<i>I've had an account in a French bank for 18 years. I could have opened it in five minutes at any bank in France. All you need is some money to deposit.</i>

I don't believe that is the case anymore. The anti-terrorism rules post-9/11 have really restricted American access to foreign bank accounts. I certainly needed not just an address but a residence permit and CPR card (akin to Social Security number) to open an account in Denmark.

I know someone at work that was specifically told that non-resident Americans can't open bank accounts in Switzerland. And, if you can't open a bank account in a banking system built upon money-laundering and tax evasion, I'm not certain that you can open one in the rest of Europe.

Plus banking in Europe has changed a lot over the last 18 years.
It is now quite difficult to open an account, requiring proof of identity etc. This is all to do with stopping the black economy and whitewashing of money.
Switzerland will allow non-doms to open a Euro account, without needing to be in the country, but they charge you quite a bit for it, and even they require notarised proof of identity.
I would suggest that the OP's friend contact some European banks and ask them what if anything they offer and how she should go about opening an account with them.

StCirg's experience must have been several years ago. It's getting quite difficult for non-French resident, non-EU resident person to open an account in France, because of money laundering rules. Credit Agricole has a dedicated English-speaking service for expats, both resident and non-resident, but only allow UK or Irish resident to open non-resident account. Each bank has its own rule.

&gt;Switzerland will allow non-doms to open a Euro account, without needing to be in the country
Yes, if you can't go there personally what you need is a &quot;beglaubigte Ausweiskopie&quot;.
The cheapest bank account is available at the postbank. They charge about 2 CHF per month for everything.