As I recently discovered, European banking is completely different from U.S. banking. And while I have a Charles Schwabb debit card that allows me to pay abroad with no international transaction fees, I recently decided that I need a French bank account for a few reasons:
I am working as an au pair in Paris and need somewhere to deposit the money I am earning.
I need a card with a “chip” in it. (See the small silver box on the left side of the card below?) There are many places in Europe where you can’t swipe with your card (like the Paris métro for example), and must pay with a card that has a chip.
In Europe, the debit and credit card system works very differently. There are basically two cards: ATM cards and credit cards. An ATM card can only take cash out of an ATM and can’t make purchases. A credit card can charge credit as well as take cash out of the ATM; it’s like a combination of a debit and credit card.
Advice for opening an account in Europe:
- Schedule an appointment with an English-speaking banker. Sit down with him or her and talk about your options, and make sure to read the fine print regarding online banking, monthly charges, etc.
- Even if you speak the local language fluently, bring along a local because you may not understand all the banking terms or contract differences between your own country.
- Bring along your passport, your proof of residence (like a utility bill or rental agreement, or bring your host’s proof of residence if you’re staying with a family) and any kind of paperwork that proves you are working or studying in Europe.
- Open the bank account once you get to Europe; it will be easier than opening it from your home country.
- Make sure that your bank charges a flat fee as opposed to a percentage when transferring funds to a non-Euro bank account, so that when you leave the country for good the bank charges you around 20 euros to transfer your money into your bank account back home, as opposed to taking a percentage. Imagine losing 3% of all of your money!
- Choose a bank that’s close to your house or apartment because in Europe you have to go into the bank more often than in the U.S.
- Study abroad students can also open bank accounts in Europe, they just need to bring proof that they are in fact studying abroad.
What I learned about French banking, and especially CIC, the bank I chose:
I decided to open a bank account with the French bank CIC simply because it’s close to my house and because the lady I work for banks there. Luckily the bank’s policies are quite fair (besides the absurd charge to access my bank account online) so I think I made a good choice.
- At all banks in France you are assigned a pin code for your ATM or credit card, and can’t choose one like in the United States.
- CIC charges no ATM withdrawal fees anywhere within the Eurozone (any country that uses the Euro). Even if you withdrawal at a non-CIC ATM there will be no charges. If you are paying or taking money out of an ATM outside of the Eurozone, the bank will charge you a fee (i.e. if you were in the U.K., United States, etc.)
- CIC charges for online access to your bank account, but if you pay 2.50 euros a month you get unlimited access so that’s what I chose to do.
- At CIC sends you your PIN code in the mail, but you have to come into the bank to pick up your new card.
- At CIC you can’t overdraft your account (the card will be denied once it has no money left).
- CIC charges about 20 euros to transfer funds to a non-Euro account.
Am I missing any important points? If you have opened a bank account abroad what was your experience like?
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That’s true. The US banking differs a lot from the European system. I didn’t know you have to pay 2.50 euros a month you get unlimited access. It’s free in UK and Poland.
Agness recently posted..Photo Essay: Thai Food
That’s so nice, I couldn’t believe it when I had to pay for online access! What an annoying charge.
This is a great post. Very relevant content. I’ve been thinking about opening a foreign account as well, mainly with a bank that I see in multiple countries like HSBC or ANZ. Going to share this, itis helpful!
Fidel recently posted..Five Movies That Inspired Me To Travel
Thanks, Fidel! Every now and again I try to stop my narcissistic rambling and actually post something useful, haha. Glad you enjoyed :)
I think it’s ridiculous you have to pay like 20 euros for a card first of all (in France) and then they charge you anywhere from 5-20+ euros/month just to have the account open. That was a major shock to me. Like they’re doing you a favor by keeping your money. I know that many accounts in the US have fees as well (although most banks offer free checking!), but you get SERVICE. Great hours, free online banking, customer svc, etc. In France, I just can’t get over the fact that I have to pay the bank for an account. Oh well, there are worse things. ;-)
Diane recently posted..Things I hate about being an expat in France
No I agree! Luckily it seems my card is only 2.50 euros a month, so that’s like less than a coffee in my neighborhood. But still, I totally know what you mean.
Well, never mind about my recent question!
Glad I could be of service, haha!
Mine’s three-something euros per month…I still can’t get over it. 36 euro for a year, that’s the cost of a nice dinner or two!
Edna recently posted..The 5 best things I ate in Paris: November
Ugh I know! But they don’t charge you for ATM withdrawal fees, so I think my bank at home actually cost me more because sometimes I had to go to non-Chase ATMS!
This is a super interesting article. I made the mistake of leaving quite a few thousand pounds in a British bank account when I moved back home to New Zealand. I had transferred a chunk of money from my NZ accounts when I moved to the UK (to pay my apartment deposit). The GBP tanked against the NZD so I ended up losing money because I didn’t transfer the deposit money back to NZ when I left.
30Traveler recently posted..Top Ten Ways to Save Money When Visiting New York City
Oh no, I’m always scared of that happening! I would have guess that pounds would be one of the world’s safest currencies… typos fixed as well.
I’ve recently moved to Germany, and I know what you mean about having to go to the bank so much more often here! Back home I usually put everything on my credit card, but Germans seem to love paying in cash!
Michelle recently posted..London Calling: 5 Things I Love about London!
I have the same problem! I literally never have cash on me in the U.S., but in Europe I should take out cash much more than I do.
Hi Ash, Great article on overseas banking. Cusoon!
Thanks Dad! Glad you found it useful and see you in a week and a half :)
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