[mierz00]

I have a similar story in France. Closing an account with Caisse d’Epargne was nothing short of pure torture.

Luckily, I didn’t actually have to go in, but the process took me nearly 6 months of back and forth, multiple phone calls, multiple hand written letters. Yes, France loves hand written letters, no you cannot type it.

Every now and then I think it would be nice to return and live in France, but the thought of having to deal with French administration has vaccinated me for life.

[DownGoat]

It's so easy in Norway. When you start a new relationship with another bank, they just offer to move all your money and automatic bill payments from the other bank to your new bank. So the new bank handles everything

[Cthulhu_]

Similar in the Netherlands (idk about banking, but), nowadays if you move house, you just make an appointment at the local county hall and set your new address; the old county is informed, and a lot of companies that bill you regularly (e.g. utilities, health insurance, etc) will automatically reroute any mail to your new address.

I'm glad for that too; mail is pretty much dead, I wouldn't know what organizations to report an address change to nowadays.

[michalpleban]

Yes, it's similar with banking, you just use OverstapService.nl and they will automatically switch all your direct debits to your new account. Worked for me like a charm when I switched banks, of around two dozen direct debits only one failed to transfer properly.

[DownGoat]

Yeah same process in Norway when you move. Fill in a form online and all mail is rerouted, and companies will update records.

[benhurmarcel]

Sounds like your experience was some time ago. Banking with “traditional” banks is still slow and bureaucratic, but not to that point. And online banks let you do everything online quickly.

[mierz00]

I wouldn’t call 2020 that long ago. But you’re right my main mistake was not going with an online bank at the time.

That being said, French administration sucks overall. The amount of paperwork required is insane.

Like the time my wife and I got married. Her paperwork was straightforward however I was born in a different country to my nationalities. This just did not compute for them. 10 months later including travelling overseas to get the documents, they call my wife to tell her they lost our file and we need to start again!

Haha the thought of bulldozing the town hall came to mind. Luckily they found them not long after.