How does my dad get UK banking to receive his pension when he lives in Spain?

weebobby123

Hi everyone,

2nd banking question of the day! ( like buses all come at once )

My father lives in Spain for the last 10 years + .
I live in UK , own my house , have a decent credit rating etc.

He doesn't have a UK bank account as he gave up his RBS bank accounts when he moved to Spain (in hindsight he should of kept them on even if not using them).

My father has some private pensions from army and his career after army already which is paid to his Spanish account.

He wants to have his State pension paid into a UK bank account. So, the problem is how do we get him set up so that his pension can be paid to him in the UK when he has no residence here????? He rents a house in Spain since my parents divorced.

- any banks that do not ask for proof of address just proof of who you are eg passport ?
-try to use my address to set up an account for him?
-set up a joint account in both our names using my details ?
-just set up an account in my name and give him the account to use ? ( i am self employed so would need to double check the implications as do not want it deemed to be income to me)
- any other alternatives ?????????
-Offshore account in GBP like Isle of Man ? (he isnt wealthy)

mgdavid

He *may* be able to open a UK account using your address - but as he won't be on the electoral roll, or have much/any UK credit/finance history, he will most likely need to provide lost of documentary evidence of his identity and to be present in person in the bank branch.

xylophone

I wonder if he opened the Spanish version of the 123 would Santander assist with a Santander account in the UK?

https://www.bancosantander.es/es/particulares

jonesMUFCforever

He could open an international current account in sterling with most UK banks who offer offshore accounts.

Caladan

He doesn't need to be UK resident to hold a UK based current account (don't expect any bells and/or whistles on it, or indeed any credit interest). Banks don't like it (it's not very profitable) and they have the right to refuse on commercial grounds, but they have to consider an application and I believe they're not allowed to decline it solely on the basis he isn't UK resident (as long as he's an EU citizen).

All your father needs to be able to do is provide identification and proof of address - That means his permanent residential address, which presumably would be his overseas one.

I wont link you to a specific option in fear of being accused of bias, but he can do it.

There's some legislation about this somewhere but I can't find it in the 20 seconds I spent on a Google search, feel free to look yourself.

jonesMUFCforever

Caladan wrote: »

He doesn't need to be UK resident to hold a UK based current account (don't expect any bells and/or whistles on it, or indeed any credit interest). Banks don't like it (it's not very profitable) and they have the right to refuse on commercial grounds, but they have to consider an application and I believe they're not allowed to decline it solely on the basis he isn't UK resident (as long as he's an EU citizen).

All your father needs to be able to do is provide identification and proof of address - That means his permanent residential address, which presumably would be his overseas one.

I wont link you to a specific option in fear of being accused of bias, but he can do it.

There's some legislation about this somewhere but I can't find it in the 20 seconds I spent on a Google search, feel free to look yourself.

I beg to differ - without a UK address most banks will not open a UK account but will offer you their offshore accounts.

Caladan

I'm not familiar with the market as a whole, but basic banking facilities should be available to any and all EU citizens in any EU country who can provide the relevant documentation unless there is a commercial (or other) reason not too. I believe residency is not a valid reason.

As I said before I wont recommend a particular bank, but I am aware of accounts opened in similar circumstances for people in the past. Even though the company didn't really 'want' to do it, it still fit their criteria.

I think consumers may be discouraged from applying, but I don't think it's a genuine rule.

Edit: Rewording

mgdavid

Caladan wrote: »

......... and I believe they're not allowed to decline it solely on the basis he isn't UK resident (as long as he's an EU citizen)..........

can you quote any source for this belief, or is it like a religious belief, 'it just is' ?
Businesses cannot discriminate on the legislated grounds (sexual orientation, race, colour etc) but apart from that they can choose to have or not have as a customer who they want. And of course as the French demonstrate, it is very easy to put barriers in the way. For example it is easily justified to require an attendance in person to prove ID, which puts off those living abroad and unwilling or unable to travel.

[Deleted User]

weebobby123 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

2nd banking question of the day! ( like buses all come at once )

My father lives in Spain for the last 10 years + .
I live in UK , own my house , have a decent credit rating etc.

He doesn't have a UK bank account as he gave up his RBS bank accounts when he moved to Spain (in hindsight he should of kept them on even if not using them).

My father has some private pensions from army and his career after army already which is paid to his Spanish account.

He wants to have his State pension paid into a UK bank account. So, the problem is how do we get him set up so that his pension can be paid to him in the UK when he has no residence here????? He rents a house in Spain since my parents divorced.

- any banks that do not ask for proof of address just proof of who you are eg passport ?
-try to use my address to set up an account for him?
-set up a joint account in both our names using my details ?
-just set up an account in my name and give him the account to use ? ( i am self employed so would need to double check the implications as do not want it deemed to be income to me)
- any other alternatives ?????????
-Offshore account in GBP like Isle of Man ? (he isnt wealthy)

Why does he not want it paid into his Spanish bank account?

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad/payment

Caladan

mgdavid wrote: »

can you quote any source for this belief, or is it like a religious belief, 'it just is' ?
Businesses cannot discriminate on the legislated grounds (sexual orientation, race, colour etc) but apart from that they can choose to have or not have as a customer who they want. And of course as the French demonstrate, it is very easy to put barriers in the way. For example it is easily justified to require an attendance in person to prove ID, which puts off those living abroad and unwilling or unable to travel.

Looks like I read it in a proposal, research paper rather than an enacted law.

Further info here:
http://ec.europa.eu/finance/finservices-retail/inclusion/index_en.htm#maincontentSec1

colsten

Starline wrote: »

Why does he not want it paid into his Spanish bank account?

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad/payment

May be your dad could post directly here himself so he can explain what he wants and why, and answer any questions himself?