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French · Admin & banking · Elementary

How to open a bank account in France

Book an appointment, then say “Je voudrais ouvrir un compte”. Banks usually ask for ID and a justificatif de domicile (proof of address): “Avez-vous un justificatif de domicile ?”. Ask about fees (“Ce compte a des frais mensuels ?”). Once the account is open you get a RIB, the bank details landlords and employers ask for.

Try it · about two minutes

At a bank branch you ask which documents you need and which fees apply to open a current account.

Sound on: the bank adviser speaks French. You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

The conversation

  1. Bank adviser

    Que puis-je faire pour vous ?

    What can I do for you?

    You

    Je voudrais ouvrir un compte.

    I’d like to open an account.

  2. Bank adviser

    Puis-je voir votre passeport, s'il vous plaît ?

    May I see your passport, please?

    You

    Oui, le voici.

    Yes, here it is.

  3. Bank adviser

    Avez-vous un justificatif de domicile ?

    Do you have proof of address?

    You

    Oui, voici une facture d'électricité.

    Yes, here’s an electricity bill.

  4. Bank adviser

    Pouvez-vous remplir ce formulaire ?

    Could you fill in this form?

    You

    Ce compte a des frais mensuels ?

    Does this account have monthly fees?

  5. The adviser explains the fees. You sign, and your account is open.

    You

    La nouvelle carte arrivera dans combien de temps ?

    How long will the new card take to arrive?

  6. Bank adviser

    Vous recevrez la carte par courrier dans quelques jours, et le code séparément.

    You’ll get the card by post in a few days, and the PIN separately.

    You

    Merci pour votre aide.

    Thank you for your help.

Key phrases

  • Je voudrais ouvrir un compte.

    I’d like to open an account.

  • Quels documents faut-il pour ouvrir un compte ?

    What documents do I need to open an account?

  • Je dois prendre rendez-vous ?

    Do I need to make an appointment?

  • Puis-je voir votre passeport, s'il vous plaît ?

    May I see your passport, please?

  • Avez-vous un justificatif de domicile ?

    Do you have proof of address?

  • Pouvez-vous remplir ce formulaire ?

    Could you fill in this form?

  • Ce compte a des frais mensuels ?

    Does this account have monthly fees?

  • Vous pouvez m'expliquer ces frais ?

    Can you explain these fees to me?

  • Où trouver mon numéro de compte ?

    Where can I find my account number?

  • Il me faut une attestation de la banque pour confirmer mon compte.

    I need a letter from the bank confirming my account.

Good to know in France

Opening an account

  1. 1

    Many branches open accounts by appointment; some banks let you do it all online.

    Do I need to make an appointment?
  2. 2

    Bring ID and a justificatif de domicile, such as a recent bill or your lease; some banks also ask for proof of income.

  3. 3

    Once the account is open, you get a RIB: the bank details your employer and landlord ask for.

No bills in your name yet

If you live with someone, they can usually write an attestation d’hébergement (a letter saying you live with them), with a copy of their ID and a recent bill.

Read the fee list

Accounts and cards often have monthly fees, and online banks often charge less. Ask for the fee list (la plaquette tarifaire) before you sign.

Vous pouvez m'expliquer ces frais ?

Can you explain these fees to me?

More situations in French

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Keep these phrases in Frasa

Frasa is an iPhone app for the conversations in front of you. Save phrases like these, rehearse them out loud, and they come back until they stick.

AI-generated. May be inaccurate.