When you first arrive in France, it is best to apply for a local bank card as soon as possible. This will avoid the anxiety of carrying a wad of cash and hide it for fear of being seen, and also ensure that you can use it whenever necessary. There are always cards available.

How to open an account?

As an international student, you need these materials to open a bank card account in France:

Proof of identity: Passport

Proof of residence: Student residence visa (OFII for the first year Printed directly on the passport)

Student ID card (or admission notice): Many banks cooperate with schools and offer certain discounts to students, such as exempting annual fees or reducing annual fees in the first year, etc.

Housing materials: the housing contract and housing certificate you signed

After preparing the materials, you can go to the selected bank to open an account. In view of the efficiency issues in France, it is recommended to choose a place near the school. Or a bank close to home, where it is convenient to handle various bank-related matters back and forth.

French local banks

Generally speaking, the following French banks are available to international students:

BNP Paribas

The largest bank in France has guaranteed safety. For larger incoming payments, customer service will conduct phone or email verification, but the procedures are relatively cumbersome.

SG (Société Générale) Société Générale

One of the largest commercial banking groups in France, with excellent service management, convenient procedures such as card application and refund, and the most Agence distribution points across the country , but the card fee is relatively expensive.

LCL (Credit Lyonnais)

The card fee is not expensive and the service is very user-friendly. However, because the base is in Lyon, there are fewer branches in the north than in the south. .

La Banque Postale

The biggest advantage is that it is cheap and has the most branches. Where there is a postal service, there is usually a bank. But in other aspects, it may be slightly inferior.

CIC (Crédit Industriel et Commercial) Union Bank of Europe

It is a commercial bank in France. The service is relatively good, the annual fee is very cheap, and it can provide mobile phone plans, but like LCL, There are fewer outlets in the north.

Selection of bank account types

All banks in France can open accounts. Students generally choose to open a savings account, and they can also open a credit account. But for credit card overdrafts, be sure to make up the balance within 15 days, otherwise your bank credit will be affected. In addition, students from business schools or engineering schools can directly apply for BNP, SG and LCL gold cards.