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Opening a Bank Account in France: The Complete Guide
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When you've just arrived in France, opening a bank account is one of the very first things to sort out. Rent, salary, your phone plan, and even CAF benefits almost all run through a French account number (RIB). This guide walks you through how to open an account as a foreigner, step by step — especially handy when you're settling in for the first time. (Updated June 2026.)
Why a French bank account is essential
In France, your salary, rent payments, automatic debits (prélèvement automatique — phone, electricity, internet), and public benefits such as those from the CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales, the family benefits office) almost all rely on a French account number (RIB). A foreign account or international card alone will get you stuck fast, so it's best to open an account in your first days.
Types of accounts: traditional bank vs. online bank
Traditional bank (banque traditionnelle): BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, La Banque Postale… You can speak with an advisor in a branch, and these banks are used to first-time accounts for foreigners. In return, account-keeping fees often apply.
Online bank / neobank (néobanque): BoursoBank, Revolut, N26… You can apply in 5 minutes from an app, and the basic plan is free or cheap. The downside: there's no branch, so everything goes through the app and the post.
For a first account, go with one that gives you a French IBAN (starting with FR). Receiving your salary and benefits will be far smoother.
Documents you'll need
It varies by bank, but you'll usually be asked for:
a valid ID: passport or residence permit (titre de séjour) / visa
a proof of address (justificatif de domicile) less than 3 months old
proof of your status: visa, residence permit, school enrollment certificate, or work contract
a signature specimen (spécimen de signature)
sometimes a small initial deposit
Accepted proofs of address: electricity, gas, or internet bill (under 3 months), rent receipt (quittance de loyer), lease agreement.
If you're staying with a friend or relative, a proof-of-accommodation letter (attestation d'hébergement) along with the host's ID and their own proof of address works. In CROUS student housing, the CROUS contract or residence certificate is accepted as is.
Which bank to choose
JARI's take: an online bank is more than enough. You don't need a traditional bank — it's expensive for nothing. And even with branch banks, the procedures are slow, so you might as well do everything online. Our two recommendations:
Boursorama: a free online bank and a subsidiary of Société Générale. It often offers the best products and the best loan rates, and stays very reliable, even for an online bank.
Revolut: an excellent bank too, with a really well-designed interface. If you buy and sell stocks, everything is centralized in one place — same for crypto. You can also manage several currencies (USD, GBP…) from a single account.
There are other very good banks, but these are the two we recommend.
The process and timelines
Online bank: download the app → photograph your documents → verify your identity (selfie/video) → your card arrives by post within a few days. Traditional bank: book a branch appointment (rendez-vous) → submit your file → the account is opened and your RIB issued → the card and chequebook (chéquier) usually arrive within 1 to 2 weeks. Once the account is open, you receive your RIB (relevé d'identité bancaire, a document with your account details): that's what you hand to your employer, the CAF, or for setting up direct debits.
If you're refused: the right to an account (droit au compte)
A bank may legally refuse to open an account. But even then, there's a solution: the right to an account (droit au compte). With the refusal letter (lettre de refus), you apply to the Banque de France, which within 1 business day designates a bank required to open an account for you. That bank must open it within 3 business days, and both the procedure and the basic banking services (services bancaires de base) are free. Required documents: the refusal letter, a valid ID, a proof of address under 3 months old, and a sworn statement (attestation sur l'honneur) declaring you have no other deposit account in France.
FAQ
Can I open an account before getting my visa or residence permit? Neobanks often allow it with just a passport. Traditional banks and some services, however, may require a residence permit or visa.
Do I need to speak French? Online-bank apps like Revolut or N26 are available in English. In a branch, French may be needed — ask in advance whether an English-speaking advisor is available.
Can I have several accounts? Yes, no problem. However, the account opened through the right to an account can only be requested if you have no other deposit account.
Does opening cost money? Opening itself is usually free. Only the card type and account-keeping fees affect the cost.
Official resources
useful links
- On JARI: Expert services · Community
- Read next: Residence permit · Student housing · Auto-entrepreneur
- Official: service-public.fr
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