| If you want to buy a property in France,
whether it is a permanent house or a holiday apartment, it is important to open
a French bank account. Although it is possible to pay on traveller's
cheques, Eurocheques and credit cards issued by British banks, the fees for
these services can be expensive. The simplest way to pay regular bills, such as electricity, gas, or telephone, particularly when you are not in residence, is by direct debit from your French account. To open a current account, you will need to show your passport and birth certificate and to provide your address in your native country. You will be issued with a cheque book within weeks of opening the account. In France it is illegal to be overdrawn. All accounts must be operated in credit. However, there are no bank charges. Note that cheques take longer to clear in France than in Britain, and can only be stopped if stolen or lost. The easiest way to transfer money from a British bank to a French one is by bank transfer: simply provide your British bank with the name, address and number of your French bank account. The procedure takes about a week and costs between ￡25 and ￡40 for each transaction depending on your British bank. Alternatively, you can transfer money via a French bank in London. You can also send a sterling cheque (allow at least 12 days for the cheque to be cleared). Eurocheques or traveller's cheques. Finally, it is a good idea to make friends with your French bank manager.His help can prove invaluable. |