When you arrive in France, you will need to open a bank account for day-to-day formalities such as making international money transfers, withdrawing cash or paying your rent.

Opening a bank account

You can open a bank account at any bank. To find the list of the nearest banks you may visit the Pages Jaunes.

What you need to know

The BNP PARIBAS bank and the HSBC bank are available on the ITER site. 

BNP Paribas:

An agency is located in Building 72, room 1014 (ground floor)
Opening hours are from Monday to Friday 09.00 — 11.30 and 12.30 — 17.30
In order to make an appointment, please contact BNP directly on 04 42 17 22 00.
For General questions, no appointments are required from 12:30 – 14:30.

HSBC:

Thursdays from 11:00 until 14:00 in Meeting Room 72/2103.
Contact person:
Corinne DURANDEAU
ASSISTANTE COMMERCIALE PART.
10 Place Jeanne d’Arc 13617 Aix en Provence Cedex 1
Telephone: 0442160825
corinne.durandeau@hsbc.fr
https://www.hsbc.fr

Payment options

Check (“chèque bancaire” or “chèque postal”)

You have to ask for a checkbook when you open a bank account. You will receive your checkbook within 15 days.

Make sure that your account always has a positive balance. If you write a check while having a negative balance on your account, charges will be debited from your account and the bank may seize your checkbook.

To fight against theft, storekeepers usually ask for an ID before accepting your check.

Bank card

In France, bank cards usually are debit cards which enable you to pay for your purchases, check your account balance, and withdraw cash at ATMs.

A bank card is provided with a secret PIN code which you must remember.

The annual bank card fee varies depending on the type of card and the bank.

Please note that credit cards do not exist (or seldom) in France. Thus, make sure that your account always has a positive balance.

Cash

With your bank card, you can withdraw cash (10-euro, 20-euro, 50-euro, 100-euro, 200-euro or 500-euro bills). Thus, you can pay for everyday purchases without using your checkbook or debit card.

Bank documents

Relevé d’Identité Bancaire (RIB)

In France, the RIB is a document issued by your bank which shows your banking details (account number, personal address…). For instance, you need it to get your salary transferred to your bank account or to get your medical expenses reimbursed. Usually, there is one RIB in every checkbook.

You can get several RIBs at your bank counter, using an ATM, or online.

Bank statement (“relevé de compte”)

Usually, bank statements are sent to you on a regular basis. They show all banking operations carried out on your bank account. It also tells you the available balance at the time the bank statement is issued.

Exchange

Upon your arrival in France, you will find foreign exchange offices in international airports and train stations. We recommend that you change currencies at a bank counter by ordering currencies in advance.