Non residents can often open a French business account, but the conditions are stricter. The business usually must be registered in France with a registered office and a SIREN or SIRET number, identity is verified for all directors and beneficial owners, and some traditional banks are more cautious with owners based abroad.
- Can a non resident open
- Often yes, for a French registered company with a registered office. Some traditional banks are more cautious.
- Typical timeline
- Often a few business days for neobanks, and longer at traditional banks for complex structures
- Core documents
- SIREN or SIRET number, Kbis extract, plus passports and identity for all directors and beneficial owners
- Most providers
- Several business accounts
General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.
What non residents can do in France
The key point is that an account follows a registered French business, not the residency of the owner. A non resident who registers a company in France, with a SIREN number, a Kbis extract and a registered office, can often apply. The friction is in identity verification and, at some traditional banks, caution about owners based abroad. The exact position varies, so confirm with the provider.
Register the business first
Before a non resident can open an account, the business usually needs to be registered in France. A company registers to receive a SIREN number and a Kbis extract, maintains a registered office in France, and a new company deposits its share capital. As of 20 May 2026, a SIREN or SIRET number is commonly required to open a business account, and some neobanks such as Qonto offer the capital deposit online. Confirm the route and requirements with the provider and a qualified adviser.
Identity and provider differences
All directors and beneficial owners are identity verified, often with passports and proof of address. As of 20 May 2026, neobanks such as Qonto, Shine and Blank may onboard non resident owners of a French company online, while some traditional banks ask for more steps or are more cautious. The position is unclear case by case, so verify with the provider.
What a non resident usually needs
If you are a non resident opening a business account in France, prepare these items, as of 20 May 2026. Verify with the provider
- A French registered business with a SIREN or SIRET number, a Kbis extract and a registered office in France.
- Passports and proof of identity and address for all directors and beneficial owners.
- Confirmation of whether the provider accepts owners based abroad and any extra checks it requires.
How a non resident can proceed
- Register the French business and obtain the SIREN number and Kbis extract, with a qualified adviser where the structure is complex.
- Check each provider for any condition on owners based abroad before applying.
- Confirm current eligibility, documents and timelines with the provider, since the position varies case by case.
Compare business accounts available in France
These providers serve business customers in France. Eligibility for non resident owners varies by provider, so confirm your case qualifies. Fees shown as of 20 May 2026. Verify current terms with the provider before applying.
Compare business accounts →Questions about business banking in France
Can a non resident open a business account in France?
Does the business need to be registered in France?
Can a non resident deposit share capital remotely?
How long does approval take for a non resident?
Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 20 May 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.