Bank account assistance in France

Every French company with share capital must hold a business bank account: the capital is deposited there, and the bank’s certificate of deposit goes into the registration file. For founders who live abroad, opening it is often the slowest step of the setup. Banks run identity and anti-money-laundering checks on the company, its directors and each person who ultimately owns or controls it, and they may ask to meet a director in person or for the business plan, the expected flows and the countries the company will deal with. Some foreign owners turn to an online bank or payment institution, which can be quicker but does not suit every activity.

Firms offering bank account assistance in France

Interexco

Accounting firm · Boutique firm

Paris

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +4 more

Languages: French · English · Italian · Spanish …

View profile of Interexco

APRZ

Accounting firm · Boutique firm

Lyon

  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • VAT
  • +3 more

Languages: English · French · German · Italian

View profile of APRZ

DSO

Accounting firm · Boutique firm

Nice

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +5 more

Languages: French · English · Italian

View profile of DSO

Orial

Accounting firm · Medium-sized firm

Lyon

  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • VAT
  • +4 more

Languages: French · English · Italian · Portuguese

View profile of Orial

Checking a French banking intermediary

Ask which banks the firm has worked with for clients from your country and what those banks asked for. Ask whether it prepares the file, attends the appointment or only makes an introduction, and whether the fee depends on the account actually being opened. Find out how long the last few openings took, and what happens if the first bank says no.

Firms on Accountanty

Eleven firms on Accountanty in France list help with opening a bank account: nine accounting firms and two corporate service providers, ten of them small and one medium-sized. Nine work with foreign clients, eight offer English and four Italian. Paris has six, Nice three and Lyon two. Since the account is part of the setup, see company formation in France.

Frequently asked questions

Can I open a French business bank account without travelling to France?

Sometimes. Some banks and online institutions accept remote identification, while others want to meet a director. Ask the firm which banks have accepted clients in your situation recently, since bank policies on owners abroad change often.

What documents does a French bank ask for?

Typically the statutes, identity documents and proof of address for directors and owners, details of who ultimately owns the company, a description of the activity and the payments you expect. Banks may ask for more when the owners live abroad.

Other services in France

Accountants by city in France

Setting up a company in France: the guide and every firm

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules, rates and fees change: check them with the official sources linked on this page or with a qualified adviser before you act.