Banking in France
Right now we can easy to find service in English in the bank in France. Even services and banking facilities in the English language can be easily found in most branches.
Opening foreign accounts
Foreigners can open a bank account in france if they lived in france for at least three months.
To open a bank account, of course, some documents are required:
- Passport or identity card for citizens
- For newcomers or foreigners: the evidence stating that the person is living in France
- There should be proof of address in France such as telephone bills or electricity payments.
- Proof of income for workers and proof of status for students.
Usually, each different bank will require additional documents different. To prepare case only married certificate and birth certificate.
When writing numbers it is useful to know the placement of points and commas.
A point (full stop) denotes the thousands, while a comma separates the cents, for example €2.000,00 is two thousand Euros (deux mille euros). A comma (virgule) marks the fractions in a percentage; twenty three point seven percent is written 23,7% (vingte trois vigule sept pourcent)
Cheques
Paying by personal cheque does not incur additional charges in France. However, a fee is charged to use a bankers draft (Chèque de Banque).
Cheques are accepted as a cash payment. As French law makes a cheque the equivalent to cash, it is illegal to write a cheque if there are not sufficient funds in the account to cover the payment. A cheque may only be cancelled if it is lost, stolen or if there is a suspicion of fraud. If a cheque is written when there is insufficient funds to cover it (and unless other arrangements have been agreed), the bank is obliged to report it to France’s national banking authority, the Bank de France. Bank de France can impose an “interdit bancaire” which forbids the account holder from using cheques for five years.
Photo ID (for example passport or driving licence) may be requested when paying by cheque.
A cheque is valid in France for one year and eight days (373 days).
It is illegal to write a post-dated or open-dated cheque.
When receiving a payment by cheque, always put your bank account number, bank code and signature on the back of a cheque before depositing it.
As a chequebook nears completion, the bank will send another one if a form requesting automatic renewal has been completed – if not, you have to order it. Postal fees are charged for registered delivery. Renewal can also be made by filling in the form provided in your cheque book. Collection can be made from your branch.