How to open a bank account in France for British expats

Planning a move to France from the UK? You’re not alone, as the country is a popular destination for expats from the UK. It’s easy to see why, as France is world-class when it comes to culture and cuisine in particular.

If you’ll be living in France for a decent length of time, you might find it useful to have a local bank account. But can a foreigner open a bank account in France, and what’s the process like?

Read on for everything you need to know, as we’ve put together a complete guide to opening a bank account in France as a UK expat. This includes what documents you’ll need and info on the top banks in France.

We’ll also show you a smart alternative to a bank account from the money services provider Wise - the Wise account. Manage your money in 40+ currencies in France, the UK and worldwide and spend on a linked international debit card - all at the mid-market exchange rates for low fees*.

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Moving to France and want to take your savings with you? With Wise, you can send secure and trackable large amount transfers to France and 140+ countries worldwide for low fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

Simply email our expert team or request a call back below.

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Table of contents

How to open a bank account in France as a non-resident? Do you need a bank account in France? Can you use your UK bank account in France? Can you open a bank account in France as a British expat? Can you open a French bank account online as an expat from the UK? Can you open an account as an international student? What documents do you need to open a bank account in France? Proof of identity Proof of address in France Proof of residency status Additional documents Best French bank accounts for expats BNP Paribas Société Générale Credit Agricole Banque Populaire Caisse d'Epargne Digital banks and money management alternatives worth looking into What are the banking fees and costs in France? Is there a free French bank account for non-residents? Wise – An international alternative to a bank account

How to open a bank account in France as a non-resident?

You should find it pretty easy to open a French bank account as a UK national, as long as you have the right documents. It’s a pretty welcoming country to foreigners in many ways, which is partly why it’s considered one of the best countries to move to in Europe.

You’ll usually be asked for proof of address in France, but some banks also offer non-resident or expat accounts. Known as compte non-resident, these accounts can potentially be opened before you move to the country.¹

These accounts aren’t generally advertised on bank websites, so you’ll need to contact the bank to find out your options and what the process is.

The requirements for opening an account will vary between banks, so you might need to do some research to find the right one.

📚 Opening a European bank account

Do you need a bank account in France?

It’s not a legal requirement to have a local bank account when living in France, so it isn’t absolutely essential to open one after your move.

You may be able to manage without one for a short time, making use of multi-currency solutions such as the Wise accountto send, spend and receive money.

But you might find that day-to-day life in France is more difficult and complicated if you don’t have any kind of local or international current account.

You’ll find it tricky to get paid, pay your bills, buy property or get a mortgage, and even sign up for a mobile phone contract.

Can you use your UK bank account in France?

Want to avoid the hassle of opening a new bank account in a foreign country? You might be tempted to keep using your UK account while you’re in France - but is it possible?

Generally speaking, the answer is no - but it all depends on who you bank with.

Major British banks such as Barclays have closed the accounts of Brits living overseas in Europe.² It’s related to Brexit, with regulations requiring banks to have separate authorisation in every EEA country they operate in.

There are some exceptions, such as for UK Crown employees and people who are only planning to live abroad for less than 6 months.¹

But not all banks are affected by the change in regulations after Brexit. For example, Spanish-owned international bank Santander says it will continue to service accounts when the holder moves abroad.³

So if you’re an existing customer, you should in theory be able to continue using your account in France.

Santander does have a presence in France, but it mainly offers loans - so you may not be able to access branches, ATMs and banking-related customer support.

Another important thing to bear in mind is the currency. If you’re using a UK bank account, it’ll likely be denominated in GBP. You’ll be spending in EUR while in France, so you could lose out when it comes to currency exchange.

So, it could be a better idea to close down your UK account and get a fresh start when you arrive in France.

📚 Keeping UK bank account abroad

Can you open a bank account in France as a British expat?

Yes, the banking system in France is open to foreigners and expats as long as they’re living in the country.

You should find it reasonably straightforward to open an account as a new arrival from the UK, especially if you choose a bank with a digital application process.

However, bear in mind that customer service staff in branches may not speak English, and many documents may be in French.

Can you open a French bank account online as an expat from the UK?

Most banks in France will let you open an account online, or at least start the process digitally. There are some that may require an in-person visit to a local branch.

If you’re looking to open a French bank account from the UK before you move, you’ll need to check with the bank whether it’s possible.

You may be able to submit a request or start the process, or you may need to wait until you’ve moved to France and have a local address.

📚 Opening a European bank account online

Can you open an account as an international student?

Yes, most of the major banks in France offer dedicated student accounts, many of which have reduced or no fees. Some may offer other perks too, such as discounts and additional products.

What documents do you need to open a bank account in France?

To open a bank account in France, you’ll usually need to provide the following:⁴

• Proof of identity
• Proof of address in France
• Proof of residency status.

Proof of identity

To verify your identity, you’ll need to provide your UK passport or another form of acceptable photo ID.

Proof of address in France

A recent utility bill or rental contract should be acceptable to prove that you have a French residential address.

Proof of residency status

As a foreign national, you’ll also need to show proof of your French residence permit and/or visa when applying for your bank account.

Additional documents

Some banks may also ask for any or all of the following:

• Proof of employment or student status
• A reference from your employer.

And if your documents aren’t in French, you’ll need to have them translated and the translation certified by a notary with an Apostille stamp.⁴

Best French bank accounts for expats

Now it’s time to start researching French banks. There are many to choose from, but a good place to start as a newcomer is the country’s biggest banks. These banks will be used to dealing with expats from all nations.

Let’s run through a few of the options below, along with the accounts they offer.

BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas is one of the biggest banks in France, with over 200 years of experience in the industry.

It offers individual current accounts, as well as a range of savings options.

The bank is also pretty expat-friendly, with an English version of its website available.

Société Générale

Another of France’s oldest and most reputable financial organisations, Société Générale offers a standard range of SG current accounts.

It also has a variety of accounts for students and young people. So if you’re a student looking to study in France, then this might be a good option for you.

Credit Agricole

Credit Agricole is one of the largest retail banking groups in Europe and serves customers all across the world.

For everyday banking, you can take your pick from the bank’s Essential, Premium and Prestige packages. These are available for young people too, where the account unlocks access to a discount programme especially for 18-30 year olds.

Banque Populaire

Part of the larger Groupe BPCE, one of the largest banking groups in France, Banque Populaire focuses on retail banking, providing a range of products and services to individuals, small businesses and professionals.

The bank has a range ofdifferent cards and accounts to fit your specific needs, including Cristal Essentiel for everyday banking. It also has student accounts and solutions.

Caisse d'Epargne

Another part of Groupe BPCE, Caisse d’Epargne is a reputable banking group offering a range of financial products and services.

Its accounts come in Initial, Comfort and Optimal packages, each with a different fee. The bank also has solutions available for students and young people.

Digital banks and money management alternatives worth looking into

A high-street bank isn’t the only way to manage your money in France. You can also look into digital banks and non-bank alternatives.

Here are a few of the most popular in France:

• BoursoBank- A digital banking solution and subsidiary of Société Générale, known for its user-friendly online platform and competitive interest rates.
• Hello Bank! - A subsidiary of BNP Paribas, Hello Bank offers a user-friendly, innovative, digital banking solution.
• N26 - a mobile bank with no physical branches, offering a digital account, app and cards.
• Revolut - an all-in-one finance app with a debit card and banking services.

You can also check out non-bank alternatives, which don’t have a banking licence but offer services such as accounts, payments and cards.

This includes the money services provider Wise, which has a multi-currency account, international debit card, transfer services and app available to use in France.

What are the banking fees and costs in France?

Like in many other countries, bank accounts in France do come with some fees and charges. This includes fees for money transfers, debit cards and monthly maintenance fees.

These vary between banks, but take a look below for a rough idea of what costs to expect.

Transaction/fee type	Typical fee
Opening an account	Usually free
Current account - monthly fee	Around €6.90 to €21.10 EUR5
ATM cash withdrawal	Usually free for your own bank, up to €2 EUR at private/out of network ATMs¹
Getting a debit card	Around €48 EUR a year6
Domestic payments (i.e. within France)	Usually free
International payments (i.e. to the UK from France)	Varies between banks, but around €9 to €13 EUR depending on amount7

Is there a free French bank account for non-residents?

It is possible to get a French bank account without a monthly fee, especially if you’re a student or only need basic banking services.

But it’s unlikely that these accounts will be available to non-residents. Typically (but not always), non-resident accounts are subject to higher maintenance and other fees.

Wise – An international alternative to a bank account

After reading this, you should have a better idea of how to open a bank account in France as a UK expat.

But there are also some great alternatives out there, which could be better for managing your money in multiple currencies or sending transfers back home to the UK.

Open a Wise account and you’ll only pay a small, transparent fee* to send money in 40+ currencies (including EUR and GBP). Better still, you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate for your foreign currency transactions for only a small, transparent fee*.

Here are some of the main benefits for using Wise to send money:

• Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork
• Fully trackable transfers
• Fast transfer times
• Two-factor authentication and real-time notifications
• Dedicated support for large sum transfers
• Low, upfront, transparent fees*

You can also get a Wise card for a one-time fee of just £7 and use it to spend in France, Europe and 150+ countries worldwide. There are no hidden fees, and you can even connect your Wise card to Google Pay or Apple Pay.

Importantly, you can open a Wise account in advance of your move to France. This means you’re not left without a payment method while you’re waiting for your new French bank account.

Sign up with Wise today 💰

For more help settling into your new life in France, read our handy guides:

• Payment methods in France
• Building a house in France
• Renovating French property
• Selling property in France

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Sources used in this article:

1. Expatica- some banks offer expat services
2. Barclays - Barclays rules for account holders moving abroad
3. Santander - Brexit and Santander
4. Expatica- documents needed to open a French account
5. Banque Populaire - account fees

Sources last checked on date: 05-Aug-2025