I'm working on a project where I'm going to have to spend about 50% of
my time over the next six months in central Paris (I don't really
consider this a hardship!) and will have an apartment with a rental
agreement, but will not have a visa or a Carte de Sejours. I'd like
to have a small bank account for things like paying bills and just
avoiding having to use cash all the time - how difficult is this going
to be? (I'm an US citizen at the moment, but in the process of
acquiring dual US/EU citizenship, although this will take a few more
months.)

I've done quite a bit of searching on this topic, but the best I've
found is that people have written that some banks will do it, some
won't. Anyone have any tips on how I might get started when I'm
there?

Thanks,

Chris Russo

"Chris Russo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > I'm working on a project where I'm going to have to spend about 50% of
    > my time over the next six months in central Paris (I don't really
    > consider this a hardship!) and will have an apartment with a rental
    > agreement, but will not have a visa or a Carte de Sejours. I'd like
    > to have a small bank account for things like paying bills and just
    > avoiding having to use cash all the time - how difficult is this going
    > to be? (I'm an US citizen at the moment, but in the process of
    > acquiring dual US/EU citizenship, although this will take a few more
    > months.)
    > I've done quite a bit of searching on this topic, but the best I've
    > found is that people have written that some banks will do it, some
    > won't. Anyone have any tips on how I might get started when I'm
    > there?

I found it very easy but (1) I am an EU citizen and (2) I bank with an
international group, so my local branch simply asked one of their French
branches to open an account for me.

Colin Bignell

Chris Russo writes:

    > I'm working on a project where I'm going to have to spend about 50% of
    > my time over the next six months in central Paris (I don't really
    > consider this a hardship!) and will have an apartment with a rental
    > agreement, but will not have a visa or a Carte de Sejours. I'd like
    > to have a small bank account for things like paying bills and just
    > avoiding having to use cash all the time - how difficult is this going
    > to be? (I'm an US citizen at the moment, but in the process of
    > acquiring dual US/EU citizenship, although this will take a few more
    > months.)

You need a carte de séjour to work in Paris, especially for several
months, so your question is moot.

    > I've done quite a bit of searching on this topic, but the best I've
    > found is that people have written that some banks will do it, some
    > won't. Anyone have any tips on how I might get started when I'm
    > there?

Since you can only legally stay and work with a carte de séjour, I
suggest you worry about that first.

Banks will open an account for you with a carte de séjour, but they
may not extend credit. Without a carte de séjour, you're an illegal
alien, and they may look askance at that.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

"Chris Russo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > I've done quite a bit of searching on this topic, but the best I've
    > found is that people have written that some banks will do it, some
    > won't. Anyone have any tips on how I might get started when I'm
    > there?

Chris,

It will be somewhat harder than opening an account in the US but nothing
that can't be overcome.

Just go into the bank and ask. Take some good ID, a passport would probably
be easiest. Be prepared to spend the next 45 minutes filling out forms :)

T.

Chris Russo wrote:
    > I'm working on a project where I'm going to have to spend about 50% of
    > my time over the next six months in central Paris (I don't really
    > consider this a hardship!) and will have an apartment with a rental
    > agreement, but will not have a visa or a Carte de Sejours. I'd like
    > to have a small bank account for things like paying bills and just
    > avoiding having to use cash all the time - how difficult is this going
    > to be? (I'm an US citizen at the moment, but in the process of
    > acquiring dual US/EU citizenship, although this will take a few more
    > months.)
    > I've done quite a bit of searching on this topic, but the best I've
    > found is that people have written that some banks will do it, some
    > won't. Anyone have any tips on how I might get started when I'm
    > there?
    > Thanks,
    > Chris Russo

as far as I know there are bank accounts for non residents foreigners.ù
normally they only require a passport and a decalration that you are non
living in the country

this is because our bank accounts are subject to interests taxations.
these taxes will not be chraged to foreigners.

I moved to France almost two years ago to from the US. At the time I
had neither a visa nor a titre de séjour. I didn't have a problem
opening a checking account. HOWEVER be prepared to wait a while for the
US funds to clear. I deposited a cashier's check drawn on a US bank
with Bank "A" and it took a month to clear. Once my account was
established with Bank "A" it only takes a week; I regularly transfer
funds from an investment account in the US by personal check, My wife
and I also have an account with Bank "B" and they transfer funds much
faster. Wireing funds (virement) is somewhat faster but more expensive.
A table of bank charges is a "barème des tarifs" Currently with the
taux de change (Rate of exchange" we get about 82% of the value of the
US dollar. You will want a Carte Bleue which is a Bank debit card. The
CB has a small memory gold colored chip at one end you may need it with
certain debit machines.you may want to fill out an "RIB" relevé de
compte which will allow a creditor or utility company (EDF or France
Télécom) to regularly debit your account. If you want to usse your CB
when you travel, CHECK WITH YOUR BANK FIRST to see if there are any
withdrawl limits on the account! Once I got used to la mode
française, things pretty much take care of themselves. So enjoy your
stay
.

I moved to France almost two years ago to from the US. At the time I
had neither a visa nor a titre de séjour. I didn't have a problem
opening a checking account. HOWEVER be prepared to wait a while for the

US funds to clear. I deposited a cashier's check drawn on a US bank
with Bank "A" and it took a month to clear. Once my account was
established with Bank "A" it only takes a week; I regularly transfer
funds from an investment account in the US by personal check, My wife
and I also have an account with Bank "B" and they transfer funds much
faster. Wireing funds (virement) is somewhat faster but more expensive.

A table of bank charges is a "barème des tarifs" Currently with the
taux de change (Rate of exchange" we get about 82% of the value of the
US dollar. You will want a Carte Bleue which is a Bank debit card. The
CB has a small memory gold colored chip at one end you may need it with

certain debit machines (like a self-service gasoline station) .you may
want to fill out an "RIB" relevé d'identité bancaire.
which will allow a creditor or utility company (EDF or France
Télécom) to regularly debit your account. If you want to use your CB
when you travel, especially outside of France CHECK WITH YOUR BANK
FIRST to see if there are any
withdrawl limits on the account! They can be removed Once I got used
to la mode
française, things pretty much take care of themselves. The French are
charming people and they really care about doing business with you.
Don't take anything for granted. Make a list of questions. So enjoy
your
stay
.

Chris Russo wrote:
    > I'm working on a project where I'm going to have to spend about 50% of
    > my time over the next six months in central Paris (I don't really
    > consider this a hardship!) and will have an apartment with a rental
    > agreement, but will not have a visa or a Carte de Sejours. I'd like
    > to have a small bank account for things like paying bills and just
    > avoiding having to use cash all the time - how difficult is this going
    > to be? (I'm an US citizen at the moment, but in the process of
    > acquiring dual US/EU citizenship, although this will take a few more
    > months.)
    >
    > I've done quite a bit of searching on this topic, but the best I've
    > found is that people have written that some banks will do it, some
    > won't. Anyone have any tips on how I might get started when I'm
    > there?
    >
    > Thanks,
    >
    > Chris Russo

It's a while back, but while I was working in Paris I used a facility
called a day account. Talk to your own bank and see if they are
affiliated with any banks in France (or Paris).

T.

Mxsmanic wrote:
    > Chris Russo writes:
    > > I'm working on a project where I'm going to have to spend about 50% of
    > > my time over the next six months in central Paris (I don't really
    > > consider this a hardship!) and will have an apartment with a rental
    > > agreement, but will not have a visa or a Carte de Sejours. I'd like
    > > to have a small bank account for things like paying bills and just
    > > avoiding having to use cash all the time - how difficult is this going
    > > to be? (I'm an US citizen at the moment, but in the process of
    > > acquiring dual US/EU citizenship, although this will take a few more
    > > months.)
    > You need a carte de séjour to work in Paris, especially for several
    > months, so your question is moot.

Not if he's an EU national.

Mr B;

[email protected] writes:

    > Not if he's an EU national.

He said he is a US citizen, and the United States is not currently
part of the EU.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Mxsmanic wrote:
    > [email protected] writes:
    > > Not if he's an EU national.
    > He said he is a US citizen, and the United States is not currently
    > part of the EU.

Typical Mixi-snip.

He said:
    >> I'm an US citizen at the moment, but in the process of
    > > acquiring dual US/EU citizenship, although this will take a few more
    > > months.)

Mr B;

Thanks for the advice on this one - I was planning on bringing
travelers cheques and opening the account that way. Which bank(s) did
you use, if you don't mind saying?

Thanks,
Chris


On 6 Apr 2006 03:03:04 -0700, "Cochon Capitaliste"
<[email protected]> wrote:

    >I moved to France almost two years ago to from the US. At the time I
    >had neither a visa nor a titre de séjour. I didn't have a problem
    >opening a checking account. HOWEVER be prepared to wait a while for the
    >US funds to clear. I deposited a cashier's check drawn on a US bank
    >with Bank "A" and it took a month to clear. Once my account was
    >established with Bank "A" it only takes a week; I regularly transfer
    >funds from an investment account in the US by personal check, My wife
    >and I also have an account with Bank "B" and they transfer funds much
    >faster. Wireing funds (virement) is somewhat faster but more expensive.
    >A table of bank charges is a "barème des tarifs" Currently with the
    >taux de change (Rate of exchange" we get about 82% of the value of the
    >US dollar. You will want a Carte Bleue which is a Bank debit card. The
    >CB has a small memory gold colored chip at one end you may need it with
    >certain debit machines.you may want to fill out an "RIB" relevé de
    >compte which will allow a creditor or utility company (EDF or France
    >Télécom) to regularly debit your account. If you want to usse your CB
    >when you travel, CHECK WITH YOUR BANK FIRST to see if there are any
    >withdrawl limits on the account! Once I got used to la mode
    >française, things pretty much take care of themselves. So enjoy your
    >stay
    >.

Read the post again - I will be visiting Paris frequently for
business, not working there - big difference. And I will be a dual
US/EU national as soon as I receive my paperwork within the next
couple of months from my consulate in the states - my application's
already approved.

But thanks for a spectacularly unhelpful geography lesson!



On Thu, 06 Apr 2006 20:07:31 +0200, Mxsmanic <[email protected]>
wrote:

    >[email protected] writes:
    >> Not if he's an EU national.
    >He said he is a US citizen, and the United States is not currently
    >part of the EU.

Sorry I won't divulge the name of my bank(s) lets just say for security
reasons. There are probably a dozen French banks that are nationwide.
Just find one with the cutest "cassier" teller; smile, and remember to
say "Bonjour" Travelers checks denominated in euros seems like a good
way to open an account. Unlike US banks, in France many bankers prefer
to do business by appointment rather than over the phone, so if you
walk in the door and want to open an account and they ask you to make
an appointment and come back, don't be put off.. Also many banks are
closed on Monday but open on Saturday until about noon. They also close
weekdays at mid-day for a couple of hours. Its not the same here as in
the US but youll get used to it. Writing checks is a little different
so read the instructions in your "carnet des cheques" and remember to
write & spell the numbers out in FRENCH, also. the comma and the period
are reversed and you must enter the city where it says "Fait à
--------" Most businesses will accept personal cheques. We use the CB
everywhere, even toll booths on the Autoroutes accept them. Pay phones
will not however. As in the US you can go to your bank's website to
review your transactions, but again they are not always promptly
posted. You can also call a phone number and get balances, NOTE there
is a fee for the phone call, 34 centimes/minute, it seems niggardly to
nickel & dime clients, but its the way we do things here.

On Thu, 6 Apr 2006 09:35:23 +0200, "Terry Richards"
<[email protected]> wrote:

    >"Chris Russo" <[email protected]>
    >> I've done quite a bit of searching on this topic, but the best I've
    >> found is that people have written that some banks will do it, some
    >> won't. Anyone have any tips on how I might get started when I'm
    >> there?
    >Just go into the bank and ask. Take some good ID, a passport would probably
    >be easiest. Be prepared to spend the next 45 minutes filling out forms :)

Oh - be prepared that they absolutely don't care about your ID,
but send you home if you can't present your electricity bill.

Regards, Martin