Which account for Brit expat living abroad?

LintonW

I am still with the Co-op in the UK. They take 4.75% for ATM withdrawls abroad. So I'd like to get something cheaper.

In the country where I have a small business abroad the currency is non-convertable. You can't take it out in cash. Spending abroad on cards from here is limited to something silly, like $500 USD equivalent, which is why I end up using my Co-op cards a lot.

I have a good UK credit history including at my parents address. I recently ended up changing my Co-op address to my parents address in the UK, so I could collect new cards on a visit.

Which UK bank can I get an account with, given the last time I worked in the UK was decades ago, that has better foreign withdrawl rates than the Co-op?

One of my relatives in the UK got a Monzo account with just his passport, apparently, so I guess they rely on credit history for which I am OK. Anyone have any experience of opening an account with them, or suggestions for another bank.

I don't go into debt. But I don't have a lot of cash.

sillyhilly

Monzo or Revolut in my opinion.

[Deleted User]

The address for your UK accounts should be the address where you are now residing abroad.

eskbanker

LintonW wrote: »

Which UK bank can I get an account with, given the last time I worked in the UK was decades ago, that has better foreign withdrawl rates than the Co-op?

One of my relatives in the UK got a Monzo account with just his passport, apparently, so I guess they rely on credit history for which I am OK. Anyone have any experience of opening an account with them, or suggestions for another bank.

UK bank accounts are generally only available to UK residents, and Monzo is no different, as per https://monzo.com/faq/:

Do I need to be a UK resident?

Yes, you currently need to be resident in the UK to get a Monzo card. We hope to launch internationally in the future though!

Using a UK correspondence address is one thing, if acceptable to the institution(s) concerned, but a false declaration that you're actually resident here wouldn't be advisable within an application....

Voyager2002

Look at a prepaid card with zero withdrawal fees, one that you can top up from your Co-op account.

PRAISETHESUN

As a non-UK resident you may find it difficult to open a new UK account. I would recommend Monzo or Starling as they are great option current accounts for spending overseas, otherwise a good overseas spending credit card such as Halifax Clarity that you pay off in FULL every month would also be a good option (see: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/). As above however, I wouldn't advise lying on the application form by saying that you reside in the UK when you don't as this is fraudulent and can get you in a whole lot of hot water if discovered.

LintonW

I would never lie on an application form. Thanks for all the great suggestions.