Opening a Bank Account in France

Who this is for

Key tradeoffs

Important considerations that affect most people in this situation.

Common requirements

French banks have consistent documentation expectations. Missing even one item typically means rescheduling your appointment.

• Valid passport — original plus copies. EU citizens can often use national ID cards. Non-EU citizens bring passport with visa
• Visa or titre de séjour (residence permit) — for non-EU citizens, proof of legal right to reside in France. Some banks accept the visa in your passport; others want the carte de séjour
• Proof of French address (justificatif de domicile) — utility bill, rental contract, or attestation d'hébergement from someone hosting you. Must be recent (within 3 months)
• Proof of income — employment contract, pay stubs, tax returns, or proof of pension/investment income. French banks want to understand your financial situation
• Initial deposit — amounts vary by bank, but expect €50-300 for account opening
• French phone number — required for 2FA and notifications. Getting a French SIM is straightforward
• RIB (Relevé d'Identité Bancaire) — not for opening, but you'll receive this. It's the French bank account identifier used for payments and transfers

Types of banks commonly used

French banking includes traditional giants, their online subsidiaries, and international digital options. Each serves different needs.

• Major traditional banks (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, LCL, La Banque Postale) — extensive branch networks, full services including mortgages and loans, checkbooks (still relevant in France). Monthly fees €2-15. In-person account opening
• Online banks (Boursorama, Fortuneo, Hello bank!, Monabanq) — lower or no monthly fees, good mobile apps. Often require existing French bank account or French income to open. Better suited as second accounts
• La Banque Postale — operated through post offices. Sometimes more accessible for newcomers with limited documentation. Widespread branches even in small towns
• International digital banks (N26, Revolut, Wise) — quick setup, no French address required for basic accounts. German IBAN (N26) or non-French IBANs (others). May not satisfy French-specific requirements for salary, rent, or CAF benefits
• Neo-banks (Lydia, Shine) — modern French fintechs. Shine targets freelancers and micro-entrepreneurs. Lydia started as payment app, now offers accounts

Typical process

French bank account opening typically happens in person at a branch. Online-only options exist but have limitations for newcomers.

• Book an appointment (rendez-vous) at your chosen bank. Walk-ins are sometimes possible but appointments are preferred and may be required
• Gather all documentation before your appointment. French banks rarely proceed with incomplete files. Call ahead to confirm specific requirements
• Appointment takes 30-60 minutes. You'll review account types, fees, and sign contracts. Everything is in French—bring a translator if needed for complex discussions
• Some banks conduct a review period after the appointment before activating accounts. This can take a few days to a week
• You'll receive your RIB (bank details) and online banking access. Physical card (Carte Bancaire) arrives by mail within 1-2 weeks
• Checkbooks are common in France. Your bank may offer one automatically. They're used for some rent payments, security deposits, and administrative fees
• Activation of online banking often requires separate steps—receiving codes by mail, downloading apps, setting up 2FA

Where people get stuck

These friction points cause delays. Planning around them saves considerable frustration.

• Proof of address catch-22 — you can't get utilities without an account; banks want utility bills. Solutions: rental contract as proof, attestation d'hébergement from host, or La Banque Postale which is sometimes more flexible
• Income verification — French banks want to know your income source. Employment contract works. Self-employed or remote workers may face more questions. Prepare tax returns, client contracts, or bank statements showing regular income
• Language barriers — most banking is conducted in French. Staff in Paris and major cities may speak English, but don't assume. Bring a French-speaking friend or translator for important appointments
• Non-EU visa scrutiny — banks check that your visa permits extended stay. Tourist visas won't work. Long-stay visas (VLS-TS) and titres de séjour do. Some banks wait until you have the actual card rather than accepting the visa vignette
• Account refusals — French banks can refuse to open accounts. The 'right to account' (droit au compte) through Banque de France exists but is a bureaucratic process. If refused, try another bank before invoking this right
• Dossier mentality — French administration values complete files. Partial documentation means delays. Prepare everything, organized, with copies

Using international digital banks

Digital banks offer faster setup but may not replace traditional French accounts for all purposes.

• N26 — German bank, German IBAN. Works for basic banking in France but some French systems (CAF benefits, certain employers) specifically require French IBANs
• Revolut — Lithuanian IBAN for Euro accounts. Good for spending and transfers. Not a replacement for French banking infrastructure
• Wise — multi-currency account with Belgian IBAN. Strong for international transfers. Limited as primary French account
• Boursorama (online, French) — proper French bank with French IBAN. Lower fees than traditional banks. But often requires existing French banking relationship or French income proof to open
• Practical approach — many expats use an international digital bank immediately upon arrival, then add a traditional French bank once they have proper documentation. Eventually, the French account becomes primary for local needs
• CAF and government benefits — French social benefits (CAF, healthcare reimbursements) typically require French RIBs. International bank IBANs often don't work for these systems

Regional differences

Banking experience varies between Paris and the rest of France.

• Paris — more banks, more competition, more English-speaking staff. But also more demand and sometimes stricter requirements. Some Paris branches are more familiar with expat documentation
• Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux — major cities with good banking infrastructure. Less English than Paris but manageable. University cities may have staff experienced with international clients
• Smaller cities and towns — fewer options, French language essential. Crédit Agricole and La Banque Postale have the widest reach. Staff may be less familiar with non-standard situations
• Branch variation — even within the same bank, branches vary. If one branch is difficult, another may be more accommodating. Asking the local expat community for branch recommendations can help

Next steps

Continue your research with these related guides.