Several French media outlets are warning of a crucial period to anticipate for banking users: a blockage of several days of classic interbank transfers is planned for the end-of-year holidays of 2025.

When will the transfers be blocked?

The blocking of standard bank transfers (SEPA) in the euro area is expected to last several days, affecting the processing of transactions, including salaries and pensions.

1. Suspension begins: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
2. Days of complete blockage:
3. Thursday, December 25 (Christmas)
4. Friday, December 26 (Christmas Day, the day the TARGET2 system is closed)
5. Saturday, December 27
6. Sunday, December 28
7. Resumption of operations: Transfers initiated during this period will only be processed from Monday, December 29th in the morning .

In other words, a transfer made after the afternoon of December 24 will not be credited to the beneficiary's account until December 29.

Why this blockage?

This interruption is caused by the temporary closure of the TARGET2 system ( Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross settlement Express Transfer system ).

This platform, managed by the European Central Bank, facilitates the processing of large payments between different banks in the Eurozone. Christmas Day and Boxing Day are officially closed days for this system.

Please note: The TARGET2 system will also be closed on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Transactions initiated on Wednesday, December 31, will only be processed from Friday, January 2, 2026 .

💡 How to Bypass the Interruption?

Fortunately, two types of operations are not affected by this closure:

1. Instant Transfer:
2. This type of transfer goes through another platform, called TIPS ( Target Instant Payment Settlement ), which operates continuously, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week , including holidays.
3. It therefore allows you to transfer money immediately. However, it may sometimes incur a fee depending on your bank.
4. Internal Transfer (Same Bank):
5. Regular transfers between two accounts within the same bank (for example, from one Crédit Agricole account to another Crédit Agricole account) continue to function without interruption.

To receive or send large payments (salaries, invoices, rents) on time, it is therefore essential to plan ahead by sending them before the afternoon of Wednesday, December 24 , or by using instant transfer.