The major French banks are:

The Credit Agricole, the largest bank in France, runs a relocation service for U.K. residents moving to France, called Britline.

Opening an account

A foreigner may open bank account in France if they are (or are going to be) residing in France for at least three months.

To open an account, you need:

  • E.U. citizens: proof of identity (a valid passport or ID card)
  • Non-EU citizens: proof of residence (Carte de séjour)
  • Proof of your French address: a utility bill, rental agreement or property deeds
  • Proof of earnings or status: Contract of employment/proof of earnings/proof of status (a student card, for example)
  • Reference: from other banks where accounts are held (this is usually only required for loans and overdrafts)
  • In some cases, a birth certificate

Opening an account can be done in one day and methods of making payments (cash cards and cheque books) will usually arrive within a week to ten days of the account being opened.

Accounts may be held in joint names.

  • Note that an account held by two parties will have the words “et” or “ou” between the names. In the case of an account held in the names M et Mme Xyz, both account holders must sign a cheque, while in the case of an account in the name M ou Mme Xyz, either account holder may sign.

French banks will charge for certain items, for example in some a fee is payable to have an account, there’s a fee to have a card (and second card), there may be a charge for the internet banking facility and for transactions in certain banks.

Using a French Bank Account

Depending on the type of account chosen you will receive a cheque book and payment and cash withdrawal card (the carte bleue - or “blue card”).

Reading and writing numbers in France

When writing or reading French numbers, it is important to know the placement of points and commas.

  • A point marks the thousands, while a comma separates the cents: one thousand Euro is written €1.000,00 (mille euros)
  • A comma marks the fractions in a percentage: fifty-two point six percent is written 52,6% (cinquante deux virgule six pourcent)

Card Payments

  • Card payments by carte bleue are accepted in most places in France. Payment is made using the PIN code; signatures may be requested over a certain amount.
  • Look for the CB (carte bleue) Visa or MasterCard symbol.
  • Note that the the CB is a debit not a credit card.
  • Cash machines, ATMs (distributeurs) are easy to find in most towns and villages and are straightforward to use, (being much the same as elsewhere in the world): enter your card and follow the text instructions. Many machines allow for the option to select English-language text.
  • If you are travelling outside the department where the account is held you will be restricted as to the services available, speak to your branch to make arrangements.

Cheques

When paying by cheque you may be asked to show photographic ID (for example passport or driving licence).

Paying by personal cheque does not incur additional charges in France; however, you will pay a fee to use a bankers draft (Chèque de Banque).

Cheques are accepted as a cash payment. French law makes a cheque equivalent to cash; it is therefore illegal to write a cheque if you do not have the funds in the account to cover the payment. A cheque can only be cancelled if it is lost, stolen or if there is a suspicion of fraud. If you do write a cheque that the bank cannot pay, they are obliged to report it to France’s national banking authority, the Bank de France, who can impose an interdit bancaire which forbids you from using cheques for five years.Note: It is illegal to write a post-dated or open-dated cheque.

Always write your account number, bank code and signature on the back of a cheque before depositing it.

When you are nearing the end of your chequebook the bank will send you another one if you have filled in a form for automatic renewal. Note that you will be charged the postal fees for registered delivery. Renewal can also be made by filling in the form provided in your chequebook. Collection can be made at your branch.

RIB: Relevé d’Identité Bancaire

On opening an account, the bank will give you several copies of RIB (Relevé d’Identité Bancaire). This is a form which establishes your bank references and account details and identity. It contains the numéro de compte (account number) the code de l’établissement (bank code) and the code du guichet (sort code).

RIBs are requested when you set up regular contract payments by automatic debit on your account (prélèvement automatique) for example, for the payment of utilities. RIBs are also used when setting up automatic payments into your account, for example Social Security, Family Allowance benefits or salaries.

A RIB is also necessary when taking out a contract where monthly payments by TIP (see below) are required.

You will find about three printed RIBs in the back of your cheque book. You can also get a printout of a RIB from a cash machine, or via your internet banking facility.

TIP: Titre Interbancaire de Paiement

A TIP (Titre Interbancaire de Paiement) is the authorised permission to debit your account of the sum asked for by the provider (for example EDF, France Telecom or the Tax Department).

The TIP replaces the use of a cheque, and comes attached to the bottom of the invoice (facture). The first time you receive it you will need to sign it and enclose a RIB in the envelope provided. Your next invoice will automatically have all the bank information printed on the TIP and you simply have to sign, date it and send it off.