How do I get a € Euro bank account?

newfoundglory

Let me just check it actually works first. It is a MasterCard debit (with contactless).
There was a minor addressing issue, wrong country, so I was surprised the card arrived - which makes me concerned about others attempting.

glider3560

I'm guessing it is KBC Ireland, then. Looks like one of the easiest to apply for from the UK, without actually having to go overseas.

newfoundglory

Has anyone else noticed the messages on UK banking websites?

The ones along the lines of are you a non-UK EU resident, e.g. like on the TSB site:

http://www.tsb.co.uk/current-accounts/faqs/opening-a-current-account-non-uk-eu-residents/

Seems relatively recent, think i've seen on RBS and HSBC too.

glider3560

newfoundglory wrote: »

Has anyone else noticed the messages on UK banking websites?

The ones along the lines of are you a non-UK EU resident, e.g. like on the TSB site:

http://www.tsb.co.uk/current-accounts/faqs/opening-a-current-account-non-uk-eu-residents/

Seems relatively recent, think i've seen on RBS and HSBC too.

There's some EU directive that requires banks to open accounts for all EU residents. Hence why the Irish banks are now available for UK customers to open accounts with.

newfoundglory

I have discovered that some banks in Europe will not send bank cards overseas. You may be able to open an account but not receive a card.

(which might sound strange but actually makes a lot of sense to me now)

RICKSTEINS33

I have had my Permanent TSB current account since December 2015. I pay 12 Euro per quarter (As I don't meet their monthly credit minimum limit). It comes with online banking and debit card and I have never lived in Ireland in my life.

However, you would need to buy an Irish Sim card on Ebay to activates all the online banking features.

glider3560

I finally received my debit card from KBC Ireland for the basic current account (I'm in England).

Application was slow, but it was simple. Still waiting for online banking activation code.

They didn't want ID documents certified, only copies. But they did want four documents (two name and two address).

colsten

I have just recently opened a free current account with DKB in Germany. Application and ID verification was all online, really quick and painless. Online access info, debit card and PIN arrived, by snail mail, within a week at my UK address.

You need to speak German as they don't communicate in other languages.

http://www.settle-in-berlin.com/german-bank-account/

Chapuys

glider3560 wrote: »

I finally received my debit card from KBC Ireland for the basic current account (I'm in England).

Application was slow, but it was simple. Still waiting for online banking activation code.

They didn't want ID documents certified, only copies. But they did want four documents (two name and two address).

Did you actually post the application?

I noticed here ( https://www.kbc.ie/our-products/kbc-current-account/current-account/basic ), at the bottom, that you can email the application and the supporting documents. I may try that tomorrow and see if it is any quicker.

glider3560

Chapuys wrote: »

Did you actually post the application?

I noticed here ( https://www.kbc.ie/our-products/kbc-current-account/current-account/basic ), at the bottom, that you can email the application and the supporting documents. I may try that tomorrow and see if it is any quicker.

I initially emailed it, but received no response. So I posted it.

They then emailed asking for additional ID documents, which I submitted back by email (they were just PDF utility bills). This was confirmed, then I heard nothing. Chased it up by email a few weeks later and finally received the account documents/card.

The advantage of an Irish bank is they speak English and most things in Ireland work in the same way as they do in the UK.