How can I manager my UK bank account when moving abroad.

mmmmh

Having been unemployed for 9 months, I found and accepted a job offer in Austria for 3 years but uncertain if it is possible to manage my UK bank accounts in the UK?

I have 2 current & 1 saving accounts in Halifax and HSBC. HSBC offers the oversea account service but there seems to be few HSBC branches in Austria. my ISA saving is associated with Halifax.

Just wonder how to access both online bank accounts outside the UK?

Do they (banks) identify your IP address for security reason? If yes, is there any method to access said online accounts, e.g. vpn?

Some friends told me their bank offer free service that diverts mail aboard, but uncertain if aforementioned banks do so.

If it is difficult, should I close the halifax bank account?

Thanks in advance. Any advice, recommendation and experience share will be appreciated.

Dimey

When I travelled to various countries around the world for 18 months I did all my banking with First Direct by phone. It worked fine. There was a special 24/7 telephone number that handled you fast to reduce costs.

I expect other banks have something similar both phone and online.

Archi_Bald

You should be fine.

May be inform your bank(s) that you will be working abroad, so they won't have an issue with you accessing your accounts from non-UK IP addresses.

Also make sure they have your mobile number, and that you have their phone number if dialling from abroad (along with your account access details, of course).

Dave101t

i do all my banking from china, no 'special' services required. just keep any keyfobs you need for transactions with you, and set up all payees before you leave (in case they need to text your mobile)
with Austria being in europe, freedom of movement and all that, im sure its even easier.

Dave101t

i do all my banking from china, no 'special' services required. just keep any keyfobs you need for transactions with you, and set up all payees before you leave (in case they need to text your mobile)
with Austria being in europe, freedom of movement and all that, im sure its even easier.

Lith

Dave101t wrote: »

i do all my banking from china, no 'special' services required. just keep any keyfobs you need for transactions with you, and set up all payees before you leave (in case they need to text your mobile)
with Austria being in europe, freedom of movement and all that, im sure its even easier.

Same here,


I have 4 accounts in UK (but im based in china) i just log on keep checking whats what move money around to show some 'activity' on the accounts (until my return to UK)

Ip address do't mean anything HSBC knows i log in via a Chinese ip address sometimes a Japanese address hell... even a hong kong ip address long as the details are right there is no law/policy to say you cannot log in from certain countries.... lol

agrinnall

Don't forget that as you won't be a UK resident you will not be allowed to contribute to ISAs in the future, although I believe it's OK to keep existing ones.

mmmmh

Thanks a lot. Both HSBC and first direct look fine for access overseas. I will inform them my mobile phone no. and address immediately.