How to open bank account France student guide

Have you just arrived in France for your studies? Welcome! One of your first essential steps will be to open a French bank account. This will be very useful for paying your bills (electricity, phone, rent, transport, internet), receiving a potential salary, and getting your healthcare expenses reimbursed directly.

Are you allowed to open an account?

Yes! As a foreign student residing in France, you have the right to open a bank account in any bank in France. French law guarantees the right to an account.

What are the necessary documents?

To open a bank account in France, three documents are generally required:

1. An identity document: Your passport and your visa or residence permit.
2. Proof of address: A rent receipt, an electricity bill, or a certificate of accommodation if you are hosted.
3. A certificate of school attendance: Or your student card for the current year.

How to choose your bank? (Physical vs Online)

Foreign students are often advised to start by pushing the door of a physical bank branch (LCL, Societe Generale, BNP Paribas). Why? Because upon your arrival, you will not necessarily have all the perfect documents (prior French IBAN) required by online banks.

However, once your physical account is open (and you have your French IBAN in hand), the best strategy is to switch to an online bank like BoursoBank. Physical banks can be expensive (account maintenance fees, foreign withdrawal fees).

The optimal solution: BoursoBank

Once settled, opening a BoursoBank account allows you:

• To pay zero account fees.
• To have a free bank card.
• To manage your account 100% on your phone via a simple application.

By opening your account with the referral code MOME6786, you also benefit from a welcome bonus of up to 160 EUR!

By opening an account, you will be entitled to a bank card, a checkbook (if requested), and above all your French IBAN which will allow you to easily set up automatic direct debits for your various subscriptions.