-
Residents in rural France affected by bank closures
Thousands of branches have closed in recent years as fewer people use brick and mortar services
-
Revolut to invest €1bn to grow market share in France
The country is the online bank’s largest - and fastest-growing - customer base outside the UK
-
Three ways to make bank transfers in France despite Easter pause
Traditional payments are unavailable over four-day period
Right to bank account
A British reader reports that a Société Générale branch near her French holiday home no longer allows non-residents to open accounts. She asks if it applies to all French banks.
Historically banks have had differing policies with regard to this. However a recent European directive, operative in France, states that residents of EU countries have a right to open a ‘basic’ bank account in other EU countries. A compte de base is not a savings account with interest but must have essential facilities including a payment card and, if possible, access to online banking.
Banks may refuse for certain reasons, such as if you already have a French account or they suspect you of not respecting rules on money laundering. They should do so in writing and explaining the right to appeal to the Banque de France via a process called droit au compte. The BdF is able to oblige the bank, or an alternative bank, to open an account for you.
Société Générale told us it follows the directive but that the specialist staff it has to open accounts for non-residents are not present in all branches.