How to Open a Bank Account in the UK? A Full Guide - 2024

Looking to open a bank account in the UK? Whether you've just landed in the UK or you're planning everything ahead of your arrival, opening a bank account in the UK can be a complex process.

This article guides you through how to open an account as a non-UK resident, or when planning your relocation to the UK. We’ll cover the documents you need, the options available and the likely costs. We’ll also compare non-resident accounts from UK banks against some more user friendly solutions, such as Wise or Revolut. But more on that later. Let’s dive right in.

Key points: Online bank account opening

To open an account as a foreigner living in the UK you’ll need to prove your identity and address - banks also may need proof of income or savings
UK bank accounts are also available for non-residents through banks and non-bank alternatives like Wise and Revolut
Non-resident accounts from banks can have restrictive eligibility requirements and high minimum balances
UK bank accounts may not have ongoing fees, but transaction fees are pretty inevitable. These vary depending on how you use your account
There’s no single best UK bank account for foreigners, new arrivals and non-residents - compare a few to help you choose

What documents do I need?

To open a bank account with a UK bank you’ll need to provide proof of identity and proof of address. This usually means you’ll need the following:

Proof of identity - a valid passport, national identity card or driver’s licence for example
Proof of UK residential address - a bank or credit card statement, utility bill or tax return in your name

Providing these documents is part of a verification step needed to comply with UK legislation designed to stop fraud, money laundering and illegal account use. It helps keep accounts and customers safe - but it’s not always easy to provide this paperwork as a non-resident or new arrival in the UK.

How to open a bank account in the UK as a foreigner

There’s no legal restriction on non-residents or foreigners opening a bank account in the UK. However, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do. UK banks tend to be wary of offering accounts to non-UK residents because it makes it harder to complete legally required verification checks.

That’s why if you’d like to open a bank account in the UK you’ll usually need to provide proof of residence and a UK based address.

If you’re already in the UK the steps you’ll usually take to open a bank account are:

Choose the perfect account for your needs
Get all your documentation ready
Apply online, or in a branch in person
Submit your documents online or in a branch
Once your account is verified you’ll be able to start transacting

What do I need to know before opening a bank account in the UK?

If you have your proof of ID and residence documents prepared already, you’ll have no problem opening a bank account with a major UK highstreet bank. In many cases you’ll be able to get started online - but some banks will ask you to visit a branch to present your original paperwork. Generally all you need is:

Proof of identity
Proof of address
A completed application with all your personal details
Opening deposit - there may be a minimum deposit requirement

Can I open a bank account in the UK only with my passport?

You’re unlikely to be able to open a UK bank account with just a passport. Usually proof of address is required, even if you’re using a service which lets you open your account from overseas.

Which account is best in the UK for foreigners?

UK accounts for non-residents tend to fall into a couple of different categories:

Multi-currency accounts from online specialists
Expat accounts from major high street banks

Specialist services include financial technology companies which are not banks but which are regulated in a similar way to banks - which means that for the services they offer they’re just as safe. These options tend to be cheaper and more flexible. Expat accounts from highstreet banks are usually aimed at high wealth individuals looking for a personal banking service. Let’s take a look at a few examples:

Service	Wise	Revolut	Monese	HSBC Expat
Currencies covered	40+ currencies including GBP, USD and EUR	25+ currencies	GBP, EUR and RON	Current accounts in GBP, USD and EUR Savings accounts in 19 currencies
Open before you arrive in the UK	Yes	Yes	Available for residents of the EEA and UK	Yes
Open online	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Opening fee	£0	£0	£0	Minimum balance: £15,000 - £50,000
Fall below fee	£0	£0	£0	£15 - £35
Maintenance fee	£0	Up to £45/month	Up to £14.95/month	Waived if minimum balance is maintained
International transfers	Low fee, varies by currency	Fee varies by currency and payment value	Up to 2.5% of transfer value	Online transfers up to £5 + third party charges + exchange rate markup

Non-residents and foreigners in the UK can choose between a range of account types depending on their preferences and priorities. Multi-currency accounts allow for flexibility if you travel, send, spend or receive in a range of currencies, while expat accounts from UK banks offer a more personal service for high wealth individuals.

We’ll take a look at these options in a little more detail now.

Wise account

Wise is a financial technology company which has 12.6 million active customers around the world with low cost international payments, as well as personal and business accounts. The Wise multi-currency account is free to open, and available to non-UK residents and new arrivals. The account can be managed online or in the Wise app, and allows customers to hold 40+ currencies and exchange between them using the mid-market exchange rate with no markup. You can also send payments to 160+ countries and spend using your Wise international debit card all over the world.

Account types: Wise personal multi-currency accounts are free to open, with no minimum balance or monthly fees to pay.

Eligibility: Available to non-UK residents and new arrivals in the UK. Not all services and features are available in all locations - full details by location available on the Wise website.

How to open an account with Wise

Open a Wise account from the UK and a broad selection of other countries and regions, with your local ID and proof of address. Exactly what’s needed can vary a little depending on where in the world you are, but the basic steps are the same:

Download the Wise app and click Sign up
Enter your personal and contact information following the prompts
Upload an image of your ID and address documents
Once your account is verified you can start to transact
Click here to read a complete Wise review 2024

Go to Wise

Revolut describes itself as a financial super app, and has millions of customers in the regions it serves.

Revolut offers a broad range of account services including multi-currency functionality for 25+ currencies. You can choose between several different account types for yourself or your business, from a standard plan which has no monthly fee, to accounts with charges up to £45 a month, which unlock more features. All accounts come with some great features like a linked debit card and some weekday currency exchange which uses the Revolut exchange rate with no extra fees every month.

Account types: Personal and business accounts available. Standard plans have no monthly fees, or upgrade for up to £45/month
Eligibility: Available to new UK arrivals and non-UK residents with addresses in countries and regions including the EEA, Australia, Singapore, Switzerland, Japan, and the US.

How to open an account with Revolut

Open your Revolut account in the Revolut app in many different countries and regions, using your local ID and address documents:

Download the Revolut app and click Sign up
Enter your personal and contact information following the prompts
Upload an image of your ID and address documents
Once your account is verified you can start to transact

Go to Revolut

Monese

British company Monese is a mobile only service providing accounts and money transfer services to people resident in the UK or the EEA. That means that if you’re a non-UK resident but live in Europe, you may be able to get a Monese account.

You can choose the account plan that suits your needs, based on the features you’ll use, with paid plans unlocking more options and coming with VIP level customer service. This account doesn’t have as many currency options as those we’ve explored so far - you’ll be able to hold GBP, EUR and RON only - but you can get a linked physical or virtual card to spend around the world if you’d like to.

Account types: Accounts plans are available from free Starter accounts up to £14.95/month Premium accounts.
Eligibility: Resident in the UK or EEA, personal, joint and business accounts available.

How to open an account with Monese

If you’re eligible to open a Monese account, the easiest way to get started is in the Monese app. Here’s what to do:

Download the Monese app and click Sign up
Follow the prompts to enter your personal and contact information
Upload an image of your ID and address documents
Once your account is verified you can start to transact

Read our full Monese review or open an account by clicking the button below.
Open a Monese account

HSBC Expat

HSBC is a global banking giant and has a long history of cross border services. You can open a non-resident account through the HSBC Expat division which is based offshore, and aimed at high wealth individuals and people who live and work internationally. To qualify for an account you’ll need to meet some fairly strict criteria, including maintaining a minimum balance amount to avoid a fall-below fee. For an HSBC Premier account you’ll need a balance of £50,000 - or you have to pay in a salary of £100,000+ a year.

HSBC Expat current accounts are offered in GBP, USD and EUR, but you can also open savings account products in 19 currencies. HSBC has a service to help customers set up local bank accounts when they move to new countries - so you could open a HSBC UK account upon arrival more easily if you choose to.

Account types: Current accounts can hold GBP, EUR and USD, but savings accounts are
available in 19 global currencies.
Eligibility: Accounts come with minimum balance requirements of £15,000 to £50,000.
Is it safe? HSBC is one of the largest banks in the UK and a major global brand, fully regulated in the UK and around the world.

How to open an account with HSBC

For an HSBC Expat account you may be able to apply online if you meet certain eligibility criteria - check the details carefully before you start your application.

If you want to open an HSBC account before moving to the UK you’ll need to submit an online query and wait for a member of the HSBC team to get in touch with you. Online opening in advance of arrival is available in some circumstances, but bank staff can talk you through the options you’re eligible for based on your situation.

What is a bank account in the UK needed for?

If you’re moving to the UK, you’ll probably need to get a UK bank account to access basic services, pay rent, and arrange utilities, mobile phones and so on. GBP accounts also offer the following features:

Easy to receive payments from others in GBP
Hold GBP and other foreign currencies to make transacting internationally cheap and simple
Spend conveniently with a local bank card in the UK
Access other financial services in the UK like credit cards or loans

Benefits of opening a bank account in the UK

Having a UK bank account if you live there is helpful to limit your costs and make sure you don’t need to unnecessarily convert from GBP to your home currency or vice versa. You’re also usually required to have a UK bank account to get a mobile phone contract, set up household utilities and arrange direct debits for things like rent.

If you’re not moving to the UK, a GBP bank account can still be handy for those times you travel in the UK or spend with UK based ecommerce stores. Again, it can make life more convenient and cheaper, as you can avoid foreign transaction fees.

Can I open a bank account in the UK before arrival?

It’s tricky to open a bank account in the UK prior to arriving in the country. That’s because most UK banks need you to be able to show a UK issued proof of address.

If you want to get ahead of the game and get your GBP bank account set up before you arrive you’ll probably be better off with a specialist service like Wise or Revolut.

Can I open a bank account online?

Yes. You can open a standard UK bank account online if you have a local proof of address in the UK, and even if you don’t you might be able to get your account open by using a major bank’s international services. However, as we’ve seen, these options can come with their own drawbacks, which may make non-bank alternatives like Wise and Revolut a more straightforward option.

How long does it take to open a bank account in the UK?

If you open a bank account in the UK online you’ll be able to complete the process quickly, but you’ll then have to wait a few days for your connected card to be mailed to you. Opening an account in a branch could take longer but you should be OK to get all your account documents and card on the same day as long as verification is complete.

What are the types of bank accounts in the UK?

UK banks have spending accounts - known as current accounts - and a broad selection of savings account options. There are also international account services, foreign currency accounts and multi-currency accounts. Get familiar with the terms and the range of options by browsing the website of one of the major UK banks, to see what there is.

How to choose a bank account in the UK

Spend a bit of time researching bank account options in the UK to help you pick one. You’ll find plenty of options with no maintenance or account keeping fees, but it’s worth digging a bit deeper to make sure the bank’s costs aren’t just hidden in the transaction fees.

Banks in the UK have generally very good online and mobile banking, which means you’ll seldom need to visit a branch. However, it’s definitely worth checking if the bank you prefer has good in person, online and phone customer service which you can access easily if the self service banking options fail and you need help.

How much does it cost to open a bank account in the UK?

Unless you pick a premium account type which requires a high minimum deposit, you’ll probably find that there’s no fee for opening your UK bank account. However, with accounts which have no monthly charge, there are likely to be transaction fees, including ATM and payment fees which can be pretty steep, especially for international transactions.

It’s worth investing the time to read the account fee schedule carefully before you get started, to make sure you don’t run into any unexpected charges when you transact.

Is it possible to open a fee-free account in the UK?

It may look like you can access fee free banking in the UK, but that’s not really true. Most UK bank accounts have a selection of transaction fees which depend on how you use your account. These costs may not look like the bank fees you’re used to at home, so reading the account terms and conditions is essential.

If you’re looking for an international account which has transparent pricing for services, compare the bank options you’re considering against Wise and Revolut, as non-bank services with clear and simple pricing and low costs.

What are the additional costs?

Opening your account with a bank in the UK may be free, but you could come across a range of other costs including:

Foreign transaction fees - when you spend with a card overseas
Withdrawal fees for ATM use - at home and abroad
International payment fees - which can vary by destination and payment type
Charges for receiving funds into the account - particularly for international payments
Overdraft charges and interest - usually higher if your overdraft has not been arranged in advance
Fees if a payment is refused or returned due to lack of funds

Tips for transferring money

If you’re sending a payment overseas it’s good to know that you don’t necessarily need to rely on your bank to process the transfer. You could choose a specialist service and save money on both the fees and the exchange rate markups applied.

Here are a few things to watch out for:

Compare the exchange rate you’re offered against the mid-market exchange rate to see if a markup is being used
Check the fees for different transfer types - arranging your transfer online is usually cheaper than doing so in a bank branch
Ask about third party charges which can push up the overall costs significantly

Compare the overall costs of sending your payment with your bank against a specialist service like Wise to see if you can save. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with no markup, and low, transparent fees. This can mean you save in the end.

Conclusion: Open a bank account online the UK

There’s no legal barrier to non-residents and new arrivals in the UK opening a bank account. However, non-resident accounts with UK banks tend to be tricky to open, expensive and inflexible.

For many customers, choosing a specialist online service like Wise or Revolut will offer a better overall deal, including a more straightforward verification process, lower fees and better exchange rates.

Open a UK bank account online FAQs

1. Can a foreigner who is non-resident open an account in the UK?

Yes, but your options may be limited to opening an expat account which needs a deposit in the region of 50,000 GBP to open. If you want something easier and cheaper, check out Wise instead. This is a non-bank option which can be opened from many countries and regions around the world, and used to hold and exchange 40+ currencies easily.

2. How much do I need to open a bank account in the UK?

There are not usually fees to open a standard UK bank account. However, transaction fees will apply which can be steep, particularly if you need to complete any international transactions. Compare your options and read through the fee schedules carefully to avoid surprises.

3. Can I open a bank account in the UK online?

Some banks do offer online opening options, even if you’re not in the UK yet. However, you may find account options are limited - or expensive - if you’re looking at non-resident accounts. Once you’re in the UK and have a proof of address, opening an account online is easy and means you can pick from pretty much any account offered by the bank.

4. How to apply for a bank account online in the UK?

If you’ve got a proof of address and ID documents you may be able to apply for your bank account in the UK online. However, your options may be limited if you’re not already a resident in the UK. In this case, an online provider like Wise may be a better bet for a flexible account you can use to transact in GBP as well as many other currencies.

5. Can I open a bank account in the UK before landing?

Some banks do allow you to open an account in the UK before arrival if you go through their expat divisions, which have high minimum deposit requirements. Or, as a cheaper alternative, check out an online provider like Wise which has GBP among 40+ currencies supported in its low cost multi-currency account.