How to open a bank account in the UK
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 banks against some more user friendly solutions, such as Wise or Revolut. But more on that later. Let's dive right in.
Quick summary: UK non resident account
💡 Key points | |
|---|---|
Documents | To open an account as a foreigner living in the UK you'll usually need to prove your identity and address - banks also may need proof of income or savings |
Requirements | Non-resident accounts from banks can have restrictive eligibility requirements and high minimum balances |
Fees | UK bank accounts may not have ongoing fees, but transaction fees are pretty inevitable. These vary depending on how you use your account |
Features | If you're a UK resident accounts can be feature packed, but if you're a non-resident you might find your options are more limited |
Alternatives | There's no single best GBP account for foreigners, new arrivals and non-residents - compare a few to help you choose including alternative providers like Wise and Revolut |
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:
📎 Information needed to open a UK account: | |
|---|---|
Proof of identity |
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Proof of UK residential address |
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Choosing these documents is often the easiest way for the bank 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.
Luckily some specialist providers and expat services are more flexible in the ways they check customer identity - which can make it far easier for non-residents to legally get a UK account. More on that, next.
Save the paperwork with alternative solutions like Wise or Revolut
All financial services companies in the UK need to verify customers' identity and address details to comply with legislation and provide a safe service for everyone. However, while UK banks usually require customers to provide address details showing a UK residence, some specialist services, like Wise or Revolut, can accept an international proof of address which may be more convenient for expats, non-residents and digital nomads.
⭐ Alternative options to UK bank accounts | |
|---|---|
Use your proof of address from your country of residence, to get your account set up before you even move, to receive, hold, and spend GBP easily once you arrive in the UK. No ongoing fees to pay, with 40+ currencies for holding and exchange, and a Wise card for simple spending and withdrawals. | |
Revolut Account | Apply online by uploading images of your paperwork, using your home country address and ID, and select from different account types depending on your needs. Accounts usually hold 25+ currencies and all come with a linked debit card for spending. |
How to open a bank account in the UK
Here's an overview of how to open a bank account in the UK:
1. Research to choose the perfect account for your needs
Account features and fees can vary a lot, particularly if you're a non-resident customer. Compare a few options to get a feel for the choice out there, and weigh up the pros and cons of each.
2. Get all your documentation ready
You'll usually need to provide the bank with:
Proof of identity
Proof of address
These are needed to complete legally required verification checks. We'll explore what else might be required in a moment.
3. Apply online, or in a branch in person
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.
4. Submit your documents online or in a branch
If you're eligible for online account opening you can submit your documents by uploading a clear image of the required paperwork - or you can hand over the originals in a branch for checking.
5. Once your account is verified you'll be able to start transacting
Once the branch staff, or the online team, are happy with your application your account is verified. You'll be given or mailed your bank card and you can start to transact.
Proof of address
As we've seen, banks might need proof of address, to complete their verification processes. This is required by law and is one of the ways banks keep customers safe. Different banks accept different documents, but commonly you'll be asked for one of the following:
Examples of proof of address documents | |
|---|---|
Utility bill | A recent bill which shows your name and address - often this must be from the past 3 months |
Bank statement | A recent statement which shows your name and address - often this must be from the past 3 months |
Government letter | Correspondence from a government agency, for example, a tax statement or a letter about benefits |
Driving license | Your valid driving license if it shows your current address |
Can I open a UK bank account without a proof of address?
It's often not possible to open a UK bank account unless you have proof of your address. Depending on the specific bank your address may need to be in the UK to be eligible for an account.
Check with your preferred provider to see if a proof of address is needed - some digital services like Monese may be able to allow you to provide different information or paperwork to get started.
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 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 Monzo. If you're based in Europe already, Monese may also be an option. More on the best GBP account options for non-residents coming up in a moment.
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 banks
Specialist services can be cheap and flexible, with digital account management services and cards for spending. 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 select 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: £75,000 |
Fall below fee | £0 | £0 | £0 | £50 |
Maintenance fee | £0 | Up to £45/month in the UK | 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% of transfer value | Online transfers £0 to £15 depending on type |
*Details correct at time of research - 9th June 2025
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 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
Wise serves 12 million+ active customers around the world with low cost international payments, as well as personal and business accounts.
The Wise Account is free to open for personal customers, 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 140+ countries and spend using your Wise international debit card all over the world.
Wise account | |
|---|---|
Account | 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. |
Is Wise safe? | Yes. Wise is safe to use, with 24/7 manual and automatic anti-fraud protocols and ways to freeze your card instantly if you need to |
Fees | No fee to open a personal account, no ongoing fee. Convert and transfer from 0.48%. |
Linked debit card | Available for spending in the UK, and internationally |
Limits | Transfer limits are usually 1 million GBP or the equivalent, often no holding limit |
Wise is great for: | Wise may not be for you if: |
|---|---|
✅ Available in many countries and regions globally ✅ Broad range of supported currencies to hold, receive and exchange ✅ Conversion and transfer fees from 0.48% ✅ Spend with a Wise card in 150+ countries | ❌ You prefer to transact in a physical branch ❌ You need credit services or loans |
Revolut
Revolut offers a broad range of account services including multi-currency functionality for 25+ currencies, with several different account types for yourself or your business.
You can get a Revolut standard plan in the UK and many other countries, with no ongoing costs, or upgrade to an account with monthly fees which unlocks more features. In the UK, the top tier accounts cost 45 GBP/month.
Accounts usually all have some great features like a linked debit card and some weekday currency exchange which uses the Revolut exchange rate with no extra fees.
Revolut account | |
|---|---|
Account | Choose from different account plans based on your residence and transaction needs - often there are Standard plans with no monthly fees for personal customers |
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 |
Is Revolut safe? | Yes. Revolut has 24/7 chat to allow you to get help if you need it, and you can see your account activity and transactions in the app at any time |
Fees | Variable monthly account fees depending on plan, transaction, out of hours and fair usage fees may apply depending on your account usage |
Linked debit card | Available for spending in the UK, and internationally |
Limits | Variable limits apply on transfers, based on the currency involved |
Revolut is great for: | Revolut may not be for you if: |
|---|---|
✅ Good range of supported currencies ✅ Different plans depending on the way you transact ✅ Accounts usually offer some no fee transactions and currency conversion monthly ✅ All accounts have a linked debit card | ❌ You want a full feature account with no monthly fee ❌ You need to convert currencies out of hours frequently |
Monese
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.
Monese account | |
|---|---|
Account | Accounts plans are available from Simple accounts with no monthly fee, up to £14.99/month Premium accounts. |
Eligibility | Resident in the UK or EEA, personal, joint and business accounts available. |
Is Monese safe? | Yes. Monese is safe and trusted and has industry level security built in. |
Fees | 0 - 14.99 GBP/monthly fee, various transaction fees which change depending on the account plan you select |
Linked debit card | Available for spending in the UK, and internationally |
Limits | Usually the maximum you can hold in your account is 40,000 GBP. Other limits may apply depending on the account tier and transaction type |
Monese is great for: | Monese may not be for you if: |
|---|---|
✅ GBP, EUR and RON transactions ✅ Choice of account and card plans ✅ No foreign transaction fee on top tier accounts ✅ Variable charges which get lower for the premium plans | ❌ You want to limit foreign transaction fees without a monthly charge ❌ You need a different selection of currencies |
Read our full Monese review or open an account by clicking the button below.
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. Usually you'll need a balance of £75,000 - or you have to pay in a salary of £120,000+ a year - this requirement may vary depending on where you live.
HSBC Expat current accounts are offered in GBP. USD and EUR, but you can also open savings account products in more 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.
HSBC Expat account | |
|---|---|
Account | Current accounts can hold GBP, EUR and USD, but savings accounts are available in a selection of global currencies. |
Eligibility | Accounts come with minimum balance requirements of £75,000+ |
Is HSBC Expat safe? | Yes. HSBC is a large bank with a long history, trusted by millions globally. |
Fees | Fees and minimum balance requirements can vary depending on your home location |
Linked debit card | Available for spending in the UK, and internationally |
Limits | Limits may apply on certain transaction types for security - check in the HSBC app to see which rules apply to your specific account |
HSBC Expat is great for: | HSBC Expat may not be for you if: |
|---|---|
✅ High wealth individuals who need personal banking services ✅ Current and savings accounts in foreign currencies ✅ Card services for spending ✅ Transfers between accounts globally | ❌ You don't want to hold a high balance in your account ❌ You're not living in one of the supported countries |
What is the easiest UK bank account to open for foreigners?
There's no single easiest UK bank account to open for foreigners. Easiest may mean choosing a provider which manages your application through an app - or for other customers it might mean somewhere you can walk into a branch and have someone steer you through the entire process.
Use this guide to weigh up some different choices and pick the one which suits your needs best. Here's an overview of the banks we selected:
Banks | 💡 Account opening process for non residents |
|---|---|
Monese | Monese asks for a proof of ID and a video selfie, which allows you to apply online or in their app with a fully digital onboarding |
HSBC Expat | HSBC has online application processes, but bear in mind that you will need to fund your account with the minimum balance quickly to avoid fall below fees |
Or you might prefer a specialist provider with a digital application process and no minimum balance requirement:
Providers | 💡 Account opening process for non residents |
|---|---|
Wise | Apply online or in the Wise app, by uploading an image of your ID and address documents, with in app verification and 24/7 chat support if you need it |
Revolut | Apply online or in app, and get all the help you need with your application through the Revolut chat service |
Other UK banks that you can consider:
There are a few other UK banks that support accounts for foreigners, although the exact options available will depend on whether you're a UK resident or not. You may find you need to open an account with the bank's international division if you're non-resident, which can have higher fees.
Here are a few other UK banks to consider:
Natwest
Nationwide
Lloyds
Santander UK
Barclays
🎯 Learn more - Best bank accounts for non residents in the UK |
Best ways to transfer your money to the UK from another country
If you're about to move to the UK or have recently moved, you may need to find cost effective ways of moving your money to the UK. Here are a few great providers which might suit you, depending on your specific needs:
Transfer fees to the UK | Exchange rates | Transfer limits | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Low fees, depending on currency | Mid-market rates | Usually around 1 million GBP | 40+ currencies | |
OFX | Low or no fee, depending on your location | Exchange rates may include a markup | Usually unlimited | 50+ currencies |
TorFX | No fee | Exchange rates may include a markup | Usually unlimited | 40+ currencies |
Xe | Variable fees depending on currency | Exchange rates may include a markup | Varied by currency/country - 375,000 EUR per transfer from the Eurozone for example | Send to 130+ countries |
Remitly | Variable fees depending on currency | Exchange rates may include a markup | Varied by currency/country - 30,000 EUR per transfer from the Eurozone for example | Send to 170+ countries |
*Details correct at time of research - 9th June 2025
How long does it take to open a bank account in the UK as a foreigner?
How long it takes to get your account open with a UK bank or service depends on a range of factors, including the documents you can provide. Here's what to expect with the banks and providers we've looked at in this guide.
Provider | 💡 How long does it take to open an account? |
|---|---|
Apply online or in app, verification can be instant or may take a day or two | |
Revolut | Apply online or in app, verification is usually done in 1 day but may take up to 7 days |
Monese | Monese will verify your location, which can be done in a couple of different ways - once this is done you have full access to your account |
HSBC Expat | The length of time taken to open your account will depend on your personal situation and whether you have an HSBC account in another country already |
What are the costs of opening a UK bank account?
In many cases you can open a non-resident UK account for free, especially if you pick a specialist online provider. banks may require you to deposit your salary or a hefty minimum deposit amount to get your account.
Once your account is up and running you'll pay transaction fees for the services you use, and may incur monthly charges too - the costs to look out for can include:
💰 Fees that might apply | |
|---|---|
Monthly maintenance fees | Monthly fees may apply which can not be waived or avoided - not all services have a monthly fee. Take a look at Wise for a specialist account with no ongoing fee, or Monese which has plans with no costs from a licensed bank |
Fall below fees | Fall below fees apply when you don't hold the minimum balance required by the provider |
International payment fees | Very variable fees can apply for overseas transfers - check out services like Wise if you need a cheap and easy digital payment with the mid-market rate |
Foreign transaction fees | Foreign transaction fees can be about 3% and apply on all foreign currency spending |
Credit card costs | Including fees for late payments, annual fees, penalties and interest - watch out for cash advance fees if you use your card at an ATM too |
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.
Conclusion
There's no legal barrier to non-residents and new arrivals in the UK opening a bank account. However, non-resident accounts with 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.
FAQs
Can a foreigner open an account in the UK?
Yes. You can open a UK account as a foreigner or non-resident. However, non-UK residents will find it harder to open an account with a bank, and may find it easier to get set up with a specialist online provider.
How much do I need to open a bank account in the UK?
You can often open a bank account for free in the UK, although some banks do ask for a minimum deposit amount to start with. Compare a few providers to get the best deal for your needs.
Can I open a UK bank account online?
Yes. You can open a UK bank account online with banks if you have proof of a UK address. If you don't have this, you may be better off with a specialist online provider which allows you to open your account on your laptop or mobile device, with a more flexible verification process.
Can I open a bank account in the UK before landing?
If you're not in the UK yet you might find it hard to open a bank account. However, you can get a smart and flexible GBP account from an online specialist service like Wise or Revout instead.