Banking
France — Banking: Best Banks
No French authority ranks banks, so there is no official list of the best bank for expats. What the law gives you is the right to a bank account (droit au compte): if a bank refuses to open an account, the refusal must be given in writing (a bank that does not reply within 15 days is treated as having refused), and you can ask the Banque de France to designate a bank that must open an account with basic banking services. The Banque de France says the designation is made within one working day of receiving the file (identity document, proof of address and the refusal letter), and it is valid for six months. The right is open to people domiciled in France, French nationals living abroad, and foreign nationals legally resident in another EU member state; a non-French person with only a second home in France may be refused. Check each bank's offer and fees directly.
Key facts
- No French authority ranks banks; compare each bank's offer and fees.
- If a bank refuses to open an account, the refusal must be in writing; no reply within 15 days counts as a refusal.
- The Banque de France can designate a bank to open an account with basic services; the designation is made within one working day of receiving the file and is valid for six months.
- Eligible: people domiciled in France, French nationals living abroad, and foreign nationals legally resident in another EU member state.
- The file needs the refusal letter, an identity document and proof of address.
Timelines
- Banque de France designation: Within 1 working day of a complete file
- Designation validity: 6 months
Common mistakes
- Expecting the right to an account to cover any foreigner abroad — it covers people domiciled in France, French nationals abroad and legal residents of another EU state.