Opening a Bank Account in Europe

OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT AS AN IMMIGRANT IN EUROPE

EU LAW — RIGHT TO BASIC ACCOUNT

• EU Payment Accounts Directive (2014/92/EU): everyone legally residing in EU has right to a basic bank account
• Bank CANNOT refuse based on nationality, residence status, or income level
• Includes: deposits, withdrawals, transfers, debit card, online banking

FRANCE

• Droit au compte (right to account): if refused, Banque de France designates a bank within 1 day
• Documents: ID + proof of address (even attestation d'hébergement or domiciliation associative)
• Réfugiés: récépissé OFPRA + attestation d'hébergement accepted
• Neo-banks easier: Nickel (tabac), Lydia, N26 (some require titre de séjour)
• Nickel: opens in 5 minutes at a tobacconist, passport accepted

SWEDEN

• Need personnummer for most banks (Handelsbanken, SEB, Nordea)
• Without personnummer: limited accounts available
• Coordination number (samordningsnummer) sometimes accepted
• ICA Banken, Lunar, or Wise as alternatives

GERMANY

• Basiskonto (basic account) guaranteed by law since 2016
• Documents: ID/passport + Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate)
• Refugees: BüMA or Aufenthaltsgestattung accepted at many banks
• Online banks: N26, Vivid, Tomorrow (easier process)
• Schufa not required for Basiskonto

TIPS

• If refused: cite the EU Payment Accounts Directive / national law
• In France: write to Banque de France with the refusal letter
• Keep all refusal letters as proof
• Neo-banks (N26, Revolut, Wise) often have less strict requirements