UK introducer bank if working abroad?

david72

I'm giving some (very early stage) thought to working abroad (either for a while, or possibly indefinitely) elsewhere in Europe (probably France, Germany or Switzerland, maybe Denmark or Sweden).

If I were to take the leap and do so, does it help to have an existing UK current account with any particular UK/international bank so that they can help you as an "introducer" for their local in-country bank to vouch for you (assuming that there may still be difficulties in opening a local bank account as a new resident otherwise)?

If this would still be a useful thing to do, I'm assuming that the possibly most helpful options would be Santander, HSBC or Barclays, or are there any other UK banks which have special relationships with other European banks?

Thanks for any advice!

baby_frogmella

Yes HSBC offer this. I used to have a bog standard current account with them & when i moved to Dubai a few years ago they helped me open an account in AED. Applied 5 weeks before moving & when i reached UAE, card & cheque book was ready for collection at HSBC Deira branch. They asked me for £50 but waived it when i threatened to closed my UK current account. Currently they're charging £100 for this.

http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/overseas-account-opening

Anthorn

Within the EU (for as long as we are still in it) you just walk into a bank branch and apply. I did that in France. It helps to have an address within the country but not always needed. There is nothing in EU law that I can see that demands that an account holder has to be resident in the country other than individual bank rules and that includes the U.K.

When the old Postbank system was in operation it was a lot simpler to open a European bank account but these days it's not really all that difficult.

colsten

Anthorn wrote: »

Within the EU (for as long as we are still in it) you just walk into a bank branch and apply. I did that in France. It helps to have an address within the country but not always needed. There is nothing in EU law that I can see that demands that an account holder has to be resident in the country other than individual bank rules and that includes the U.K.

Except through introductions by banks or reputable employers, I think you'll find that getting a bank account without being a resident is no longer on offer.

eDicky

The UK banks do not have any widespread local presence for retail banking in the countries you are interested in. The local banks will be more interested in your passport, rental agreement, employment contract, etc.

Voyager2002

I have worked in several countries (although not in Europe) and have never had any difficulty opening a local bank account. The UK is exceptionally difficult in this respect. An introduction from a reputable local employer is generally all that is needed.