How I FINALLY opened my bank account in France 🇫🇷

ig @damondominique
my french course: courses.damondominique.com
I GOT 99 PROBLEMS AND FRENCH BUREAUCRACY ACCOUNTS FOR ALL OF THEM. On the bright side, let me just thank French bureaucracy for helping me get my 10,000 steps in for all of those unnecessary trips back and forth to various banks in Paris. I never thought it would be this difficult to simply spend money.
💶 SEGMENTS IN THIS VIDEO 💶
0:00 Why won’t France just take my money?
0:51 Why it’s so hard for Americans specifically to open bank accounts abroad
3:00 My detailed experience trying to open a bank account in Paris
15:10 Tips for getting your bank account + if you’re a student + maneuvering these systems + other random issues I ran into during this process
How I finally got my apartment in Paris → • How I FINALLY got my a...
American Expats in Paris Facebook Group → groups/uspar...
#DamonDominique #Paris #France

[@Joy-qd4mm]

if a French person is watching this and is struggling to open a bank account: law dictates that if 3 different banks refuse you their services, the national bank (Banque de France) will force the nearest bank to your appartement to open you an account :) -A French student studying economics in France.

[@bibaoreo4355]

Ok merci, mais tu pouvais juste le dire en français alors mdrr

[@Joy-qd4mm]

Biba Oreo mdr de ouf oops

[@amirasou1738]

Only for french people?

[@kalfch1]

@@amirasou1738 No, for anyone

[@amirasou1738]

@@kalfch1 oh that's so cool ! Thank you

[@damondominique]

I need yoga.

[@lalag8391]

Damon Dominique me 2

[@kialeih5645]

Mood

[@onthecomet2802]

But you would need three different documents to even sign on a yoga class

[@minnie4291]

Yoga With Adriene is my fave!!

[@xxx942012]

Pleaee do a vid if u gonna start yoga 😊

[@naidebetis692]

This is why french people are mad all the time bureaucracy is awful here.

[@Prisciakibibi]

agreed!

[@melissamelo4518]

tout à fait mdr

[@saratomato1889]

HONEYYY that’s just the tip of iceberg

[@coukier]

Worse than Stalin USSR!

[@youpihat]

Bureaucracy Paper Work aux USA est encore encore PIRE que La FRANCE !

[@lisalaccitiello7438]

you look so good its distracting

[@sonyaemen7225]

Yes. I can’t concentrate on negative while he’s being so cute. Doesn’t work

[@mahimaw5503]

IFKR

[@mariebourgot4949]

@@theaileenwilson ^^

[@kierandegrada2573]

This is better than HBO

[@mossmoss2019]

Kieran DeGrada ofc!!

[@kialeih5645]

Me: wants to move to France Damon: you thought this would be fun?

[@damondominique]

YOU CALL THIS FUN? But I'll admit: most of my problems are because I'm self-employed!

[@moefag]

Even french peoples struggle... I can't imagine how painful it must be if you're foreigner on top of that. So good luck! And don't give up :)

[@KinkajusRevenge]

@@damondominique True. It's easier when you already have a job. Coming in as an au pair, I had no problems getting an account. My banker even gave me a free Pikachu skin for my bank card! XD

[@mariebourgot4949]

@@KinkajusRevenge ^^

[@mck0612]

Throwing in a pickup line to the cute bank employee in the middle of a rant about bureaucratic red tape is the most on-brand Damon Dominique thing I've ever heard

[@mariebourgot4949]

Totally! ^^

[@miehiiep]

I LIIIIIVE for these rantssss they are soo RAW and HONEST and FUNNYYYYY

[@Wee.low1]

RAWWW RAWW RAW

[@celiaaudibert7909]

You know what’s funny: every French citizen opening a bank account nowadays needs to sign a paper saying they are not American or they will to deal with the IRS

[@Gwenangels]

AND We have to declare accounts we have outside of France...

[@har7976]

My friend it is not just in France. I remember opening bank account in my country; Malaysia back in 2013 . I needed to do the same.

[@loridelia8806]

Andipo Thank you President Obama

[@bianca-elenaduduman9094]

@@npineapple3077 Not in Romania :D

[@iiAngelic]

I don't understand. Are you saying that as an EU & American citizen, or they deal with the IRS?

[@rc9272]

No wonder everyone there is so skinny, they have to go back dozens of time to get anything done

[@mariebourgot4949]

^^

[@_.iamhoneey7826]

Lmaoo who's skinny ? We're not skinny though especialy me i'm *T H I C K*

[@gecko7167]

You can make the most irrelevant, uninteresting topics to me sound funny, entertaining, interesting and useful. That's a really worthy skill.

[@mariebourgot4949]

Exactly! :)

[@sarahdunn4060]

Honestly bravo for sticking it out because adulting is hard enough when you live in your home country lmao. I probably would've had a mental breakdown if I had to jump through all these ridiculous hoops 😂

[@EMSpdx]

When I lived in France, I hired an agency to help handle this nonsense. It was absolutely worth it.

[@sasagi1871]

Edith Spencer hello Edith, can you please tell me the name of the agency?

[@EMSpdx]

@@sasagi1871 Adrian Leeds Group, which is geared towards Americans.

[@agentnine3973]

How much did it cost?

[@fanfoona6608]

@@EMSpdx ^ Yeah how much did that cost you?

[@EMSpdx]

@@fanfoona6608 At the time ot was like $200 or so. It may be more given inflation.

[@almadelatierra5153]

You in 5 years: How I got my french citizenships and gave up my american

[@anakomova1554]

In 10 years

[@monkigear2177]

FRENCH GOVERNMENT: - I do enjoy seeing Damon and his life in Paris - I do enjoy seeing Damon and his life in Paris - I do enjoy seeing Damon and his life in Paris .... - I do enjoy seeing Damon and his life in Paris

[@leeccedxntesiiast6]

Me: *dreams of living in France since I was in sixth grade* Damon: lemme stop you right there

[@DReid-ry9ff]

Exactly

[@KinkajusRevenge]

No, no.. it's worth it though

[@avalonindigo6291]

LOL.. right!?!!

[@TELLViSiON]

KinkajusRevenge it seems so as Damon keep coming back anyway 😅

[@MrNxou]

damon said that because. You need more POWWEEEEEEEER. Just fill the paperwork, get patient, fill the paperwork, avoid scam, fill the paperwork. And u might end up paying billions of taxes. With an ok health system. And food. Maybe dont try paris.

[@Neylena]

That leather jacket coordinating with the couch and the undershirts with the fireplace and exposed beam ceiling - okkk so aesthetic!

[@francescaboni]

Hi Damon, I just wanted to give you a heads up because now you might have some issues with Adsense. I opened my YT channel in Canada without a Canadian bank account (it was only an exchange year), so I could never collect the money from the Adsense revenue since you cannot change the country of an Adsense account. Therefore, you need to open the Adsense account with a new email and connect the YT channel to the new Adsense account if you want to receive the YT money on the French bank account. Hope it makes sense, it took me ages to figure it out and I don't want you to go through the same.

[@cindyashes]

So freaking true and relatable - i feel you. As a foreigner, my worst nightmares living in France are the never ending amount of paperwork needed and time waiting, praying for things to get done! Recently just got my Carte Vitale ( health insurance card ) but only after 18 months... Bon courage!

[@KinkajusRevenge]

omg I'm never going to get that. A year and a half, and I'm still on step 1: opening my account.

[@mlu007]

So basically you've had a taste of French customer service.

[@freepalestine7687]

mlu007 🤣

[@il3077]

My friend and I saw you in Paris and I literally just stared shocked in your face whilst you were on the phone aoahakgakaba I’m sorry for that ! Hi! I love your videos and wish I had said something lmaooo

[@brunoxo]

you really didn't have to go through all that, you could've just showered at his place lmfaoo

[@mariebourgot4949]

^^

[@kialeih5645]

Your video editing >>

[@isabellatronolone2332]

I’m living abroad in Korea right now, and I FEEL YOU on shit like this. Living abroad is so awesome, but it also gave me VIP access to the struggle bus

[@1021Marcy]

I too live in Korea. For the past 3 years. I can relate to his videos in a dark humour kind of way.

[@trinity3834]

Damon saying “got em!” after a pick up line is everything 😂

[@mariebourgot4949]

True. ^^

[@gecko7167]

THIS IS THE MOST SURPRISING VIDEO EVER TO BE EVEN REMOTELY FUNNY. LIKE I DIED WHEN U WERE TALKING ABOUT THE DUDE WHO DIPPED THE BANK !!!!! LMAOOO

[@mariebourgot4949]

Damon would do that. Can make everything funny, even painful and/or mundane ones. ^^

[@allisoncallahan2633]

The color coordination...

[@Sarah-mu1bs]

The french doing you dirty is honestly the most entertaining thing 😂

[@aichafirst]

Listening to this stressed me out because I can relate. Saying French bureaucracy is a nightmarish hellscape is an understatement.

[@MeliYT]

“People are just making up rules” 😂😂🤣 I feel for you Damon. Hang in there.

[@swicheroo1]

In Spain, I would show up at the banking hours...and the banks would still be closed...because let's just make lunch keep going...

[@8Frostie]

hhahahahahahahah I'm Spanish and this is freakin true

[@alexispillay79]

I am loving this new format and aesthetic

[@miehiiep]

Ugh I'm always so early on you on accident but honestly like I don't even need the comment section to entertain me when your videos are extremely entertaining by themself omggggg I stan

[@KaileeWalters]

the colors in this video are fab. cozy!!!

[@shannonsmith6402]

your editing just made my day! I love how apologetically creative you are. thank you for all the advice that you readily share with all of us

[@Apsuliini]

This was hilarious, you are my new fav youtuber! A breath of fresh air

[@elujane]

And yes I can feel your struggle in France as an American, I studied there for 4 years and I can relate to everything you said

[@yolandam.3272]

I just got my 10 years visa and damn I feel reborn ,a free soul ready to live and love in France.

[@hadassah1882]

I’m living for this ratio on your video, it looks so cool!

[@avenoah5195]

Love your videos so informative ❤️❤️

[@sannahsadiq603]

Who is following les péripéties de Damon since the ig storyss !

[@damondominique]

me, unfortunately

[@Mussasita]

I've recently moved to Paris for a temporary job and this video is so relatable!! French bureaucracy doesn't make any sense!!

[@annastayziaa]

thank you SO much for sharing!!

[@mi3137]

the timestamps are a+ ball game. best i've seen, period. we love damon and jo

[@valerincorcino3095]

Yes We Want You To Stay In Paris

[@annabellecrossley6525]

Having also recently opened a French bank account in Paris, I relate to this on so many levels. Took 2 months for my account to be opened, then my card didn't even work and I had to wait for another. I never thought it was possible to love and hate a place so much at the the same time.

[@nedraljames8619]

I LOVE your videos. So helpful and entertaining. Keep doing what you're doing!!!

[@avalonindigo6291]

Praying that things go smoother for you and March with your Visa is a breeze!

[@allknight2923]

This is so true, as an international living & working in France, it took me ages to close my french account, I kept emailing my account manager for since August 2019, I just called them last week again to close my account... it's a new level of frustration

[@jimmychill1419]

I'm moving to Paris on March for work reasons, and these past couple of videos of yours are just scaring the shiiiiiiiiiiit out of me :(!!!!

[@paige6180]

Best of luck!!!

[@miruna567]

these videos are the epitome of AMAZING QUALITY AND TOP NOTCH HUMOUR, i'm in love

[@annieherington5640]

Good luck Damon

[@TheBarbieViolet]

"this dude is modern and cool and knows how to use email" is basically the French in one sentence. I love the "let's save the planet" PAPER LETTERS But for real though, that whole "bank account" thing is so stupid. A friend of mine was turned down at multiple banks for over a month for all of the reasons you listed, it's stupid af. And me, I was "lucky" to have the first bank I walked into (which was, unfortunately, Société Générale) to open an account for me. I too had to fill out a bunch of forms even though I'm not American. And they gave me the card before giving the PIN code which is like.. what?! And then there's my funny story. The letter with the code secret failed to reach the mailbox for whatever reason, so like two weeks later I go to their office to ask for help and what they say is....... we can't help you because we're not YOUR agency. That was a new concept to me, I must say. And I also moved so I had to travel around Paris to Issy-les-Moulineaux to ask them to send me a new code secret. But since my salary was on that card and I had to wait for at least one more week and I didn't have any money, I asked them to cash me out some money from the account, to which they said, we're sorry, but we don't have money here, please, go to a different office. I was getting angry, but okay, I go to another office and there they say "we're sorry, but we're not your agency, go back" I was soooooooooo mad After I came back the lady started to apologize and gave me some money from the account. I've also had funny situations with CAF. They asked me to send them my revenues from 2018. Wtf? I'm not French, I came here in 2019 and I'm leaving in 2020 WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY I MADE TWO YEARS AGO????????????????????????????????????????????????? I'm sorry for this little rent. The system really gets to me And thanks for the video, nice to have someone to relate to, especially to someone who has been in Paris for quite a while

[@glue000]

I feel this so hard! As an expat in Germany, I couldn't open a bank account until I had a lease with my name on it. I, like you, was in temporary housing at first that was not in my name. Of course, I couldn't get paid at work until I had a bank account. So my supervisor calls the local bank branch (this is a small town) and explains my situation, and asks very respectfully if they could please begin processing my account given that I will have a lease very soon. They miraculously agree! So I get there, and the lovely, small-town German teller has never opened an account for an American before. But we're chugging along until she goes to the printer to get the forms I need to fill out. She comes back and says "when I put that you are American in to the system, all these American tax forms printed out and I have no idea why or what to do with them. But why don't you just fill them out incase and we'll see what happens." I'm like... not really wanting to give all this private information "just incase", but also don't want to admit that I also have no clue, so I agree that this seems like something the American government would do and fill them out. She tells me she'll get things started and that I need to come back as soon as I get a signed lease. Course finding an apartment is a whole other story, but I come back with the signed lease and it works! I received not one, but three or four separate activation codes in the mail (one for the atm, one for online banking, one for transfers...). Good times! I get mad flashbacks watching these videos.

[@draum8103]

Things in France required to get a French bank account: residence and utility bill with your name on it. Things in France required to get a residence and utility bill with your name on it: French bank account. They make it an impossible loop on purpose just to make it impossible for foreigners, how nice...

[@abbiekaric8949]

I enjoyed this so much.

[@got2bjosh]

Saw an ad on KZbin for Damon's French courses & had never seen someone like him teach a language. Such a refreshingly funny & conversational teaching style. Checked out his channel & have not been disappointed. Also loved that he referenced Aaliyah and Corinne Bailey Rae.

[@life_with_ty12]

Love your video

[@miehiiep]

Nice glasses

[@michaylaben-ezra2419]

This is the content I never knew I needed!

[@Lula19S]

I never turn notifications on for youtube channels because lets be real its just not necessary and youtube can be super distracting from my priorities. HOWEVER, I just turned my notification bell on for your youtube channel! Priorities - - -I don't know her! You're so relatable (were the same age so it helps) and your stories are so captivating. I'm over here laughing, gasping and grinning from your stories. Also your editing is on point, like netflix style youtube videos. xxx from Canada!

[@rachelurbano8281]

imagine how hard it will be to close a french account. i had a friend who lived in france a bit and then when he came back they wouldn’t let him close his account because he owed 7 cents.

[@itsgabbieagain]

😂😂😂

[@JulietteTLin]

Omg hahah I studied abroad in France and they are really so slow and relaxed about everything but glad you finally got it sorted with some persistent. Also, when I was in France, the government actually gave money back on my rent as an incentive to live there so maybe you can get that too and it’ll all be worth your hassles 😂

[@louisoncassarino8619]

Honestly kudos to sticking through the process! The French admin nightmare is one of the many reasons I was so happy to move from Paris to Singapore ! It's like living in the future over here

[@sistineangela2136]

I’m proud of you Damon😭

[@Minidask]

thanks for this absolutely relatable content. as an european citizen, my life should be easier, but it is stilllll super hard with the bureaucracy when moving to other countries in europe. probably easier than being an american. still super hard in some european countries. love it though.

[@sarahrowand2766]

The fact that you are still positive despite THE ABSOLUTE SHIT U WENT THROUGH is awe-inspiring

[@wildspace814]

This is honestly like one of my favorite videos:)

[@thqnhvy]

you remind us that life is anything but easy which is so comforting because sometimes we think we’re the only ones who have to deal with frustrating bs like that but you still put a comedic touch to it which shows that we don’t have to take ourselves so serious and that anything can be turned into a good old entertaining story. thank you for your content ❤️ (if this comment doesn’t secure your talent visa, then i don’t know what will)

[@eladicocco]

europe being a burocratic mess whats new

[@estelaespinos3063]

uk is the same or worse even if theyre like "no we're not europe we are more advanced" lmaoooooooooo

[@soumayahedhili9649]

In the Nordic countries most services are much easier and digitalized 😎 I live in Norway it’s pretty easy here, I went to France to help my sis move to study there, and gosh!! The terrible bureaucracy killed me, doing simple things like banc account, SIM card etc was hell we almost cried 😂

[@dansasuk]

Estela Espinós i literally opened a bank account 2 days after moving into the country WITHOUT A SINGLE PROBLEM!! 😂😂😂

[@eladicocco]

@Sabrina i live in spain at the moment, as a EU citizen, and still had and have to do a ridiculous amount or paper work to be able to get a job and even rent an appartment

[@lou108]

I’m German... it’s hell

[@emilieduncan7917]

...I moved to Australia after living in Spain, where it took several months to open a bank account. I opened a bank account in Australia in 5 minutes. I was so confused at how easy it was, I walked across the street into different bank and opened a second account.

[@vistapri9290]

Thank you so much for the video. I'm a foreigner in France as well. Video is very helpful. Your video on renting an apartment was super helpful as well.

[@brooke5951]

The way Damon says “GOT EM” gives me the biggest smile!! I WAS BEAMING while just listening to this vid at the gym. Ray of sunshine, thank u always - Ur content is stupid good!!

[@valentinelaval1874]

Hahaha l'administration française, quel bonheur !

[@liverin5440]

Are we gonna talk abt how long this must have taken to edit?! Give him a break France!!!

[@ariellet699]

i felt so so happy for you at the end

[@Maeva999]

I love your video, I went through this too with banks, then I go online to N26. I did first a mistake with the thumb but yes right now I put a thumb up. ⭐️

[@CyrionWillems]

For your next adventure you should go and try to live in Japan. You’ll be able to tell some stories to top this one 😉

[@katiajannai2142]

Damon really ran a train over my dreams of living in Paris💀

[@nicho3301]

I live in Paris and I've never had these problems to open a bank account, but nearly every government / private service I had to deal with had annoying pitfalls and hoops I needed to jump. Everything you shared is SO relatable!

[@ninonikolishvili8405]

Thanks for being sincere about all the info that u share with us, listening to your videos is really helpfull to guess what it really looks like to try to move to paris... u're doing a great job, thank you honestly👍👍👍

[@amarmarouf]

This low-key makes me want to go to France now though...

[@Alexandra_939]

L'administration française in a nutshell

[@evelynmagana6636]

Can’t wait to see your next video!!

[@Bondisaurus]

Oh wow!!! My head is spinning. All those hoops you had to jump through! 😬 You did so well Damon.

[@onthecomet2802]

That may be why there is so many tax evasion... It's not that our richest people don't want to pay, it's because it's too hard to open an account ! It's easier for them to put it in Switzerland or something.

[@im.m]

Me considering moving to Paris Me after watching damons video: nope

[@shaylafrahm961]

Those glasses!! thanks for making my Friday!

[@anm6462]

My partner and I say that it is amazing to live in France during the weekend but it is a nightmare during the week. I'm so glad you popped up in my recommendations because you, monsieur, are great!

[@laporchatanzale]

Chileeeee this stressed me out and it's not even my bank account or card. 😂😂

[@0Xss0fr]

I'm so evil I can't wait for the video where he needs to move and his internet provider starts its shenanigans. Or when his green healthcare card doesn't arrive. Or when he needs to officially declare what he makes as a freelancer, and to do so needs to create a "micro-entreprise" and then deal with "l'URSSAF". Those will be fun videos...But I also feel bad for you, and I apologize for our administration and paperwork: hang in there!

[@mariebourgot4949]

Trop! ^^

[@workofivory]

Your skin looks so good @13:06! Also this color coordination 👌🏻

[@wyotajo]

Yay! Love your videos. Keep posting please

[@ProgrammedToFunction]

While dealing with an insane system like this I got a friend to photoshop my name and address on some bills and used those 😂 Worked like a charm though 😉

[@elsamalonzo4188]

You got your activation card!!! YAY!! LOL :)...beaucoup travaille :(

[@minx9945]

Damon, you stress me out, but I love you and these videos

[@gazpi76]

Of course! I got it. Orange is the color. Thanks a lot. It's never been cooler

[@swiftieforever9793]

So I go the atm .......... I forgot my card The way I screamed

[@mzkyorke]

Yeah, I don't wanna live in France. What the hell? I am stressed and it's not even me!

[@strawwberryyy]

I'm depressed and watching your videos is one of the only things that genuinely make me happy

[@DJ-fh5nx]

Sadly so relatable!!! It's so ridiculous! I went through a similar process when I lived in France and found that the only way to get things done was to visit the bank multiple times, email, hassle them, and be super assertive. Congrats on getting your bank account open!