Opening a bank account

[Meo]

I'm moving to Paris in Jan, and whilst i have somewhere to live, do not currently have a job. Will I be able to open a bank account without employment? I'm worried as my present job in the UK involves assisting international students and the banks refuse them bank accounts left, right and centre for ridiculous reasons.

[Meo]

I forgot to add- last time i lived in france (2001-2002) i had a job before coming over and so had no problems. however, another British friend was refused a cash card and a cheque book, though she too was in gainful employment. Has anyone else come across this?

[Iceni]

When we opened our BP account no-one asked about employment. We only needed some cash, passports and an attestation from the notaire that we had just bought a property. As we were non resident cheques showed our UK address.

John

[hoverfrog]

we opened our account at Credit Agricole by turning up, asking to open an account, refusing an appointment the following week as we would be back in the UK, providing our passports and giving the telephone number of the immoblier we'd signed a compromis de vente with (they didn't check!)

Speaking french (however rusty) helped I'm sure!

[Dublin_Annie]

We opened one with CABritline. They wanted endless quantities of paper. We weren't looking for a mortgage or credit cards or a loan but they still wanted proof of income, the ususal proof of address (here & France). 

I know a lot about the money laundering regulations so most of it is standard however the (seemingly) endless calls about income drove me mad.  Since we weren't moving to France and hod no plans to borrow it seemed unnecessary and they never knew why they were asking all these questions.

I'd suggest you call them or look at the website and see what they want.  That might give you some ideas of what to bring when you go to open an account.