As an international student in France you might choose to open a French bank account. This can depend on the international conditions your bank offers back home and also on the issue that paying might not always be possible with a foreign credit card in France. In addition this would give you the French “RIB” , a document resuming your account details needed for many bureaucratic procedures in France.
Before opening and closing an account you will always need to make an appointment with the bank of your choice. There are several around the campus (Societe Generale, LCL, Banque Populaire, Caisse d’Epargne, Crédit Mutuel, Crédit Agricole). Before choosing, It is useful to compare their offers concerning housing insurances, since you will need to subscribe to one for the year (see Housing Insurance on the blog).
If you join the ESN association in Dijon they may have an offer which includes a bank account with Societé Generale. They have discounts but be sure to understand everything you are charged so that you have money in your account all the time. They are a little bit disorganized but openning the account with Societé Generale through ESN is very easy.
You will need to provide documentation for the paperwork for all banks:
If you live in a CROUS accommodation:
- Photocopy of your passport or ID card (for EU)
- CROUS document stating you are staying there (can be obtained at the main office of your residence)
- Birth certificate for non-French nationals
- Student certificate (see page Student Registration at uB , Online section)
If you live in a private residence / shared apartment:
- Photocopy of your passport or ID card (for EU)
- Housing certificate less than 3 months old (lease, house bill such as electricity, internet, landline phone bill)
- If you are not the owner: The owner of the place (whose name appears on the bill) needs to write a letter stating that you live at their place.
- In which case you will also need a photocopy of their ID.
- Student certificate (see page Student Registration at uB , Online section)
