In Brief

• Opening an individual bank account is free.
• Any adult or emancipated minor can open an account alone.
• The bank can refuse to open an account without justification but must inform you of your right to an account.
• Closing the account at the initiative of the account holder is free and without reason.

What is an Individual Bank Account?

An individual bank account is an account opened by a single person, known as the account holder. All types of bank accounts can be individual: current account, savings account, or securities account. Specific conditions, such as age rules or minimum deposit requirements, may apply when opening a savings book, plan, or account. It is advisable to inquire directly with the relevant bank to know these specifics.

Who Can Take Action

To open an individual bank account, you must meet certain fundamental rules regarding your identity, age, and residence.

Nationality and Residence

You can open an individual account in France if you are a foreign national and legally reside in French territory.

Age Requirement

You must be an adult or an emancipated minor to open an individual account on your own. If you are a non-emancipated minor or a protected adult, you must obtain permission from your legal representatives to proceed with the account opening.

Steps to Open an Account

The account opening procedure involves several mandatory verifications by the bank.

1. Identity Verification

To request the opening of an account, you must present an official identification document with a photograph. Accepted documents include:

• National identity card
• Passport
• EU residence permit
• Other residence title

A driver's license may also be accepted, provided the photo leaves no doubt about your identity.

2. Proof of Residence

You must provide a document justifying your residence. Examples of accepted documents include:

• Tax notice
• Rent receipt
• Water or electricity bill
• Certificate of residence election (if you do not have a stable residence)

If you are staying with someone, the bank may require a certificate of accommodation. A template for a certificate of accommodation is available to facilitate this process.

3. Signature Deposit

You must deposit your signature, which will be recorded by the bank. If you grant a power of attorney on the account to another person, that person must also deposit their signature.

4. Bank Decision

Once the elements are provided, the bank makes its decision.

Acceptance

If the bank agrees to open the account, it informs you of the terms of use. For a current account, you sign the bank account agreement, which contains the rules for opening, operating, and closing the account. For another type of account (savings, securities account), you sign a specific contract.

Refusal

The bank can refuse to open the account without needing to justify its decision. In this case, it must inform you of the possibility of contacting the Banque de France to exercise your right to an account. You can contact the reception and information office of the Banque de France corresponding to your place of residence.

Using the Account

You are the only one who can perform the following operations on your individual bank account:

• Deposit and withdraw funds (unless you have granted power of attorney to another person).
• Use the payment methods associated with the account.

You are solely responsible for debts and payment incidents related to your account. The bank must address you to regularize any irregular situation.

Account Holder Identification

The account title includes your first name and last name, preceded by "Mr." or "Ms." If you are married, you can choose to open the account in your family name or your usage name (your spouse's name or hyphenated name). The bank verifies that the usage name appears on your identification document. A single female client cannot be required to use the term "Miss." In cases of guardianship or curatorship, the mention "under guardianship" or "under curatorship," followed by the name of the guardian or curator, is added.

Cost

Opening the account is free. However, the bank may charge fees for managing your account, known as account maintenance fees. The details of these fees must be included in the pricing information provided to you.

Closing the Account

An individual bank account can be closed at the initiative of the bank or at your initiative.

At the Bank's Initiative

The bank can close the account with a 2-month notice period. It does not have to justify its decision. In the event of the account holder's death, the bank blocks the account as soon as it becomes aware and no longer records any deposit or withdrawal transactions. The account can only be unblocked for the payment of certain expenses incurred after the death.

At Your Initiative

You can close your account for free, at any time and without reason. The account agreement specifies the closure conditions. In practice, you must send a termination request by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt. A template letter is available for "Requesting the Closure of a Bank Account."

It is crucial to maintain a sufficient balance in your account to allow the bank to settle ongoing transactions, particularly issued checks, to avoid payment incidents. You must return or destroy all payment methods provided to you. Standing transfer or direct debit orders are canceled on the date the termination letter is received.

The bank closes the account within a maximum of 30 days from your closure request and the return of payment methods. In practice, this period is usually 10 days.

Mobility Assistance Service

In case of changing banks, you can request to benefit from the mobility assistance service for free. Within 5 days from the closure request, the bank provides you with a summary of automatic transactions carried out over the last 13 months. For direct debit payments, creditors have a period of 10 days to take your new banking details into account.

Note: withdrawing deposited funds does not close the account. The account is settled but not closed, which may incur fees for an inactive account.

Official Source

The information contained in this guide is extracted exclusively from the official sheet "Individual Bank Account" published on service-public.fr, verified on April 29, 2025, by the Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister).