Banking
Banking guide: French banks, opening an account, Wise, Revolut, Trade Republic
The main French banks, how to open an account (and the right to an account), and the particularities of Wise, Revolut and Trade Republic.
Edited by EMA
Checked on: · Source : Banque de France, Wise, Revolut, Trade Republic
First pointers: a bank for each use
| Need | Idea |
|---|---|
| Everyday spending: rent, salary, taxes, bills | An account at a French bank (French IBAN) as your main account: it is the most practical for direct debits and salary. |
| Money to and from Japan, currencies, travel | Wise or Revolut are often used as a complement for currencies and international transfers. |
| Savings and investment | Services such as Trade Republic combine a securities account and deposits. Here, only a description of how it works. |
The main banks in France
There are the big network banks, regional mutual banks and online banks. Prices and services vary by bank and contract: check each institution’s official fee schedule.
| Type | Examples | In brief |
|---|---|---|
| Big network banks | BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, LCL, La Banque Postale, HSBC Continental Europe | Branches to talk in person; an appointment is sometimes needed. |
| Mutual groups | Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne (BPCE group), Crédit Mutuel and CIC | Often organised by region, with separate banks. |
| Regional banks in Bordeaux | Crédit Agricole d’Aquitaine, Banque Populaire Aquitaine Centre Atlantique, Caisse d’Epargne Aquitaine Poitou-Charentes, Crédit Mutuel du Sud-Ouest, CIC Sud Ouest | Their branches can be found in Bordeaux. |
| Online banks | BoursoBank (formerly Boursorama), etc. | No branches; procedures done in the app. |
Opening an account and the “right to an account”
Banks generally ask for a photo ID, recent proof of address and a specimen signature. They may ask for other information. Remotely, extra checks are possible.
- Valid ID with a photograph.
- Proof of address: rent receipt, energy, water, internet or phone bill, tax notice… often less than three months old.
- Specimen signature.
- Possible questions about income, occupation or the origin of funds.
- If refused: anyone domiciled in France, regardless of nationality, can request the right to an account. 1) Get a certificate of refusal (the bank’s silence for 15 days counts as refusal). 2) Submit to the Banque de France the form, the certificate, an ID and proof of address less than three months old. 3) The Banque de France designates a bank within 24 hours (valid for six months). 4) The bank must open the account within three days of a complete file.
- The basic banking services of this account are free. This procedure is not open to anyone who already holds an individual account in their own name.
Useful vocabulary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| RIB / IBAN | Document / international account number, often requested for rent or salary. |
| carte bancaire (CB) | Payment card linked to the account. |
| virement | Money transfer; a SEPA transfer works within the SEPA area. |
| prélèvement | Automatic payment (rent, electricity, phone…). |
| chèque | A means of payment still used in some cases. |
| Livret A | Tax-free savings account, with a ceiling (check ceiling and rate). |
Wise: currencies and international transfers
Wise offers a multi-currency payment account. It is not a bank but a regulated payment institution.
- More than 40 currencies, with a separate balance for each.
- Mid-market exchange rate; conversion fees are shown before you confirm and vary with the currency and amount.
- Free to open, no subscription. A euro IBAN can be provided to eligible customers (depending on country of residence).
- Physical card: €7. Free withdrawals up to €250 per month, then 2.69% on the excess (the ATM may charge its own fees).
- No overdraft, credit or chequebook; direct debits and details depend on the currency and country.
- Customer funds are kept separate from Wise’s own; this mechanism differs from bank deposit guarantee.
Revolut: an app, now a French bank
Revolut is an account managed in an app. In France, the company is moving to a licensed French bank.
- According to Revolut (August 2026 announcement), Revolut Bank S.A. has obtained a French banking licence. French personal and business customers will be transferred in the coming months. It is supervised by the ACPR and the ECB.
- For existing customers, Revolut says account and card information, including the IBAN, does not change; two months’ notice is announced. Customers with a Lithuanian IBAN may receive a French IBAN. Read the notification carefully.
- To get a French IBAN, what matters is main residence in France, not nationality. Proof of address may be requested.
- Tax: French tax residents must declare accounts abroad (Cerfa 3916). Check in the Revolut help where your account is held.
- Fees depend on the plan and the currency: see the official fee schedule.
Trade Republic: invest, save, spend
Trade Republic is a German service used via an app, combining a securities account, deposits and a card. Description of how it works only, with no investment advice.
- French IBAN: since 9 January 2025, customers in France can have their account domiciled in France, with a French IBAN. Deposits and securities are managed by the French branch of Trade Republic Bank GmbH, a German bank. Some customers do not have a French IBAN yet.
- Card: Visa debit card. Virtual (free), Classic (€5 once), Mirror (€50 once).
- Interest on cash: the pages cite 3% or 3.75% per year, and the rate varies. Check the rate and ceiling in the app.
- Protection: cash held at partner banks is guaranteed up to €100,000 per customer; securities are not covered by the deposit guarantee but remain the customer’s property.
- PEA: you need French tax residence and a French IBAN.
- Financial products carry a risk of capital loss: read the information documents before subscribing.
Money between Japan and France, and tax declaration
For a transfer between a Japanese account and a French account, compare fees and exchange rates before sending.
- To check: sending bank’s fees, recipient-side fees, gap from the mid-market rate, arrival time.
- Services such as Wise show the rate and fees before the transaction: compare with an international bank transfer for the same amount.
- Accounts abroad: French tax residents must declare bank accounts held abroad (Cerfa 3916), which may apply to an account in Japan. See the tax authority’s instructions.
- This guide does not recommend any service; conditions change: check the official sites before subscribing.
Sources and checks
Checked on 17 October 2026. Summarised by JAPANITIES from the official pages of the Banque de France (right to an account), Wise, Revolut and Trade Republic. Prices, rates and conditions change: check the official sites before subscribing. This guide is not investment or subscription advice.