A Dual-Hub Strategy: Paris Joins Lithuania
Revolut isn’t abandoning its original European banking base in Lithuania. Instead, it’s launching a dual-headquarters model. Lithuania will remain a key hub, while Paris will now oversee operations across France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland, and Portugal. This model offers the agility to operate across different regulatory environments while staying close to customers in the EU’s biggest markets.
With over 55 million customers worldwide and an estimated valuation of up to $48 billion, Revolut has already proven its ability to scale. But now, it’s thinking even bigger.
Chief Growth and Marketing Officer Antoine Le Nel summed up the vision: Revolut wants to become the leading pan-European banking group—offering next-gen financial products to customers across all 30 countries in the European Economic Area.
Why France—and Why Now
The choice to anchor a major part of its European strategy in France is no coincidence. France is currently Revolut’s largest market within the EU, home to 5 million users—1.6 million of whom signed up in 2024 alone. That rapid growth has given Revolut the confidence to project bold goals: hitting 10 million French users by 2026, and 20 million by 2030.
Paris also offers regulatory and political advantages. Revolut is now applying for a French banking license through the country’s financial regulator, ACPR. Although it already operates under a Lithuanian license across the EU, a local license would unlock new regulated products tailored specifically to French consumers.
Those include government-regulated savings accounts like the Livret A, investment tools like the PEA (a tax-advantaged equity savings plan), business loans, mortgages, overdraft services, and even mobile phone plans. The Livret A product alone could disrupt traditional banks, offering French savers a tech-driven alternative with a familiar safety net.
Learning From the Past, Shaping the Future
For CEO Nik Storonsky, the move into France also reflects a broader shift in how Revolut approaches regulation. In the past, the company had avoided pursuing local licenses in some markets. Storonsky has now called that a mistake—one the company is working hard to correct.
Today, Revolut has 10 license applications pending globally, and its recent approvals in the UK and India signal a more proactive, cooperative stance with regulators. The new approach doesn’t just ensure legal compliance—it also opens doors to offer richer, more customised products in each market.
In France, this pivot comes as regulators push for tighter oversight following a rise in fraud and impersonation cases affecting Revolut users. In response, the company is significantly increasing investments in compliance, fraud prevention, and customer protection.
Paris as a Launchpad for European Dominance
France’s government sees Revolut’s expansion as a vote of confidence. Finance Minister Éric Lombard called it a milestone for France’s tech-driven economic agenda and a signal of global trust in the country’s financial ecosystem.
Revolut’s move is more than just a business expansion—it’s a sign of how Europe’s fintech sector is evolving. With regulatory frameworks tightening, customer expectations growing, and traditional banks facing mounting pressure, digital-first challengers like Revolut are no longer on the sidelines. They’re shaping the future.
By embedding deeper into local markets and adapting its model to regulatory realities, Revolut is turning France into a springboard—not just for EU dominance, but possibly for further global expansion.
