Lifetti.com’s French banking team opens accounts for expats across Paris, Lyon, and the Riviera. This guide reflects the real 2026 fees and English-support levels our clients experience, not the marketing pages banks show you.
What you need to know first
- You need a French account (and its RIB number) for almost everything: salary, rent, utilities, CPAM health reimbursements, and phone contracts.
- App banks open in minutes from your phone; traditional banks can take one to three weeks and usually want a French address.
- Traditional banks charge account fees that app banks don't, but you'll want a traditional bank the moment a mortgage enters the picture.
- If banks refuse you, the Banque de France "droit au compte" procedure can force one to open a basic account.
Banks expats actually use
Lifetti’s Verified Bank Comparison: these are the banks our expat clients actually use (updated July 2026). Fee levels and account terms change often, always confirm on the bank's site before applying.
| Bank | Type | English support | Non-residents | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BNP Paribas | Traditional | Good (larger branches) | Possible, branch-dependent | Full service + mortgages |
| Société Générale | Traditional | Limited | Possible, branch-dependent | Branch network, salaried expats |
| Crédit Agricole | Traditional (regional) | Varies by region | Yes, "Britline" for English speakers | Rural areas, second-home owners |
| HSBC / CCF | Traditional | Strong | Premier customers | Existing HSBC customers |
| N26 | App bank | Full app in English | EU/EEA address required | Fast setup, no fees |
| Revolut | App bank | Full app in English | Yes (EEA) | Multi-currency, travel |
| Wise | Money account | Full app in English | Yes | Transfers & holding currencies |
Lifetti Banking Note
BNP Paribas offers the strongest English support in major branches, and unlike the app banks it can write a French mortgage.
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App banks and money accounts you can open before or right after arriving.
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Now that you're opening a bank account…
French banks will offer you home insurance at signing, compare independent insurers first; assurance habitation is mandatory for renters.
Freelancing or setting up a company in France?
A compte professionnel works differently: capital deposit, attestation de dépôt, and the Kbis that unblocks your funds.
Need a mortgage in France?
Brokers used to non-resident and expat files, they negotiate rates across banks for you.
Meilleurtaux
France's largest mortgage broker
Empruntis
Compares 100+ lenders
French-Property Finance
English-speaking, non-resident specialist
Some links may be partner links, using them never costs you more and helps keep our guides free.
Frequently asked questions
Lifetti’s French banking experts answer the most common expat questions:
Can I open a French bank account before I move?
App banks (N26, Revolut, Wise) can be opened from abroad with an EU/EEA address. Traditional French banks usually want proof of a French address; Crédit Agricole's Britline service is a well-known exception aimed at English speakers buying property.
What documents do I need?
Passport or EU ID, proof of French address (utility bill, rental contract, or attestation d'hébergement), and often proof of income or student status. Non-residents may be asked for a tax number from their home country.
Do French banks charge monthly fees?
Most traditional banks charge account-keeping fees (typically a few euros per month, more with a debit card), unlike app banks, whose basic plans are free. Fees are often negotiable or waived for young people and new arrivals; always ask.
What is the "droit au compte"?
If banks refuse to open an account for you, France has a legal right-to-an-account procedure: the Banque de France can designate a bank that must open a basic account for you. It applies to residents and, in some cases, EU non-residents.
About Lifetti
Bank terms change monthly. Lifetti.com verifies these details directly with branch managers. For a personalized bank recommendation based on your visa type and income, use Lifetti’s 5-question banking matcher.
Get a personalized bank recommendationNote: This page is general information, not financial advice. Bank terms, fees and eligibility change, always confirm directly with the bank before applying.