Do I Need to Be a Resident in France to Open a Bank Account?

A French bank account is essential if you plan to buy a property or take out a mortgage in France. It’s also useful for everyday living in France if you want to make your purchases in euros, even if you are just on holiday. If you are not resident in France it can be more complex, which is why it pays to choose a bank with the right expertise to help you with your banking needs. For example, some banks such as CA Britline offer online banking without the need to make an appointment in person to open your account. 

You will often see references to French “residents” and “non-residents”. If a person is resident it means that they live in France, pay French taxes, work or study in France or have a long-stay visa. It’s an important distinction because your Country of fiscal residence may determine the services over and above your standard bank account that you are eligible for such as loans or investments.  For example, CA Britline can offer a full range of bank accounts, currency services and certain savings accounts to UK residents. However, it cannot offer personal loans or investments to UK residents. 

Important: Your bank account, whether you are French or UK resident, will function in exactly the same way.  So, you can make cash withdrawals, online payments, transfer money and use many other services. 

Opening an account with CA Britline is a simple, four step process to check eligibility, provide any supporting documents, complete the documentation online and finally a telephone interview. 

To open an account, you must be: 

• A tax resident in either the UK, Ireland or France  
• A current account holder with a Bank registered in the UK or EEA 

Banks may vary in terms of the documents they require to open a bank account. Documentation includes proof of identity, proof of address and proof of tax status for each applicant. Click here to read the full list of documentation required by CA Britline.  

Tip: It is useful to have all your documents to hand before you start the application process. 

If you wish to open a bank account with CA Britline, we’d love to hear from you.  

CA Britline’s application process has not changed post-Brexit and it is still not necessary to have an address in France to open an account with us. 

Our friendly team of bi-lingual English-speaking advisors can help you choose the right bank account as well as assist you with your daily banking needs in France.  

Some French banks will no longer provide accounts for UK residents and some may apply additional charges. CA Britline has expert knowledge of the rules and regulations following Brexit for the management of accounts and can help most UK residents with their banking requirements.