Opening a French bank account is a pre-requisite to carrying out everyday transactions (receiving salary, paying rent and bills, etc.).

You need the following documents to open an account:

• Photo ID (passport)
• Residence permit
• Proof of address: an electricity, gas, water or landline bill, or a declaration that you are being housed free of charge signed by the person providing you with accommodation, together with a copy of one of their bills and their photo ID. (HARSHA WILL FAKE IT THAT YOU ARE STAYING WITH HIM IF NEEDED 🤣)
• Proof of income: pay slip or tax notice (if you have a contract)
• (very important) Attestation d'assurance habitation: At the time of account opening, you must provide a certificate of insurance for the location where you live. It costs roughly 3-20 euros each month. If you live in a dorm, you should present an insurance for the your room in the dorm. You can easily alter the certificate's address when you reside in a new one. Your bank may provide you insurance, which is generally expensive (16 euros per month), but you may be able to obtain it from other insurance companies at a reduced cost (3 euros per month).

There is several French banks, some of them:

• LCL
• Credit Agricole
• Society Generale
• Banque Postale
• BNP
• CIC
• and others.

As well as many online banks:

• boursorama bank
• orange bank
• Monabanq