What is ‘TIN’ number French bank is requesting?
It is related to taxation, and not social security
You likely already have this number if you are a resident in France
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Reader Question: My English-speaker French bank advisor asked me for my ‘TIN’ number, but I do not know what this is? Is it the same as in the USA?
In Europe, a ‘TIN’ number is your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or in French, numéro d'identification fiscale (NIF).
Most European countries have a TIN in place, under various local names.
Unlike in the US where a TIN is for people who cannot obtain a Social Security Number (such as irregular residents), in Europe it is the catch-all term for a person’s tax number, and not restricted to non-residents or other groups.
In France, this is known as the numéro fiscal, which is likely what your bank is requesting.
This is a unique 13-digit number, and is not the same as a social security number, which you obtain when signing up to the French healthcare system.
Read more: How to get a social security number and carte Vitale in France
If you are registered in the French tax system, you should already have a numéro fiscal.
All taxpayers in France have one, including people who do not pay income tax but do pay another tax such as taxe foncière or taxe d’habitation.
It is found at the top-left of your avis d’imposition tax statements, in a box headed ‘vos références’.
If you do not have one, for example because you have only recently moved to France and have not yet made a declaration or paid property tax, if you are a full-time resident you can ask your local tax office to create one for you.
Alternatively, you can ask for one online via the French Tax website.
Read more: How do I get a numéro fiscal to access the French tax site?
