Opening a Bank Account in France

Document Checklist

pièce d'identité officielle avec photographie Official photo ID Accepted: Carte nationale d'identité, Passeport, Carte de séjour UE, Autre titre de séjourRequired: Original, in date of validity A driving licence may be accepted only if the photo leaves no doubt as to identity (per service-public.gouv.fr/F2413).
justificatif de domicile Proof of residence Accepted (per arrêté du 31 juillet 2015 set referenced by service-public.gouv.fr): Utility bill ≤3 months old, lease, property deed, tax notice, or housing insuranceRequired: Dated within the last 3 months The 3-month freshness rule is the verbatim Banque de France standard for the droit au compte dossier; banks apply the same standard at voluntary opening.
dépôt de signature Specimen signature Where: Recorded by the bank at account openingRequired: On the bank's signature card or electronic equivalent Recorded once; used to authenticate paper instructions later (cheques, withdrawal slips).