In France, the business bank account isn't a formality — it's a formation prerequisite: without deposited and certified share capital, no company registration. The problem: most French banks won't open accounts for founders without French residency. Here's how to solve the chicken-and-egg problem remotely.
Why the account is the critical path
The French formation logic chains three steps:
- Deposit the share capital (from €1 for SARL/SAS, €37,000 for an SA) into a French account
- Receive the deposit certificate (certificat de dépôt)
- Only then: registration with the commercial register (RCS)
No account, no certificate, no company. And that's exactly where non-residents get stuck.
The hurdles at traditional banks
Established houses like BNP Paribas or Société Générale typically require:
- Appearing in person at a branch
- A French address and sometimes proof of residence
- Documents in French — business plan included
- Patience: weeks to months of processing, with a real rejection rate for foreigners
For a founder in Berlin or Vienna, that means trips to France, translations, and uncertainty — before the company even exists.
The remote solution
The practical route runs through banking partners built for non-residents:
- Submit documents digitally: passport, proof of address, details of the planned company
- An account with a French IBAN is opened remotely — no travel, no branch appointment
- Deposit the share capital, receive the certificate
- Proceed to registration — the full process is in our France formation guide
Clevver bundles account, formation, and a business address in Paris into one package — the entire process runs online. A personal quote is available via the contact form.
Required documents (checklist)
- High-resolution passport copy of every shareholder/director
- Recent proof of address (utility bill, max. 3 months old)
- Business purpose and planned activity (a short description usually suffices)
- After formation: articles and RCS extract for converting to the ongoing company account
KYC questions about the source of funds are standard — quick, complete answers keep the process short.
France vs. Germany: account hurdles compared
| | France | Germany | |---|---|---| | Account needed before formation? | yes (capital certificate) | yes (GmbH/UG share capital) | | Branch banks for non-residents | very restrictive | restrictive | | Remote solution available | yes | yes (guide) | | Language | French dominates | German, partly English |
FAQ
Can I deposit the share capital into a German account? No — for the French formation, the deposit must go into a French account and be certified there.
How long does the remote account opening take? With complete documents, typically a few days to two weeks — instead of weeks to months at branch banks.
Do I need a French managing director for the account? No. The gérant can live abroad too; what matters is clean KYC documentation.
What comes after the formation? The capital account converts into the ongoing business account with a French IBAN — including cards and online banking for daily use.