🇫🇷 France · Business Banking
Opening business and personal bank accounts, remote options, required documents, and fees.
Quick answer
France's banking includes large retail banks and growing online banks. Opening an account usually needs ID, proof of address and a residence status; a French account is often required for rent and utilities. The Banque de France oversees the system.
France has no single account-opening registry; banks are supervised by the ACPR, attached to the Banque de France. New companies deposit share capital in a dedicated account at formation, and a statutory "right to an account" applies if a business is refused.
- A capital-deposit account is required to register most companies; the bank issues a deposit certificate used in the formation file.
- France is part of the SEPA area; both traditional banks and licensed e-money/payment institutions can serve businesses.
- If a company is refused an account, it can invoke the "droit au compte" through the Banque de France.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose a bank
Pick a large retail bank or an online bank (Boursorama, Fortuneo, N26, Revolut); some, such as Compte-Nickel, open an account with an ID only, without proof of address.
- 2
Gather your documents
Have a valid ID (passport or residence card) and proof of address (justificatif de domicile) dated within the last three months.
- 3
Know your right to an account (droit au compte)
Anyone residing in France has a legal right to a basic account regardless of their situation; if refused, the Banque de France designates a bank (its designation letter is valid six months), and the basic service (card, transfers, statements, RIB) is free.
- 4
Prepare business documents (business accounts)
For a business account, prepare the K-bis extract and director ID.
- 5
Complete identity and KYC checks
Banks run know-your-customer and anti-money-laundering checks before opening the account.
- 6
Activate the account and set up SEPA payments
Receive your RIB / IBAN and card, then set up salary, rent and direct debits (prélèvement) across the SEPA area.
Checklist
- Valid ID (passport or residence card)
- Proof of address (justificatif de domicile) dated within 3 months
- Residence status (if applicable)
- K-bis extract + director ID — business accounts
- Banque de France designation letter (if using droit au compte)
- Initial deposit (if required by the bank)
Official authorities
- Banque de France
Central bank; administers the right-to-an-account procedure.
- ACPR
Prudential supervisor of banks and payment institutions.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to open a French bank account?
Typically ID, proof of a French address, and often proof of residence or activity; requirements vary by bank.
Do I need a French account to live in France?
It is strongly advisable — rent, utilities and salaries usually run through a French account (with a RIB).
Are online banks available?
Yes — several online banks offer accounts with lighter branch requirements, subject to eligibility.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Government of France — Office of the French Prime Minister — government policies, ministers, and key legislation
- France Public Services (Service-Public) — France's unified administrative services — residence permits, taxes, social security, civil records
- French General Tax Directorate (DGFiP) — French income tax, VAT, wealth tax filing; tax residency determination; French tax number (NIF) application