Opening a bank account in France as an expat? Language barriers, proof of residence and refusals stop many. We open yours through our CCF partnership.
You already have a bank account at home. Maybe a few credit cards that work abroad, maybe some savings put aside.
That can carry you for a while. Sooner or later, though, you’ll need to put bills in your name, receive your salary, sign up for healthcare and use other services that require a French account.
Then comes the question every expat hears: “Can I have your RIB?” A RIB (relevé d’identité bancaire) is the sheet with your French bank details. When someone asks, you’ll have yours ready.
Frustrated woman holding her head at a laptop, struggling with opening a bank account in France.
For many expats, this is the hardest step of the move. Three problems come up again and again.
If your French is still a work in progress, talking to a banker about opening your account is hard. So is translating the online forms. France has many international banks, but most of their forms and websites are in French only and rarely offer a translation.
To prove you live in France, you need a housing contract in your name and utility bills in your name. But you can’t get a housing contract or utility bills in your name without a French bank account. Round and round it goes.
Any legal resident in France is entitled to open a bank account. But many branches turn away clients who don’t have French payslips or an employment contract. Americans face an extra hurdle. Under the US FATCA law, French banks must share information on their US clients’ accounts with the US tax authorities, so some branches simply refuse Americans.
Stuck on any of these? We’ll open your French bank account with you.
We’ve partnered with CCF Bank to make opening your French bank account easy. CCF offers this partnership exclusively to relocation agencies.
The partnership guarantees a smooth process and takes the hassle out of setting up your account. You can even open it before your permanent move, as long as you’re in France when you do. And CCF accepts temporary proof of residence, even from an Airbnb. That breaks the proof-of-residence catch-22. During the account opening, CCF also automatically translates any documents that aren’t yet translated.
Who is CCF?
CCF (Crédit Commercial de France) is a trusted 100-year-old bank. In January 2024, it took over HSBC’s French retail network and returned to the market under the CCF name.
Online banks have grown popular, but CCF, formerly HSBC, is known for its credibility. It has branches across France where you can bank in person. In Paris or in the countryside, CCF gives you the tools and support you need in your new home.
What you get with a CCF account
CCF bank logo, our partner for opening a bank account in France.
Language barriers, the proof-of-residence catch-22 and bank refusals stop many expats from opening a bank account in France. They don’t have to stop you.
Our CCF partnership is open only to relocation agencies, and CCF accepts temporary proof of residence. No catch-22s. Nothing lost in translation. Leave the account setup to us and we’ll take care of everything.
Smiling couple holding up a bank card after opening a French bank account.
Our partnership with CCF is one more way we make your move to France hassle-free.
Open your French bank account with us. Tell us your arrival date and we’ll reply within 48 hours.
What is a RIB and why do I need one?
It’s the document that lists your French bank details. Landlords, employers and utility providers will ask for it, and you’ll need it to sign up for healthcare. You can only get one once you have a French account.
Can I open a French bank account before I move?
Yes. Through our CCF partnership, you can open your account before your permanent move, as long as you’re in France on the day you open it.
Will a temporary address work as proof of residence?
Yes. CCF accepts temporary proof of residence, even from an Airbnb. You don’t need a long-term lease or utility bills in your name to get started.
Why do some banks refuse Americans?
Under the US FATCA law, French banks must share information on their US clients’ accounts with the US tax authorities. Because of this, some branches simply refuse American clients.
I don’t have French payslips. Can a bank still turn me down?
Any legal resident in France is entitled to open a bank account. In practice, many branches still turn away clients without French payslips or an employment contract. This is one of the hurdles we help you get past.
Is CCF the same bank as HSBC?
CCF (Crédit Commercial de France) is a 100-year-old bank. In January 2024, it took over HSBC’s French retail network and returned to the market under the CCF name. It has branches across France where you can bank in person.
Why go through an agency?
CCF offers this partnership exclusively to relocation agencies. That means we can open your French bank account with you through a route that isn’t available if you walk into a branch on your own.
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The French Way is a relocation and expat support agency located in Paris helping expats to make the most out of their relocation to France at any stage of their life. Contact us today and we'll be happy to help!
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