Opening a French bank account from UK

[DaineseMan]

I run a luxury travel business in the UK and would like to open a French bank account for the purpose of receiving direct transfers from our French clients. I need a domestic account so that these transfers can be instant. As opposed to UK customers, French clients are open to the idea of paying via this method in exchange for the discount i can offer that reflect the absence of the credit card transaction costs.
Can anyone advise or guide me to the rules associated with opening a business account there? Do you have to be there in person to open one? Do the EU free market provisions make the process easier in any way?

[rdjohn]

I honestly don't know the answer to your question. My main concern would be that if you receive the money in France you may technically become a business in France and I am certain that you would want to avoid that, as it will cost you way more than 4.5% card transaction fees.

There is no reason why you personally could not have a French bank account. I suggest that you contact http://www.britline.com They will be able to explain what services they are able to offer you and I guess that would be pretty much the same for any other French bank.

I effectively do the opposite to you, receiving payments from UK customers into my UK account. Although I am French resident for tax purposes, I still have a home in the UK and pay plenty of tax there also, but the HMRC has no interest in my French enterprise.

[PottyMouth]

Certain banks will let you open an account with an address in the UK. La Banque Postale is one.

BNP Paribas has a branch in London - maybe they will also be able to help.

[smifffymoto]

Open a HSBC premier account in the UK,then you can open a HSBC Euro account,you don't necessarily have to have a French account but it is possible.

[smifffymoto]

The French love paying by Virement as it doesn't carry a fee,like cheques.

Dianeseman why no link to your company on your profile page?

[smegmore]

You could also try Credit Mutuel, I still have my account from when I lived in France and no problem to continue with it now I've left.