Banking and spending in France · Love me France

Banking and spending in France

With a checking account in America, perhaps others, there is a Routing, and Account number.

With an account in France (and most of the EU) there is IBAN (international bank account number)

You MUST have IBAN for many things, energy and internet billing, insurance, CPAM if enrolled

These are the best institutions to deal with (suggestion from experience)

……..OPEN BEFORE COMING TO FRANCE……. WISE

With offices in the US and Belgium, they have (it seems) best currency conversion individual rates

You get an IBAN AND a US account number!

It is accepted in all stores, gas stations, never an issue. This is not a credit card.

Transfers are generally instant, any US pension, etc may be deposited.

….below affiliate link is to open a wise account, we both have benefits by using this. Image of promo below.

…….OPEN WHILE YOU HAVE A US ADDRESS to get an account with both IBAN and US acct.

AFTER ARRIVING and gaining a legal residence, proving with a utility bill or signed room mate agreement, etc…

N26: A online bank with a French iban (FRXxxxxxxxx vs BEXxxxxxxxx) account is free, 10eur for a card

Some services insist on a FR Iban for payment, but also other benefits…

WISE has a 200eur per month cash ATM limit, there after is a fee and a %of withdrawal

…N26 has a 1000eur limit, and after that the fee is much less

….below affiliate link to join, image has terms. There is no benefit for you, but happy to reimburse you 50%!

PHYSICAL BANK

some people have issues paying 20eur quarterly, for example to belong to a physical bank….

My opinion why

It connects you with your community and forges a business relationship
It shows your involvement as a citizen, and takes away the “nomad” vibe around financial things
The local bank relationship may be beneficial down the road
Its the normal thing to do?

Banks have english speaking staff, you may make an appointment.

I have found the customer service to be excellent

You can sometimes get insurance discounts

There are attractive signup bonuses

A bridge towards a French credit account, if desired in the future

……….

As always, post questions, experiences, this is a forum where everyone can be involved!

Finally check out a weird video from today…

La vie en rose, by the original Edith Piaf!

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