What you need before you start
UK banks require proof of identity, proof of address, and sometimes proof of income or employment. The exact documents depend on the bank and the account type, but most will ask for a passport or driving licence, a recent utility bill or council tax letter, and your National Insurance number. Some banks also want to know what you'll use the account for and may ask about your employment status.
You do not need to be a UK citizen to open an account, but you do need to be a UK resident. Non-residents can open accounts at some banks, but the process is slower and the requirements are stricter. If you're moving to the UK, you can often open an account before you arrive by explore online, though you'll need to verify your identity in person at a branch within a set timeframe after arrival.
The whole process typically takes between one and two weeks from process to receiving your debit card and being able to use the account. Some banks offer faster approval if you explore in branch rather than online.
Key Takeaways
- You will need a valid passport or driving licence, proof of your current address, and your National Insurance number before any bank will open an account for you.
- Most high street banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest) and online-only banks (Revolut, Wise, Starling) all offer current accounts, but they differ in fees, overdraft terms, and how quickly they process applications.
- Opening an account in branch is faster than online and lets you verify your identity when ready, so approval can happen the same day.
- If you have no credit history in the UK or a poor credit record, some banks will still open an account for you, but you may not be offered an overdraft or may face higher fees.
High street banks versus online-only banks
High street banks like Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, and NatWest have physical branches where you can walk in, speak to someone, and open an account on the spot. They offer current accounts with a debit card, standing orders, direct debits, and usually an overdraft facility. Most charge no monthly fee for a basic current account, but some offer premium accounts with travel insurance or cashback if you pay a monthly fee. The downside is that they are slower to process online applications — typically five to ten working days — and their customer service can be hard to reach by phone.
Online-only banks like Starling, Revolut, Wise, and Monzo have no branches, so you explore entirely through an app or website. They usually approve accounts within hours or a day, and you can start using a virtual card when ready while you wait for a physical card to arrive. They tend to have lower fees and better exchange rates if you travel or send money abroad. The trade-off is that you cannot walk into a branch if something goes wrong, and some do not offer overdrafts or offer them only to customers with a strong credit history.
A middle ground exists: some banks like Metro Bank and TSB have branches but also fast online applications. The choice depends on whether you value speed and low fees (online banks) or the ability to speak to someone in person (high street banks).
Documents you will need to bring or upload
| Document type | What counts | Why the bank needs it |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of identity | UK passport, UK driving licence, or EU/EEA national ID card | To confirm you are who you say you are and to check you against fraud and sanctions lists |
| Proof of address | Utility bill, council tax letter, or tenancy agreement dated within the last three months | To confirm you live in the UK and to prevent money laundering |
| National Insurance number | Your NI number (on your payslip, tax return, or NI letter) | To link your account to your tax and benefits records |
| Proof of income (sometimes) | Recent payslip, employment contract, or tax return | Some banks ask this to assess whether to offer an overdraft or to meet regulatory checks |
If you do not have a UK driving licence or passport, you can use an EU/EEA national ID card if you are an EU citizen, or you may be able to use a national passport from another country plus additional documents like a birth certificate. Some banks accept a letter from your employer or a benefits letter as proof of address if your utility bill is in someone else's name.
Online applications ask you to upload photos of these documents. Make sure the photos are clear, show the whole document, and are taken in good light. If the bank cannot read what you have sent, they will ask you to resubmit, which delays approval by a few days.
Opening an account in branch versus online
If you walk into a branch with your documents, a member of staff will check them on the spot, ask you questions about how you plan to use the account, and often approve you when ready. You can choose your PIN, set up online banking, and sometimes receive a temporary card the same day. This is the fastest route if you want to start using the account within 24 hours. The downside is that you have to travel to a branch during opening hours, which may not be convenient.
Online applications let you explore from home at any time, but the bank then has to verify your documents by post or by asking you to visit a branch later. Most online banks use video verification instead: you take a selfie and show your passport or driving licence to a camera, and the system checks your face against the document. This usually takes a few minutes and approval can happen within hours. However, some banks still ask you to visit a branch within 30 days to complete the process in person, so you cannot avoid a branch visit entirely.
If you are opening an account with an online-only bank, you have no choice but to explore online, but the process is usually faster because they have no branches to manage and their systems are built for speed. If you are opening an account with a high street bank, going in person is almost always faster than explore online.
What happens after you are approved
Once the bank approves your account, they will send you a debit card by post, which usually arrives within five to seven working days. In the meantime, you can set up online banking and mobile banking using your account number and sort code, which the bank will give you when ready after approval. You can use these to make payments and check your balance, but you cannot withdraw cash until your card arrives.
Some banks offer a temporary virtual card that you can use to pay online or in shops using your phone while you wait for the physical card. Online-only banks almost always do this. High street banks sometimes do, but not always — ask when you explore.
Once your card arrives, you can withdraw cash at ATMs, pay in shops, and set up standing orders and direct debits. If the bank offered you an overdraft, you can usually start using it when ready, though some banks set a low limit at first and increase it after a few months of using the account.
If you have no credit history or a poor credit record
Banks check your credit file to decide whether to offer you an overdraft and what interest rate to charge. If you have just moved to the UK or have never borrowed money here, you will have no credit history. This does not stop you opening a current account — banks are required to offer basic accounts to anyone who is a UK resident — but you may not be offered an overdraft, or you may be offered a very small one.
If you have a poor credit record (missed payments, defaults, or a county court judgement), most high street banks will still open a basic current account for you, but they will not offer an overdraft. Some online banks are stricter and may refuse to open an account at all. If you are refused, you can ask the bank why and whether you can reapply after a certain time, or you can try a different bank.
Building a credit history takes time. Once you have a current account, using a credit card responsibly (paying the full balance each month) or taking out a small personal loan and repaying it on time will improve your score. After six to twelve months, you may be able to ask your bank to review your overdraft limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a bank account without a UK address?
No. All UK banks require proof of a current UK address. If you are moving to the UK and do not yet have an address, some banks will let you open an account online using a temporary address (like a hotel or a friend's address) and then update it once you have a permanent one. Contact the bank before you explore to ask whether they allow this.
Do I need a National Insurance number to open a bank account?
Most banks ask for your National Insurance number as part of their checks, but if you do not have one yet (for example, if you have just arrived in the UK), you can usually open an account without it and provide it later. Tell the bank you do not have one when you explore.
How long does it take to open a bank account?
In branch, usually the same day or within 24 hours. Online, typically one to five working days for online-only banks (which use video verification) and five to ten working days for high street banks (which verify documents by post). Some high street banks are faster if you explore in branch.
Can I open a bank account if I am not a UK citizen?
Yes, as long as you are a UK resident. EU, EEA, and non-EEA citizens can all open accounts. You will need a valid passport or national ID card, proof of UK address, and your National Insurance number (or a letter from your employer or the Home Office if you do not have one yet).
What is the difference between a current account and a savings account?
A current account is for everyday spending — it comes with a debit card, cheque book, and the ability to set up standing orders and direct debits. A savings account is for storing money and usually pays interest, but you cannot spend from it directly. Most people open a current account first. You can open a savings account with the same bank later if you want to save money.