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Opening a French Bank Account

You may open an account with a bank by post from abroad. However, it's best to open an account in person, because it's quicker and because you then establish a personal contact at the bank.

You will need to provide [Ilfaudra vous munir]:

• an official identity document or valid passport [de votre carte nationale d'identite ou passeport en cours de validite]
• proof of your address in France, such as a telephone or electricity bill less than three months old [d'un justificatif de domicile - facture de telephone fixe ou d'electricite de mains de 3 mois par exemple]
• recent written proof of income, if you wish to domicile your revenues in France [d'un justificatif de revenus recent - si vous souhaitez domicilier vos revenus]
• a deposit to start your account [d'un depot pour activer le compte}.

A bank account is considered to be a contract, so the bank must explain the conditions of it, including all relevant charges. If you open a current account [compte courant] you most likely will want a cheque book [chequier], because cheques are a much-used means of non-cash payment. Note that an overdraft facility [decouvert] requires prior approval. If you issue a cheque on insufficient funds, you risk loss of the right to use cheques for five years.