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Everyday procedures such as opening a bank account
Opening a bank account is an essential procedure. It helps you settle in France, in line with the law.
Key points of the sheet
- In a bank account, money is safe: no loss or theft. The account is required for many administrative procedures and to receive your salary.
- Every person can open a bank account in France. You must show an official identity document with a photo and be an adult or an emancipated minor to open an individual account alone.
- A minor can also open an account with the permission of their legal representatives.
- You need proof of address less than 3 months old, for example a rent receipt or a water bill. You must also give a signature, which the bank records.
- Opening a bank account is free. But the bank can charge fees for keeping the account.
- The bank can refuse to open an account without justifying its decision. To claim your right to an account, you can contact the Banque de France.
- The Banque de France manages services for the economy, such as the right to an account and support for over-indebted people. It also ensures price stability.
Words to know
- bank account (compte bancaire)
- Money is safe in it, and it is required for many procedures and to receive your salary.
- emancipated minor (mineur émancipé)
- According to the sheet, an emancipated minor can open an individual account alone.
- proof of address (justification du domicile)
- It is a document less than 3 months old, for example a tax notice or a rent receipt.
- signature deposit (dépôt de signature)
- It means giving a signature that the bank records.
- right to a bank account (droit au compte)
- To claim it, you contact the Banque de France, which is responsible for this task.
- Banque de France
- It manages services for the economy and monetary strategy, and it ensures price stability.
- over-indebtedness (surendettement)
- The Banque de France supports people in over-indebtedness.
Test yourself: 3 questions
To open an account, the proof of address must be less than:
In French, the language of the exam: Pour ouvrir un compte, le justificatif de domicile doit dater de moins de :
The sheet requires proof of address less than 3 months old.
Who ensures price stability and manages the right to an account?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui assure la stabilité des prix et gère le droit au compte ?
The Banque de France manages the right to an account and ensures price stability.
Must the bank justify a refusal to open an account?
In French, the language of the exam: La banque doit-elle justifier un refus d'ouvrir un compte ?
The bank can refuse to open an account without needing to justify its decision.
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Source
Sheet “Les démarches du quotidien comme l’ouverture d’un compte bancaire” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.