Can I open a bank account when I am in an irregular situation?

Being in an irregular situation in France complicates the opening of a bank account, but it is possible 🤝. Having an account is essential for day-to-day operations. This article explains the steps to follow.

Any person living in France 🇫🇷 , whether in a regular situation or not, is entitled to open a bank account according to French law (article L312-1 of the Monetary and Financial Code). This right applies to French citizens, foreigners in a legal situation or without a residence permit.

The conditions for opening a bank account are:

To open a bank account in France, even if you are not legally resident, you must provide certain documents. Typically, banks will ask for:

• An ID document🪪: This may be a passport or identity card, even if it has expired or is issued by your country of origin, or another official document proving your identity.
• A proof of address 📚 : An electricity bill, rent receipt or any other document that proves you have a stable address in France.

However, in practice some banks may refuse to open an account for an irregular person, especially if the person does not have a valid residence permit.

👉 Some practical tips:

Prefer the mutualist or cooperative banks: “La banque postale”https://www.labanquepostale.fr/ or “Le crédit coopératif” https://www.credit-cooperatif.coop/ are more open to people in an irregular situation.

Prepare your file: The more documents you have to prove your identity and your situation, the better your chances of opening an account.

Having a bank account means giving yourself the means to live more serenely in France, whatever your administrative situation.

​​​🚨​ICI ADMIN helps you to know your rights and follow the proper steps to benefit from access to basic banking services. If you encounter any obstacles, don’t hesitate to contact us https://www.iciadmin.fr/en/contact-us/