How to open a Barclays account as a non-resident
If you need an account to manage British pounds for saving, paying bills or spending, you may find your choices are limited as a non-resident. Many UK banks require you to have a UK address to apply for a standard current account. However, some banks like Barclays do offer non-resident accounts through their offshore banking divisions.
This guide walks through the features, fees, and eligibility requirements for the Barclays International non-resident bank account - and also touches on alternatives without restrictive application requirements, from Wise and Revolut.
Quick summary: Barclays non-resident account review
Barclays offers non-resident accounts in GBP, USD and EUR through its international banking service
To qualify you must live in a supported country and have savings or investments of at least 100,000 GBP with Barclays
Barclays international bank accounts offer a linked debit card with no foreign transaction fee
If you have assets of 250,000 GBP or more you can get personal relationship management services from Barclays
You may find a low cost, flexible account from a provider like Wise or Revolut suits you better if you want to maintain a high deposit with Barclays
❓ FAQs | 🔑 Answers |
|---|---|
🇬🇧 Can I open a Barclays account without address proof in the UK? | You can open an account with Barclays international without a UK proof of address - however you need a deposit of at least 100,000 GBP. You may find a low cost alternative from Wise or Revolut is better fit if you want a flexible way to manage your money without high deposit requirements. |
💻 Can I open a Barclays account online as a non-resident? | If you’re eligible you may be able to apply for your Barclays non-resident account online - or you can leave your details and request a call back to apply by phone. |
Can I open a Barclays account as a non-resident?
Yes. You can open a Barclays account as a non-resident, through Barclays’ dedicated international banking division.
Barclays International offers accounts aimed at international clients, British expats living overseas, and people planning to move to the UK. Accounts are provided in GBP, USD and EUR to cover currency conversion needs - but to qualify for this account you must live in a supported country and have at least 100,000 GBP to deposit or invest with Barclays.
Alternative providers like Wise and Revolut can offer GBP account information and ways to hold and manage your money in pounds, without asking for a high minimum deposit amount. We’ll look at these options a little later, so you can decide which is the right fit for your needs.
Advantages - Barclays non-resident account | Disadvantages - Barclays non-resident account |
|---|---|
✅ Accounts available in GBP, USD and EUR ✅ Wealth management and relationship management services available for select customers ✅ Accounts can be opened online or by phone, with no need to visit a branch ✅ Global bank with an excellent range of services available | ❌ 100,000 GBP minimum deposit required ❌ 40 GBP fall below fee if you don’t maintain your minimum balance ❌ Available to residents in 35 countries only ❌ Not suited to people looking to manage their money across a broad range of currencies |
How to open a Barclays account as a non-resident
You can open a Barclays account as a non-resident online, by registering your account and uploading the required documents. Or you can call the bank to have someone talk you through your application in person.
Here’s a summary of how to open a Barclays account as a non-resident online - as the most flexible option for many customers.
1. Choose the account you prefer and check your eligibility
Barclays International has strict eligibility rules which you’ll need to check thoroughly. The main requirement is that you need to have a deposit of 100,000 GBP or more in savings or investments with Barclays to open your account. Fall below fees apply if you don’t maintain this balance on an ongoing basis.
2. Gather the required information and documents
Once you’ve confirmed you’re eligible you can get the paperwork together to support your application. You’ll need to prepare your proof of ID, proof of address and a completed application form. It’s important to know that documents need to be certified by a suitable certifier before you send or upload them. We’ll cover how that works in a moment.
3. Apply online and complete the verification step
Once you have your certified paperwork in hand you can complete your application and upload your documents. You can also mail in hard copies of your paperwork if you’d prefer to.
4. Meet the minimum deposit requirements and start to transact
If you do not already meet the minimum deposit requirements for the account and services you’ve selected - 100,000 GBP or 250,000 GBP - you’ll need to deposit or invest the required amount. This avoids fall below fees, and allows you to start transacting.
Barclays non resident account requirements
To open a Barclays International account as a non-UK resident you’ll usually need to meet the following requirements:
You must have residence in one of the 35 supported countries
You must have suitable certified proof of ID and address
You must have 100,000 GBP invested or saved with Barclays - or 250,000 GBP if you want relationship management services
For many non-UK residents who want an account to manage GBP, the key barrier will be the large deposit or investment required to qualify for the Barclays International account. If you want an account which is flexible enough for day to day use, without tying up finds in a large deposit, providers like Wise or Revolut may help. They both have accounts with no minimum deposit requirements which support dozens of currencies to allow for simple daily spending and payments.
What documents do you need to open a Barclays non-resident account?
You’ll need certified proof of ID and address to apply for a Barclays non-resident account.
Documents must be certified according to a specific process which you can find on the Barclays website. The certifier can be:
A registered notary, lawyer, solicitor or barrister in your country of residence
A member of staff from a known major bank
A member of staff from your embassy or consulate
The certifier will need to check your paperwork and complete a declaration that they have seen original documents, to allow you to send or upload copies to Barclays.
📁 Required documents for Barclays non-resident account |
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What is proof of residency for Barclays?
You’ll need to be a resident in one of 35 supported countries for your Barclays account. You’re asked to provide proof of address documents which support this - and you might also need to show additional paperwork depending on your situation.
Proof of address for Barclays non-resident account
Proof of address must be certified, and can include the following:
📁 Accepted proof of address documents |
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Barclays account alternatives for non-residents
While Barclays International might be an attractive option for high net worth individuals looking for an international bank account that comes with relationship management, investment advice and other more complex wealth planning services, it’s not for everyone.
Some UK banks - like HSBC - allow you to open a UK based account from other countries, and there are also some great flexible non-resident accounts from providers like Wise and Revolut. Alternative providers often offer broad currency support with no minimum balance, making them a good fit for every day money management across currencies.
Here are a few alternative providers which you might consider, which offer flexible low cost services for non UK residents:
Provider or bank | 🏦 Eligibility | 🌍 Supported currencies | ⭐ Features | 💰 Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Barclays | Residents of 35 countries, with 100,000 GBP or more saved or invested with Barclays | GBP, USD and EUR | Banking, savings, investments and mortgages | Monthly fees may apply depending on account selected Transaction fees apply |
Wise | Available for residents in many countries globally | 40+ currencies available | Card services, international transfers, currency exchange | No monthly fee Transaction fees apply |
Revolut | Available in many countries | 25+ currencies available | Card services, international transfers, currency exchange | Monthly fees may apply depending on account selected Transaction fees apply |
HSBC | UK residents and non residents | GBP - foreign currency accounts are also available | Broad range of financial services including saving and current accounts | No monthly account fee - fall below fees may apply Transaction fees apply |
*Details correct at time of research - 3rd October 2025
Wise account
💡Great for: GBP and 40+ other currencies supported for holding and exchange |
Wise Accounts can be opened by residents of many countries and regions globally, and offer 40+ supported currencies with mid-market exchange rates and no hidden fees.
You can get your linked Wise card to spend online and in person, send international payments with low fees and fast delivery times, and use GBP account information to receive payments conveniently.
In total, the Wise Account offers account information for 20+ currencies which can be used to receive payments with low fees.
That makes this a great pick for non UK residents who need to manage their money across a broad range of currencies.
Wise account pros | Wise account cons |
|---|---|
✅ 40+ currencies supported ✅ Open from the UK and many other countries. ✅ Low transaction fees and no monthly charges ✅ Fast payment services | ❌ Some transaction fees apply ❌ No branch network |
Wise account fees & limits
Features | 💡 Wise pricing and limits to know: |
|---|---|
📌 Eligibility | Available in many countries and regions globally |
💰 Account fees | No monthly fees, transaction and currency conversion fees can vary depending on the country you live in. Learn more on Wise pricing here. |
💱 Currency conversion | Mid-market exchange rate |
🌍 Supported currencies | 40+ currencies for holding and exchange |
⬆️ Sending international transfers | Send to 140+ countries with low, transparent fees |
⬇️ Receiving international payments | Account information provided to receive payments in 20+ currencies |
🎯 Limits | Often no holding limit, payments have high limits which vary by currency. More information: Wise limits. |
*Details correct at time of research - 3rd October 2025
How to open a Wise account as a non-resident
Download the Wise app or open the desktop site
Select the option to Sign Up
Follow prompts to enter your personal and contact information
Upload the required documents for verification
Tap + to open a GBP account from the Wise app
Revolut account
💡Great for: Hold and exchange 25+ currencies in one account |
Revolut is available in many countries and allows customers to hold GBP and 25+ other currencies, with a linked debit card for spending and withdrawals. Account options do vary, but in most cases you can choose from different account plans depending on the features you require, including some which have no monthly fees.
Revolut account pros | Revolut account cons |
|---|---|
✅ Choose from different account plans ✅ Some accounts have no monthly fees ✅ All account offer a linked payment card ✅ Some no fee transactions are available on all account plans | ❌ Not globally available ❌ Monthly fees apply to the most feature packed accounts |
Revolut account fees & limits
Features | 💡 Revolut pricing and limits to know: |
|---|---|
📌 Eligibility | Available in many countries and regions |
💰 Account fees | Variable monthly fees depending on account selected and your location |
💱 Currency conversion | Weekday conversion using the Revolut rate to plan limits, then fair usage fees may apply |
🌍 Supported currencies | Usually 25+ currencies supported |
⬆️ Sending international transfers | Low transfer fees - some account plans also offer discounts on costs |
⬇️ Receiving international payments | Receive payments in select currencies with local and SWIFT account information |
🎯 Limits | Limits can vary depending on where you live |
*Details correct at time of research - 3rd October 2025
How to open a Revolut account as a non-resident
Download the Revolut app
Select the option to Sign Up
Follow prompts to enter your personal and contact information
Upload the required documents for verification
Once verified, tap Accounts to open a GBP balance
HSBC account
💡Great for: Full UK based GBP account which you can open as a non-resident, with options for additional banking services |
HSBC is a major global bank, and offers the option for non-residents to open a UK based GBP account. This service isn’t available for all account types, and there are restrictions on which country you can reside in - but assuming you’re eligible the account can be opened in the HSBC app for convenience. This allows you to access HSBC services more broadly, including international transfers and premium account types.
HSBC also offers international offshore accounts from its expat banking division which may appeal to high earners looking for premium banking solutions.
HSBC account pros | HSBC account cons |
|---|---|
✅ Full UK based account service, available to non-residents ✅ Open in the HSBC app in many cases ✅ No monthly fees ✅ Different account tiers available including premium accounts | ❌ 2.75% foreign transaction fee ❌ No multi-currency feature on standard account |
HSBC account fees & limits
Features | 💡 HSBC pricing and limits to know: |
|---|---|
📌 Eligibility | Non UK residents with eligible ID documents - not all accounts can be opened by non-residents, and not all countries of residence are supported |
💰 Account fees | No monthly fee |
💱 Currency conversion | Currency conversion for international card spending uses the network rate with a 2.75% foreign transaction fee Some accounts also have a 2% fee when withdrawing cash outside of the UK |
🌍 Supported currencies | GBP |
⬆️ Sending international transfers | No fee to send euros in the EEA, no fee to send to other HSBC accounts 5 GBP fee applies to all other payments, waived if you are a Premier customer, Private Banking customer, or use a Global Money account |
⬇️ Receiving international payments | Receive payments in GBP only |
🎯 Limits | No limit on holding amounts - other limits may apply depending on your situation |
How to open an HSBC account as a non-resident
Download the HSBC app
Select the account you want to open and tap Apply now
Register an account and upload your verification documents, following the prompts
If approved your account will be operational and your card will be sent by mail to your home address
Can I open a foreign currency account with Barclays?
Yes. Barclays International’s flagship account supports GBP, USD and EUR. You can also access international investments and international savings accounts.
Savings accounts are also offered in GBP, USD and EUR, while investment options are tailor made to suit individual customer needs.
📚➡️ More information on relevant guides:
Barclays account for foreigners in the UK
Barclays offers non-resident accounts which hold GBP, USD and EUR, for customers in 35 countries. You need to deposit or invest 100,000 GBP or more, and there are fall below fees of 40 GBP monthly if you fail to maintain this balance. This might mean the Barclays account is best for high income expats and investors looking to access the UK market through a major global bank.
Barclays UK requires you to be a UK resident to open an account - instead, non-residents can open a Barclays International account
Barclays International accounts are intended for high net worth expat clients, people moving to the UK and other high earners
Non-resident bank accounts with Barclays come in 3 major currencies - GBP, USD and EUR - and offer a linked debit card for spending and withdrawals
If you’d prefer an account with broader currency support and no minimum balance requirement, you may like alternative providers like Wise or Revolut instead
Barclays non resident account FAQs
Can I open a Barclays account online as a foreigner?
Yes. If you’re based in a supported country and have the 100,000 GBP or more required to be eligible for a Barclays International account, you can open it online. You need certified proof of ID and address, which you can upload to activate your account.
Can a tourist open a Barclays account?
Barclays International accounts are intended for high net worth individuals and investors. If you need a GBP account for tourist purposes you may be better off with a more flexible option like the Wise account.
Can a non-UK citizen open a Barclays account?
Yes. You can open a UK Barclays account if you’re a resident of the UK, regardless of nationality. You can open a non-resident Barclays account if you live in a supported country and can make a high deposit of 100,000 GBP or more.
Can I open a Barclays account with a passport?
No. You need a certified proof of ID - like a passport - and a certified proof of address, like your driving license, to open a Barclays International account.
General advice: The information on this site is of a general nature only. It does not take your specific needs or circumstances into consideration. You should look at your own personal situation and requirements before making any financial decisions. We compare currency exchange and money transfer services in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. We only display reputable companies which we have researched and approved.