How to get a credit card if you live abroad

Cynic1947

I'm a British citizen resident in the EU. I have a UK bank account/credit card account (shared with my wife) with the Co-operative bank but they keep reducing the credit limit to the point where it's useless for major purchases. I've asked them to increase the limit but they refuse as I don't use the card up to the limit every month. British banks (and financial organisations generally) don't want to know you if you live outside the UK (whatever happened to the Single European Act?).
I'd like a UK credit card as I have a regular UK income. Does anyone know how or where I can get one?

HappyMJ

Cynic1947 wrote: »

I'm a British citizen resident in the EU. I have a UK bank account/credit card account (shared with my wife) with the Co-operative bank but they keep reducing the credit limit to the point where it's useless for major purchases. I've asked them to increase the limit but they refuse as I don't use the card up to the limit every month. British banks (and financial organisations generally) don't want to know you if you live outside the UK (whatever happened to the Single European Act?).
I'd like a UK credit card as I have a regular UK income. Does anyone know how or where I can get one?

You need a UK address. No UK address = no UK credit card.

Could you apply for a card in the country in which you reside? It usually doesn't matter where your income is earned.

InsideInsurance

HSBC has specialist products for expats but to get a credit card from them you first must open an expat current account and that requires a minimum balance of £5k plus initially £60k of investment (though that doesnt appear to stay post account opening)

Other banks have International/ Offshore arms for expats and may have lower requirements (Natwest seems to be £25,000 minimum but may be higher and their site dont make it immediately obv if CCs are offered)

eDicky

It's not immediately apparent why you would like a UK credit card, if only because your income is from the UK, when you presumably live in a country where your purchases and expenses are not in GBP. Many people receive their UK income such as pensions direct to their overseas bank account where they live, and use locally issued cards, which of course are more efficient to use in the local currency than most UK cards would be. If you do have payments to make within the UK, then you could open an 'offshore' account in Channel Isles or Isle of Man, using your address outside UK, use debit cards issued by them and make DD and FP payments in the usual way.

Aquamania

Cynic1947 wrote: »

I'm a British citizen resident in the EU. I have a UK bank account/credit card account (shared with my wife) with the Co-operative bank but they keep reducing the credit limit to the point where it's useless for major purchases. I've asked them to increase the limit but they refuse as I don't use the card up to the limit every month. British banks (and financial organisations generally) don't want to know you if you live outside the UK (whatever happened to the Single European Act?).
I'd like a UK credit card as I have a regular UK income. Does anyone know how or where I can get one?

As you have found, most UK financial institutions don't want to know if you live outside the UK.

Whilst there have been some possible suggestions, I think what is more important here is why your own bank not only refuse to extend any more credit to you, but are actively reducing your existing line of credit.

I know the reason they have told you, but I wouldn't take that as the whole truth. If you are using a UK credit card abroad regularly (since you live abroad) then the bank could make some serious money.

I would suggest you review all your credit files to see what else is worrying the current creditor.

If your existing bank and creditor are not prepared to assist, I think you will seriously struggle to find anyone new to help you.

(I have no idea what stance a provider in your country of residence would take towards an application by you, not least because you don't state what country that is)