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Banking in France

For a list of banks please click on the 'Banking in France' tab located above.

To open a French bank account is not difficult to do but you will need the following documentation:

• Passports for the account holders
• Proof of French Address: one utility bill (telephone bills not accepted)
• Proof of earnings or status: Contract of Employment/pay slips/proof of status
• UK bank account statement
• In some banks: birth/marriage certificate

You will receive a cheque book and if you wish, a debit card (carte bancaire or carte bleue), which has a yearly charge. They will normally arrive in a week to ten days but you need to clarify whether they you will have to go to your local branch to collect them (for security reasons) or whether they will be sent to your home address. It is important to know that in France it is offence to write a cheque in payment without the funds being available in the account to cover the cheque amount.

It is possible to open accounts in joint names so both of the named account holders can sign the cheque.

Overdrafts and internet banking services are also available.

Can I use a UK Business Bank account for a French business?

This is a possibility but it is advisable to have bank accounts in both France and the UK.

Click here to Ask an Expert about Banking in France