Yes, you can have a UK bank account while living abroad, but banks treat you differently once you move
Most UK banks will let you keep an existing account after you move abroad. The catch is that opening a new account from outside the UK is much harder, and some banks will close your account if you change your address to a foreign country. The rules depend on which country you move to, how long you stay, and which bank you use. Some banks actively support expats; others make it deliberately difficult.
If you already have a UK account, your first step is to contact your bank directly and tell them you are moving abroad. Do not wait for them to find out through a change of address. Banks monitor for this, and discovering it themselves can trigger a review that leads to account closure. Telling them first gives you a chance to discuss what happens next before they make that decision.
Key Takeaways
- Keeping an existing UK account after moving abroad usually works, but you must notify your bank before changing your address.
- Opening a new UK account from abroad is difficult; most banks require you to be a UK resident or have a UK address, and some require a UK phone number.
- Banks in certain countries (Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand) face stricter rules and may close accounts more readily than banks serving other destinations.
- You will need proof of your new address abroad, and some banks will ask for proof of why you need the account (work, family, investment).
- If your bank closes your account, you have time to move your money, but you should start looking for alternatives before that happens.
What happens when you tell your bank you are moving
When you notify your bank of a move abroad, they will ask where you are going and for how long. They will also ask for proof of your new address — a tenancy agreement, utility bill, or government letter addressed to you at that address. Some banks ask for a copy of your visa or residency permit.
The bank then assesses the risk. If you are moving to a country with strong financial regulation (most of Europe, Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand), the bank is likely to let you keep the account. If you are moving to a country on the UK's higher-risk list for financial crime, the bank may close the account or restrict what you can do with it. The UK government publishes a list of higher-risk jurisdictions, and banks use it as a guide, though they make their own decisions.
Some banks have dedicated expat services and will actively help you keep your account open. Others treat expats as a compliance burden and will close the account at the first opportunity. HSBC, Barclays, and Lloyds have international presence and are generally more willing to work with people moving abroad. Smaller banks and building societies are more likely to close accounts.
Opening a new UK account from abroad
If you do not have a UK account and want to open one after moving abroad, you will face significant barriers. Most UK banks require you to be a UK resident at the time you open the account. Some define this as having a UK address; others require you to have lived in the UK recently or to have a UK phone number.
A few banks will open accounts for British expats without requiring a UK address, but they are the exception. Wise (formerly TransferWise) offers a UK bank account number and sort code to people living abroad, though it is not a full current account — it is designed for receiving money and making transfers. Revolut offers accounts to non-residents, but again, it is a digital wallet rather than a traditional bank account. If you need a proper current account with a debit card and overdraft, your options shrink considerably.
Some expats use a UK address service — a company that provides a UK address for mail and sometimes for banking purposes. Banks increasingly reject these because they know what they are. If you have family or friends in the UK, using their address is technically possible, but it is fraud if you do not actually live there, and banks can close the account and report you if they discover it.
Which countries make it harder to keep a UK account
Banks are most cautious about accounts held by people in the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. This is not because these countries are risky — it is because of tax and financial reporting rules. The US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires UK banks to report accounts held by US citizens and US tax residents to the US Internal Revenue Service. This creates extra work and cost for banks, and many have decided it is not worth it. Some UK banks have closed all accounts held by US citizens or people living in the US.
Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have similar reporting requirements, though they are less strict than FATCA. Banks serving these countries often charge higher fees or require higher minimum balances to cover the compliance cost.
If you are moving to a country that the UK Financial Conduct Authority or the bank's own risk team considers high-risk for money laundering or sanctions evasion, the bank will almost certainly close your account. This includes many countries in the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of Africa, though the list changes and varies by bank.
What you need to do before your bank closes your account
If your bank tells you they are closing your account, they must give you notice — usually two to three months. This is your window to move your money and set up alternatives. Do not wait until the last week.
Start by opening an account with a digital bank or money transfer service that serves expats. Wise, Revolut, and OFX all offer accounts or transfer services to people living abroad. These are not replacements for a full UK bank account, but they let you receive money in pounds, hold multiple currencies, and make transfers without the fees that traditional banks charge.
If you need a proper bank account in your new country, open one there. Most countries make this straightforward if you have a visa or residency permit. You will need a local address, proof of identity, and sometimes proof of income. The process usually takes one to two weeks.
Before your UK account closes, set up a standing order or direct debit redirect for any payments that still come to that account. Contact your employer, pension provider, and any other organisations that pay you and give them your new account details. This takes time, so start early.
Keeping access to UK services after your account closes
Even after your UK bank account closes, you may need a UK sort code and account number for certain things — receiving money from the UK, paying UK bills, or accessing UK services that require a UK bank account. This is where Wise becomes useful. It provides a real UK sort code and account number, and money sent to it arrives in your Wise account. You can then transfer it to your account abroad or hold it in pounds.
Some expats keep a second account open specifically for this purpose. If you have family in the UK, you could ask them to hold an account in their name that you can use, though this creates complications if anything goes wrong.
If you are a British citizen living abroad, you may also be able to use a UK address service for mail, which can help with paperwork that requires a UK address. This is separate from banking, but it solves a related problem.
What to do if your bank has already closed your account
If your bank closed your account without warning or with very short notice, contact them in writing and ask for the reason. Banks must provide a reason, and if it was a mistake or if they failed to follow their own procedures, you may be able to challenge the decision. The Financial Ombudsman Service can investigate complaints about unfair account closure, though they will not force a bank to reopen an account — they can only award compensation if the bank broke its own terms or treated you unfairly.
In the meantime, move your remaining money to a digital service or to an account in your new country. If you have direct debits or standing orders still attached to the closed account, contact those organisations when ready and give them new account details. If you miss a payment because the account was closed, you may face late fees or damage to your credit record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my UK bank account to pay bills in the country where I am living?
You can, but it is usually expensive. Your UK bank will charge a foreign transaction fee, and the receiving bank may charge a fee as well. If you are paying regular bills, it is cheaper to open a local account in your new country and transfer money to it once a month. Wise or a similar service can do this transfer at a lower cost than a traditional bank.
What if I move back to the UK — will my bank reopen my account?
Not automatically. If your bank closed your account while you were abroad, you will need to open a new account when you return. Some banks will fast-track this if you were a long-standing customer, but there is no may provide. Start the process as soon as you know you are moving back.
Do I need to pay UK tax if I have a UK bank account while living abroad?
Tax depends on your residency status and where you are living, not on where your bank account is. If you are a UK resident, you pay UK tax on worldwide income. If you are not a UK resident, you only pay UK tax on UK-sourced income. This is separate from banking, but your bank may ask about your tax status when you move abroad.
Can I open a UK account in someone else's name and use it?
No. That is fraud, and both you and the account holder could face criminal charges. Banks verify identity when accounts are opened, and they monitor for unusual activity. If you are caught, the account will be closed and reported to the police.
Will my UK credit score be affected if I move abroad?
Your credit file stays in the UK, and it continues to be updated as long as you have UK accounts or debts. If you close all UK accounts and have no UK credit activity, your score will eventually become inactive. This does not damage your score, but it means you will have no credit history if you move back to the UK later.