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Long term living abroad - bank use

With a prospect of living abroad for a period longer than an an extended holiday, does anyone know which banks/accounts and credit card account can cope with that?

It's not an issue of best charges or exchange costs, that's readily available, but knowing those banks that will accept a non UK mailing address and not add a security block if there are transactions in European countries that might be thought of as 'irregular' or suspicious thus triggering a security alert. Seems to be harder to accomplish that with tighter bank policies etc.

Will not be able to open accounts in foreign countries owing to moving around and foreign banks' policies etc. where you sometimes need to be resident or working in the particular country to be eligible.

T.I.A.

Comments

  • Archi_Bald
    Archi_Bald Posts: 9,681 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I don't know of any UK bank that won't let you keep all your accounts. You obviously need to give them a valid correspondence address but that shouldn't be an issue.
  • ognum
    ognum Posts: 4,879 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    It know the CC we use ask for re confirmation you are abroad after 6 weeks.
  • Aquamania
    Aquamania Posts: 2,112 Forumite
    Ainsley1 wrote: »
    With a prospect of living abroad for a period longer than an an extended holiday, does anyone know which banks/accounts and credit card account can cope with that?

    It's not an issue of best charges or exchange costs, that's readily available, but knowing those banks that will accept a non UK mailing address and not add a security block if there are transactions in European countries that might be thought of as 'irregular' or suspicious thus triggering a security alert. Seems to be harder to accomplish that with tighter bank policies etc.

    Will not be able to open accounts in foreign countries owing to moving around and foreign banks' policies etc. where you sometimes need to be resident or working in the particular country to be eligible.

    T.I.A.

    You will need a valid correspondence address so they know where to contact you if needed.

    You should be able to provide them with such an address. Perhaps where you currently live, as long as someone will be there to forward the post. Or perhaps a relative or friend you can trust. Or even your employer may oblige, especially if they are asking you to travel.

    But if you just want to 'disappear' for a while, then so will your financial products I'm afraid.
  • antrobus
    antrobus Posts: 17,386 Forumite
    Ainsley1 wrote: »
    With a prospect of living abroad for a period longer than an an extended holiday, does anyone know which banks/accounts and credit card account can cope with that?.......

    Google 'international expatriate banking'.
  • ColdIron
    ColdIron Posts: 10,357 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Hung up my suit! Name Dropper
    This is where offshore accounts come into their own
  • gt94sss2
    gt94sss2 Posts: 6,505 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Ainsley1 wrote: »
    With a prospect of living abroad for a period longer than an an extended holiday, does anyone know which banks/accounts and credit card account can cope with that?

    You will be ok with any of the big banks. I tend to prefer to give them a UK address to send mail too but Natwest, HSBC/First Direct and Barclays seem to have no problem with foreign addresses.

    Building societies may be more problematic.

    HSBC and Barclarycard even send me certain things overseas on request - even though my registered address is in the UK.

    Just make sure you take more than 1 debit/credit card just in case your cards become blocked with one organisation..

    Regards
    Sunil
  • flossy_splodge
    flossy_splodge Posts: 2,544 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    ognum wrote: »
    It know the CC we use ask for re confirmation you are abroad after 6 weeks.
    And in English........
  • Ainsley1
    Ainsley1 Posts: 404 Forumite
    Thanks all. Unfortunately project put in indefinite hold :-(
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