Resolving issues with your bank

What do I do if my application for an account is refused?

If you are resident in France and have the relevant long-stay visa or residency card to prove it, then you have a right to open a bank account in France. 

This is known as the ‘droit au compte bancaire’ and it means that anyone who has been refused a bank account in France can write to the Banque de France and appeal. However, be aware that when your appeal is resolved you will be issued a designated bank which may not be the one best suited to you.

Resolving issues with your bank – the banking ombudsman

If you have a dispute with your bank and are unable to resolve it with your conseiller, you should contact your bank’s customer service department – this will be on the bank’s website – preferably by registered letter (lettre recommandée) with acknowledgement of receipt (accusé de réception). 

If you are not satisfied with the response or if you do not receive a response within two months (15 days for a dispute relating to a payment service), you can refer the matter – free of charge – to France’s banking ombudsman (médiateur bancaire). 

You must prove that you have attempted to resolve the dispute with your bank before referring it to the mediator. Otherwise, your request for mediation will not be considered.

After submitting your complaint to the ombudsman, you will receive notification of the admissibility of your appeal. They must respond to you within 90 days. The list of ombudsmen can be found here.