{"id":64027,"date":"2026-04-14T16:14:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T15:14:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/?p=64027"},"modified":"2026-05-07T10:28:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T09:28:00","slug":"open-a-bank-account-in-france-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/blog\/open-a-bank-account-in-france-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to open a bank account in France"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Opening a bank account in France<\/strong> is usually straightforward, but you might need to be in France before you can do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this guide, you&#8217;ll find:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Benefits of opening a French bank account<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eligibility for opening a French bank account<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Documents needed to open a French bank account<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Types of banks in France and how to compare them<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Our recommended option for international students<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"798\" height=\"436\" src=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-4-1.png\" alt=\"Open a bank account in France\" class=\"wp-image-64035\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-4-1.png 798w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-4-1-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-4-1-768x420.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Why you need to have a French bank account<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re an international student in France, <strong>having a French bank account is important<\/strong>. It lets you get paid by your employer, pay rent, sign up for a French phone plan, and pay bills like electricity, gas, water, or internet automatically. You\u2019ll also need it to receive healthcare reimbursements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A French payment card lets you pay for almost everything, so you won\u2019t need to carry much cash. More people and businesses in France are choosing to <a href=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/blog\/going-cashless-in-france-best-methods-tips\/\"><strong>go cashless<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Who can open a bank account in France?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">French law allows <strong>anyone who lives in France<\/strong> legally, including international students, to open a bank account. All residents have the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.banque-france.fr\/en\/node\/2534\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">right to access a French bank account<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><strong>What you need to open a bank account in France<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To open a bank account in France, you\u2019ll need to provide a few documents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Valid ID:<\/strong> You must present an official form of identification that includes a photograph, such as your passport.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Address:<\/strong> You\u2019ll also need proof of your address. Most banks accept your latest electricity bill as proof.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Signature: <\/strong>You\u2019ll need to provide your signature, which the bank will record. Most banks now use tablets to collect your digital signature.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some banks might ask for extra documents, depending on your situation. For example, you could be asked for your student visa, residence permit, or enrollment certificate to prove your student status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some banks also ask for an initial deposit to open your account. This amount usually ranges from \u20ac10 to \u20ac50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><strong>Major banks in France<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many banks in France, including large national banks, smaller local banks, and online or mobile banks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These banks fall into three main categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Traditional banks <\/strong>are large, well-known banks in France, such as BNP Paribas or Cr\u00e9dit Agricole. They have physical branches and staff you can meet in person. They offer many services, but usually charge higher fees and are less flexible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Online banks <\/strong>don\u2019t have physical branches, but are often owned by big banking groups. For example, Hello bank! is part of BNP Paribas, and BforBank belongs to Cr\u00e9dit Agricole. They usually have low or no fees, but all support is online or by phone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Neo banks <\/strong>are mobile-focused and aim for simplicity and speed. They offer basic services like payments, withdrawals, transfers, and currency exchange, often with low or no fees, even for international use. Support is usually by email or in-app chat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the main banks you\u2019ll find in France:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-regular\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Traditional banks \ud83c\udfe6<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Online banks \ud83d\udcbb<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Neo banks \ud83d\udcf1<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cr\u00e9dit Agricole<\/td><td>BoursoBank<\/td><td>Wise<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>BNP Paribas<\/td><td>Fortuneo<\/td><td>Revolut<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 G\u00e9n\u00e9rale<\/td><td>Hello bank!<\/td><td>N26<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Banque Populaire<\/td><td>BforBank<\/td><td>Lydia<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Caisse d\u2019\u00c9pargne<\/td><td>Monabanq<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Le Cr\u00e9dit Lyonnais<\/td><td>ING Direct<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cr\u00e9dit Industriel et Commercial<\/td><td><\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>La Banque Postale<\/td><td><\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cr\u00e9dit Mutuel<\/td><td><\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to choose the right bank in France<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The right bank for you depends on your needs and how long you\u2019ll stay in France. Here are a few things to think about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Length of stay:<\/strong> If you\u2019re only in France for a short time, you might prefer an online or neo bank with easy signup and fewer requirements. If you\u2019re staying longer, a traditional bank could be helpful for in-person support.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Language support:<\/strong> Some banks provide documents and customer service in English, which is helpful if you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/blog\/8-useful-phrases-at-the-bank-in-french\/\"><strong>not fluent in French<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fees:<\/strong> Check account maintenance fees, card fees, withdrawal costs, and fees for international transfers. These can vary a lot between banks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accessibility:<\/strong> Think about whether you want to visit physical branches or if you\u2019re comfortable managing your account entirely online or through a mobile app.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Services:<\/strong> Consider which services you really need, like being able to convert currencies within your account or easily receive international transfers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To make things easier, you can use the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quechoisir.org\/comparateur-banque-n21203\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bank comparison tool from Que Choisir<\/a><\/strong>, a French consumer group. Their tool lets you compare fees, services, and conditions at different banks, so you can find the best option for your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019ve also created a <strong>quick comparison table<\/strong> to help you decide what\u2019s best for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Traditional banks \ud83c\udfe6<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Online banks \ud83d\udcbb<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Neo banks \ud83d\udcf1<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Physical branch<\/strong><\/td><td>\u2705 Yes<\/td><td>\u274c No<\/td><td>\u274c No<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Fees<\/strong><\/td><td>\u274c High<\/td><td>\u2705 Low<\/td><td>\u2705 Very low<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Human advisor<\/strong><\/td><td>\u2705 Yes<\/td><td>\u26a0\ufe0f Limited<\/td><td>\u274c No<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Mobile experience<\/strong><\/td><td>\u2705 Good<\/td><td>\u2705 Good<\/td><td>\u2b50 Excellent<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Services<\/strong><\/td><td>\u2b50 Full<\/td><td>\ud83d\udc4d Good<\/td><td>\u26a0\ufe0f Basic<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"798\" height=\"436\" src=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-2.png\" alt=\"Open a bank account in France\" class=\"wp-image-64002\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-2.png 798w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-2-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-2-768x420.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Open a bank account with Wise<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Go! Go! France, we suggest our students start by opening a bank account with Wise. Our team uses Wise as well, and we\u2019re very happy with their service. We\u2019ve recommended Wise to hundreds of students through all our businesses, and we\u2019ve only received positive feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a <strong>Wise multi-currency account<\/strong>, you can get started right away in France. You\u2019ll be able to hold euros, use their debit card to pay for things, and easily transfer money for rent, tuition, or living expenses from your home currency. You\u2019ll also get a European IBAN and BIC, which are often needed for transactions and paperwork in France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/wise.prf.hn\/l\/eYm1G1n\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apply for an account here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Opening a bank account in France is usually straightforward, but you might need to be in France before you can do it. In this guide, you&#8217;ll find: Why you need to have a French bank account If you\u2019re an international student in France, having a French bank account is important. It lets you get paid [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":119,"featured_media":64014,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1637],"tags":[1549],"class_list":["post-64027","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-helpful-guides","tag-bank"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64027","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/119"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64027"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64027\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87702,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64027\/revisions\/87702"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64027"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64027"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64027"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}