First Phrases

Opening a bank account · Français

Opening a bank account in French: 12 survival phrases

Open an account as a newcomer: say what you want, hand over the right documents, ask about fees, cards and transfers, and find out where to sign.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). Use "vous". French banks normally ask for your passport or residence permit, a "justificatif de domicile" (proof of address, e.g. a rental contract or a utility bill) and often proof of income. Your account details are on a "RIB" (relevé d'identité bancaire) which includes the IBAN.

How to read the sounds: Say the vowel through your nose where you see n/m after it (on, an, in); don't sound the n. r is a soft throat sound. Final consonants are mostly silent. Stress falls on the last syllable and is marked in CAPITALS.

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Official names used

On this card: justificatif de domicile, RIB, IBAN, numéro fiscal. Spelling checked against official sites on 2026-10-20:

12 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Je voudrais ouvrir un compte bancaire.
    Say it like: zhuh voo-DRAY oo-VREER an kont bon-KAIR
    I'd like to open a bank account.
    Register: Polite.
  2. 02Polite
    Je viens d'arriver en France. Puis-je ouvrir un compte ?
    Say it like: zhuh vyan dah-ree-VAY on FRONSS. pwee-zhuh oo-VREER an KONT
    I've just arrived in France. Can I open an account?
    Register: Slightly formal "puis-je".
  3. 03Polite
    De quels documents ai-je besoin ?
    Say it like: duh kel doh-kew-MON ay-zhuh buh-ZWAN
    What documents do I need?
    Register: Formal inversion; "J'ai besoin de quoi ?" is casual.
  4. 04Polite
    Voici mon passeport et mon numéro fiscal.
    Say it like: vwah-SEE mon pahss-POR ay mon new-may-ROH fee-SKAL
    Here is my passport and my tax number (numéro fiscal).
    Register: Only if you already have one; ask the bank what it needs.
  5. 05Neutral
    Voici mon justificatif de domicile.
    Say it like: vwah-SEE mon zhews-tee-fee-kah-TEEF duh doh-mee-SEEL
    Here is my proof of address.
    Register: A rental contract or recent utility bill.
  6. 06Neutral
    Y a-t-il des frais de tenue de compte ?
    Say it like: ee ah-TEEL day fray duh tuh-NEW duh KONT
    Are there account maintenance fees?
    Register: Ask before signing.
  7. 07Neutral
    Combien coûtent les virements à l'étranger ?
    Say it like: kom-BYAN koot lay veer-MON ah lay-tron-ZHAY
    How much do transfers abroad cost?
    Register: Neutral.
  8. 08Polite
    Je voudrais une carte bancaire.
    Say it like: zhuh voo-DRAY oon kart bon-KAIR
    I'd like a bank card.
    Register: Polite.
  9. 09Polite
    Puis-je utiliser la banque en ligne et l'application ?
    Say it like: pwee-zhuh ew-tee-lee-ZAY lah bonk on LEEN ay lah-plee-kah-SYON
    Can I use online banking and the app?
    Register: Polite.
  10. 10Polite
    Pouvez-vous me donner mon RIB avec l'IBAN ?
    Say it like: poo-VAY-voo muh doh-NAY mon ree-B ah-VEK lee-BON
    Could you give me my RIB with the IBAN?
    Register: "RIB" is said by letters: "air-ee-bay".
  11. 11Polite
    Quand vais-je recevoir la carte ?
    Say it like: kon vay-zhuh ruh-suh-VWAHR lah KART
    When will I receive the card?
    Register: Neutral-polite.
  12. 12Neutral
    Où dois-je signer ?
    Say it like: oo dwahzh-uh see-NYAY
    Where do I have to sign?
    Register: Read before you sign; ask for a copy.

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Quick answers

What do I say to start at the bank in French?

Start with: "Je voudrais ouvrir un compte bancaire." (I'd like to open a bank account.)

Should I use informal or formal French at the bank?

Use "vous". French banks normally ask for your passport or residence permit, a "justificatif de domicile" (proof of address, e.g. a rental contract or a utility bill) and often proof of income. Your account details are on a "RIB" (relevé d'identité bancaire) which includes the IBAN.

How do I ask which documents a bank needs in French?

Try: "De quels documents ai-je besoin ?" (What documents do I need?)

Same errand, another language

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French, another errand

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All 5 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

How it works

  1. Pick the errand and the language of the country you are in.
  2. Read the twelve phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. The official names of offices and numbers are checked against the official sites; native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Once you are settled, open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group.

firstphrases.app/survival/bank/fr/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint