Openning a local bank account

Opening a French bank account is a pre-requisite to carrying out everyday transactions (receiving your salary, paying rent and bills, shopping, etc.).

To open an individual or joint bank account, you will need to present a valid photo identification and proof of address in France.

You may be asked to provide any of the following documents:

• Passport, and Residence permit
• Proof of address (an electricity, gas, water or landline bill, or a declaration that you are being housed free of charge signed by the person providing you with accommodation, together with a copy of one of their bills and their photo ID)
• Proof of income: pay slip or tax notice
• Foreign tax identification number

If a bank rejects your application to open an account, it must provide grounds for its decision. In such cases, you may appeal to the Banque de France, which will assign you a bank.

You will find below a list of banks available in the Alpes-Maritimes:

Banque Populaire, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Caisse d’Epargne, CIC, Crédit Agricole, Crédit Mutuel, HSBC, La Banque Postale, LCL, Société Générale.