Can non-resident UK national open bank account in UK?

enquiring

I'm a UK national resident in Greece since 1980. I closed my UK bank account when I left for Greece, which is an EU member, and never opened another. All I have is in Britain is a Post Office savings account from when I was a kid. Am I eligible to open a bank account in the UK although I am not resident there? My UK address would be that of the friends I always stay with. If I am eligible, what documents would the bank require from me? Many thanks for any help.

Avatar73

I'm looking into a similar idea; regarding a move to hong kong.

I'm still looking, but I think you could probably supply the friends address, maybe fib about how long you've been there, and maybe get an account.

however, i believe that it is against the T&Cs of most accounts to be a non-resident. Also apprently they might credit check the electoral roll, which you wouldn't be on, so that could be an issue?

innovate

You can't "credit check" the electoral roll - but you are right, a check (to verify your ID) is generally made against the electoral roll. You'd fall at that first hurdle. And "fibbing" when it comes to bank accounts sounds a very high-risk strategy to me!

Anyway - what are your requirements? What sort of an account do you need - current, savings, other? Not sure any of the main accounts are available to non-residents (or fibbers). But you might find what you are after in an offshore account - - Lloyds, Barclays, Natwest etc all offer them, and these accounts are open to residents and non-residents.

plunt

you should be able to open it and then fill out a form after set up to declare you are a non- resident. but not 100% but reckon you should try it! you will more than likely need uk utility bill in your name sadly

enquiring

Thanks for the idea Avatar. I'd voted just before I left the country but am probably no longer on the electoral roll, and wouldn't show up anywhere else in checks. Don't want any trouble or complications so it'll probably have to be an expat account.

Avatar73 wrote: »

I'm looking into a similar idea; regarding a move to hong kong.

I'm still looking, but I think you could probably supply the friends address, maybe fib about how long you've been there, and maybe get an account.

however, i believe that it is against the T&Cs of most accounts to be a non-resident. Also apprently they might credit check the electoral roll, which you wouldn't be on, so that could be an issue?

enquiring

Yes, I'm not one for risking and complications! This would be to invest some money my Dad left me when he sadly passed away last year. The solicitor should be releasing the funds shortly. I don't want to bring the money to Greece due to the volatile political situation here, and in the eurozone overall. Very risky. The interest on expat accounts doesn't seem to be very good but I've only looked as HSBC so far. Any tips would be most welcome. I guess I can't buy UK bonds either but I haven't looked into that yet.

innovate wrote: »

You can't "credit check" the electoral roll - but you are right, a check (to verify your ID) is generally made against the electoral roll. You'd fall at that first hurdle. And "fibbing" when it comes to bank accounts sounds a very high-risk strategy to me!

Anyway - what are your requirements? What sort of an account do you need - current, savings, other? Not sure any of the main accounts are available to non-residents (or fibbers). But you might find what you are after in an offshore account - - Lloyds, Barclays, Natwest etc all offer them, and these accounts are open to residents and non-residents.

enquiring

I haven't got a utility bill, even if I'm still on the electoral roll. Appreciate the reply, as I hadn't thought of utility bills. Will have to go for an expat account.

plunt wrote: »

you should be able to open it and then fill out a form after set up to declare you are a non- resident. but not 100% but reckon you should try it! you will more than likely need uk utility bill in your name sadly

Voyager2002

Interest rates on UK savings accounts are also pretty low. I'm sure you can invest in bonds: check out Fidelity Investments and similar organisations to see what is going to be possible.

enquiring

I'll start with Fidelity. Tnx for the name. This is a new arena for me and appc any starting points.:beer:

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Interest rates on UK savings accounts are also pretty low. I'm sure you can invest in bonds: check out Fidelity Investments and similar organisations to see what is going to be possible.

plunt

best bet will be an offshore account. which typically will pay a rate as if you were in the uk with normal tax deducted. so may be around 2.6% instant access or even 3.5% for one year fixed

providers such as:

nationwide international:
http://www.nationwideinternational.com/

A&L international:
http://www.alil.co.im/

Lloyds offshore:
http://www.lloydstsb-offshore.com/


Ideas mentioned such as bonds are also a good idea! i know tesco has launched a bond for 5% and there are numerous others. Just make sure if you get a trade-able bond that its with a safe company ofcourse!

provision

BANKSTERS have made it impossible to hold a UK bank account unless the account holder has an address in UK, that he/she is the same person who pays the bills at that address. So expats are forced to open "offshore accounts" with unscrupulous banksters that demand much more personal/private information. I was recently asked to submit my CV and employment history and a complete history of all my overseas bank transactions. I am a pensioner & this is just another corrupt way for Banksters to syphon personal information from unsuspecting depositors. Excuse is, to "know their customers" (due diligence) wealth so eventually they can dilute your account. I have been with many offshore banks and can say, you are in a sticky situation in todays world of banker corruption. You should rather keep your cash physically in a safety box but bankster have this sussed too and are trying to ban the use of cash. Banks also wont pay any interest and for the coming decades, if they do, they'll find another way to charge you fees, so what's the point of having an account for them to drain from. It's about time people asked the question "KNOW YOUR CROOKED BANKER"