Updated on: June 23, 2026 | Article No: 341 | By: @rprasanth_kumar
If you’re searching for a free French bank account with no monthly fees, BoursoBank (formerly Boursorama Banque) is one of the best choices in France. It’s been ranked as the country’s cheapest bank for over 16 years and is the largest digital bank in Europe. I’ve used BoursoBank as my primary bank account in France since 2018, and I haven’t paid any regular banking fees since. If you’re still paying charges to your current bank, this switch can save you money almost immediately.
If you have any questions, please feel free to use the comments section at the end of this article.
Learn more about Banking, Savings and Investments in France,
- If you want a deeper look at French savings accounts, read this guide:
Types of Savings Accounts in France and Interest rates - For a personal view of long-term banking and investments, here’s my own portfolio review: My Personal Savings and Investment Portfolio Audit – India & France
Why BoursoBank is a top choice in France?
Many people choose BoursoBank because it combines low cost with ease of use. Here’s what makes it appealing:
- Free savings/current account.
- Free international debit card.
- Smooth, app-based account management.
- Strong financial backing as part of Société Générale.
- Consistently ranked the lowest-cost bank in France
If you’re new to French banking or simply want to avoid fees, this is one of the simplest options.
Get up to 220€ as a Welcome Bonus
BoursoBank offers one of the best bank account opening bonuses in France. You can receive up to €220 total bonus when opening your first individual bank account (not a joint or business account), if you meet these conditions:
Main conditions to unlock the full bonus:
- Make an initial deposit of at least €300.
- Use your bank card at least once per month for 3 months.
- Complete a bank transfer service (EasyMove) within 30 days.
- All transactions must be done from this new account
Welcome Bonus Breakdown
- €60 Welcome Bonus: Paid within 2 months after account opening.
- Up to €40 Deposit Bonus (based on your first deposit): Paid within 7 days (max 2 months)
- €10 → deposit between €1–€49
- €20 → deposit between €50–€299
- €40 → deposit ≥ €300
- Remaining bonus (up to €120): Depends on meeting all conditions (card usage + EasyMove)
How to open your BoursoBank Account (step-by-step)?
Opening an account only takes a few minutes and can be done entirely online. Here are the steps,
✅ Step 1: Start the application via boursobank.com/ouvrir-un-compte and my referral information will be automatically pre-filled in your BoursoBank account opening process.
✅ Step 2: Enter your personal details like identity, contact information, and basic profile details.
✅ Step 3: You’ll receive an SMS with a link to download the BoursoBank mobile app.
✅ Step 4: Complete the process in the app. Upload your documents and follow the steps until submission. Verification usually takes a couple of days and sometimes upto 2-3 weeks.
Once approved, make your first transfer to receive your account opening bonus. If the referral link does not work, you can use the referral code PRRA2704.
Documents required to open an account with BoursoBank
Prepare the following documents before you start the account opening process explained above,
✅ A valid ID proof: passport and residence permit. Unfortunately, visas pasted on passports and any temporary documents like APS RECE are not accepted at the moment.
✅ Most recent Proof of address: rent slip, utility bill, rental contract, or similar. Same as explained on Address proof documents for Resident Permits: Justificatif de domicile
✅ A RIB from your existing French bank account for verification but they do not accept the IBANs from CCF (formerly HSBC France), Revolut, N26, Wise, and Orange Bank.
✅ Most recent proof of income: French salary slip, tax return, etc.
Having everything ready ensures a smooth application process.
Some disadvantages of BoursoBank
BoursoBank is excellent for most people, but there are a few limitations:
✅ Customer service does not provide English language support.
✅ Cheques must be mailed to the bank for deposit.
If you rarely deal with physical cheques and you’re comfortable with some basic French, these points may not affect you. Almost all banking activities can be done via their mobile applicaion or the website.
Here are some more options, Opening a Bank Account in France
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DISCLAIMER
This post isn’t affiliated with BoursoBank. I’ve used the bank since 2018 and recommend it based on my own experiences. The referral code is part of BoursoBank’s regular referral program and gives a bonus to both parties if used. It doesn’t influence the content of this article.
Any finance-related information shared is not professional legal, tax, or investment advice. The information provided is of an educational and general nature and is not investment advice within the meaning of Articles L. 321-1 and D. 321-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code. Investment carries risks of loss and past performance does not guarantee future performance. Please consult a financial advisor for any professional advice.