Alice N. Says:
How do I deal with utility bills in France?
IL France Correspondent Tuula Rampont Says:
Hi Alice,
There are various ways to pay utility and other regularly reoccurring bills. Most people pay by prélèvement automatique (direct debit) from their French bank account.
To set one up, the payee will request a relevé d’identité bancaire (RIB), a tear-out form in the back of a French checkbook that lists account and bank numbers. For its part, the bank requires a written request for the prélèvement automatique. The money you owe is then automatically taken out of your bank account each payment period.
Another method is to pay with a titre interbancaire de paiement (TIP). This alerts your bank to pay the other party’s bank. To do this, you must send the TIP together with an RIB. This slip includes your bank account numbers and your bank’s identification numbers as well.
You may also pay by check. If you want to pay with cash, go to the post office and obtain a money order. You can also pay at the post office; a small fee will be added to the amount of the bill. Orange (formerly France Télécom) will accept Carte Bleue and most foreign credit cards at its offices.
For more practical advice on everyday life here in France, check out Escape to France—our in-depth guide to everything you need to know.
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