What is the right to an account?

The right to an account makes the possibility to open a bank account and to access basic banking services a guarantee.

A bank can refuse to open a bank account for you without having to justify its decision. In such cases, it must inform the applicant of the possibility of referring the matter to the Banque de France to benefit from the right to an account. The Banque de France can then designate a financial institution.

• The possibility of opening, maintaining and closing the account
• A payment card (for Internet transactions and cash withdrawals throughout the European Union)
• Bank account details which can be downloaded at any time
• The reception of incoming transfers
• The possibility to set up recurring direct debits
• Payments via debit or SEPA transfer from our application or the N26 website
• Monthly account statements
• Remote account access via our application or the N26 website

As N26 is a mobile bank, we are not able to offer the possibility to make cash deposits or withdrawals, chèque cashing or bank checks.

If a bank refuses to open an account for you, it must, if you request it, give you a "certificate of refusal" about the account opening.

This document contains the reason for the refusal and is crucial to your request for the right to an account. This request can be made in 3 ways:

• The bank that refused to open an account for you can apply for the right to an account on your behalf, free of charge, after asking you for all the supporting documents and having you fill out an application form for the right to the account
• You can do this yourself by making an appointment with the Banque de France or by making an online request (new tab)
• Your departmental council, your welfare office or associations/foundations (to be found on a list published on the Banque de France website) can also make this request for you.

In addition to the denial letter mentioned above, you will need to provide the following:

• A copy of a valid ID document
• Proof of residence less than three months old (or proof of legal residence in another EU member state if you are a foreign national)
• If the request is about your professional activity - a document attesting to this activity less than three months old

More information regarding the right to an account can be found on the website of the Banque de France (new tab). You may also consult the guide on the right to account (new tab).