Re: French Bank account needed?

[pagnol81]

My nephew is buying a new apartment as a holiday home. He has made a stage payment direct to the Notaire. He thinks he will be able to continue without having a French bank account when the apartment is completed and he needs to pays bills, utilities etc.

  I know some places accept British credit cards and you could pay local taxes in cash at the local tresorerie, but is it possible to manage without a French bank account? I don't think so but would appreciate others comments.

[Ian]

I would guess that it is possible - but would be terribly complicated and certainly initially quite a bit of work setting up the appropriate systems - I would anticipate that he finds himself using cash more often than credit cards.  I fail to see the potential upside.

[cooperlola]

I'm with Ian.  Do-able at a real pinch but a right pain!

[Lou]

I think he might find it very difficult to pay bills such as EDF and France Telecom.

I work for an estate agent and as part of the service we do the changeover of utilities at sale time - EDF won't accept a new account unless they are given French bank account details - irrespective of how you then intend to pay the bills.  I'm not sure if this is a regional thing - maybe they're more strict in this area than others?  I suspect they have taken on new accounts and then not had bills paid...........

Lou

[pagnol81]

Thanks for your replies. I'm with you all. It would be hard work and I wondered about EDF and FT bills.