What it’s like to try and open a bank account in France

To just OPEN a bank account is more than you could ever imagine.   YOu could ROB the bank easier, I swear.   But never fear, THE BUTTON that must be “pushed” that actually ACTIVATES your long awaited account has been “pushed” and David was able to succeed in less time than anyone (that we have known or read about) to get the darn bank account OPENED!!  This was all   AFTER   – 1) a copy of our federal income tax returns was scanned and emailed via our girls in our house  (in less than two hours!!)    2) copy of a passport    3) address where we are staying confirmed by the OWNER of the property,   4) copy of the owner’s identification (that is non-expired)    5) copy of the owner’s utility bill  (We had a very nice person who did this for us)   6)  verification of employment  7) statement of wages under French contract   8) declaration of value of personal assets – including real estate   9) completion of 9 pages of account opening documents (all in French ofcourse)    10) & when David asked if he could make now an opening deposit – the response was “NON!!” – we have no CASH here!  …..For THAT – you have to go to another branch 5 blocks away!!

OH!  And if that isn’t enough……..

You also MUST show that you have a FRENCH SOCIAL SECURITY CARD in order to be employed!!!  The saga of THAT little gem is this  – It’s basically a HEALTH CARD – so if you get sick  – you can get treatment. (He’s a member of the EU).

The process is – when you first come to France – you have to register for this – you get an ENGLISH (UK) European National Insurance Health Card – So D contacts England for this –  to send it to him (his Uncle, actually)  – who will forward it,  then he shows that  plastic card and goes to a GP and REGISTERS with them.  THEN,  if you need a Prescription, you show this to the Pharmacist so you’re not charged .  Under the “TREATY” if you have the card in ONE EU country – you are entitled to get it in another EU country.  Lovely!

SO, JUST to be EMPLOYED here all of the above has to be completed perfectly and totally IN ORDER to be HIRED anywhere.    David completed this unimaginable feat in less than ONE week and 2 days.

I knew he was good for something!!!  😉