Suriyawut via vecteezy.com
When you arrive in France, whether or not you're planning to get a student job, you'll need a French bank account!
It will enable you to receive income (internship, for example), health expenses reimbursement, and to prove your monthly income to the sous-préfecture to renew your residence permit.
However, finding the right bank can be complex when you are not a native. The guide below aims to help you navigate this, by giving you some elements of comparison and what to bring to a appointment to open your account.
Which bank should you pick?
Choosing a bank with an easily accessible office near you will make any formalities easier, if you encounter any issue. Face-to-face interactions can also help clarify misunderstanding, especially if you are not yet confident in your ability to speak and understand French.
You cannot start with a 100% online bank, as they require a previous French RIB to open an account, which you obviously won't have yet!
We encourage you to compare different banks and accounts by using online comparators. Most banks offer Young adult/Student accounts, at cheaper rates than a normal account.
You can also ask friends and classmates what bank they're using and if they're happy with it.
If you receive monthly transfers from abroad (e.g. from a guarantor), it is important that you check the rates for international transfers (outside SEPA), as they can be quite expensive depending on the bank.
Le cas des mineurs
Attention : Si vous êtes mineur, il n’est pas possible d’ouvrir un compte bancaire seul, vous devez être accompagné par un représentant légal (parent) ou vous devez attendre vos 18 ans. Pensez à contacter le CMI pour votre demande de titre étudiant deux mois avant vos 18 ans.