by Joy Willy

Created on: November 20, 2011   Last Updated: November 21, 2011

Whether you are a resident or non resident, opening a French bank account is not a complicated process. Having a bank account is important for anyone who earns a living or even has money that has to be kept safely away in a bank.

If you are working in France it only makes sense for you to open up an account where you can manage your money. In France most of the bills are paid via banks by direct deposits; most landlords will want to be paid via the direct deposit system other than other means such as cash, cheques among others.

In France, most service providers prefer to be able to debit a French bank account. This is also applicable when paying for utilities that is why it is an advantage for you to have a French bank account when living in France. The following guide will show you how to open up a French bank account.

1. Choose the bank

There are many banks in France just like any other country. If you are familiar with the big banking brands such as Barclay's Bank find out if there is a branch in France and open up an account with them.

It will be much easier for you to deal with a bank that you are familiar with back home than try out a new bank that you may not be able to fully understand its services especially if you don't speak or read french.

If your preferred banking brand is not available in France, then you need to do some research and find out which is the biggest bank in France and what kind of services they offer and open up an account with them if you are satisfied with their services. Banks such as BNP Paribas among others that are some of the largest banking institution in France.

2. Documents that you will need to open up a French bank account

After you have chosen the bank that you want to open an account in, you need to take a proof of identity such as your passport and also a proof of address in France. If you are a non European Union resident, then you have to show your resident permit which is also known as titre. Take your driving license, your rental property contract and any other identification documents that you have.

3. Find out  about the procedure of opening up an account

The next step for you to take is to go to the bank and find out more about the requirements needed for one to open up a French bank account. Most banks are open by 08:30 AM however most banks open up at 09:00 AM. The banks close as late as 17:00 PM while some are open on Saturdays in case you fail to make it to the bank during the week.

4. Find out the

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