Opening a current account as EU national.

benbay001

My girlfriend has recently moved to the UK from Spain and has a job offer from a local School.

She now needs to open a UK current account so that she can be paid.

I didnt think it would be too challenging, but having just been into Halifax and Nationwide, it seems that its going to prove challenging.

I dont intend to add her to any of the bills, shes simple going to pay me £200 per month to live here.

She doesnt have a phone contract (GiffGaff) and isnt yet on the electoral register.

So how can she open a current account without a UK proof of address?

She has a Revolut account which comes with a sort code and account number, but from reading online this is likely to frozen if she triggers one of many fraud alarms.

I did think of printing a statement from Revolut as i have changed the address on the account to my own, but as Revolut isnt a bank, this may not be acceptable proof of address.

Any help is appreciated.

Ben

spadoosh

I think Barclays offer a restricted account to an EU national using an EU address.

Probably best getting her on some form of bill if shes planning on staying for a while as shell need ID again soon enough. Presumably theyll want it for her job and a DBS check.

benbay001

spadoosh wrote: »

I think Barclays offer a restricted account to an EU national using an EU address.

Probably best getting her on some form of bill if shes planning on staying for a while as shell need ID again soon enough. Presumably theyll want it for her job and a DBS check.

Would a mobile phone bill do it?

xylophone

https://personal.natwest.com/personal/current-accounts/nonuk_eu_residents_hub.html

eDicky

She can easily open an account with Starling Bank or Monzo as a UK resident at your address without the need to verify that she lives there. They're mobile only so just sign up on their app in minutes, card arrives in a couple of days, also good for overseas use without fees for any visits to home country etc.

benbay001

eDicky wrote: »

She can easily open an account with Starling Bank or Monzo as a UK resident at your address without the need to verify that she lives there. They're mobile only so just sign up on their app in minutes, card arrives in a couple of days, also good for overseas use without fees for any visits to home country etc.

Thanks!
Any preference between the two?

Do you know whether either give postal statements? As was mentioned above, she may need proof of address for DBS check. It would be great if she could use the statement from either of these banks for her proof of address.

colsten

benbay001 wrote: »

Thanks!
Any preference between the two?

Do you know whether either give postal statements? As was mentioned above, she may need proof of address for DBS check. It would be great if she could use the statement from either of these banks for her proof of address.

My preference is Starling. Not least because I like their Euro account alongside my GBP one but also that they pay a bit of interest and don't do too much "in your face" promoting of add-ons (insurance, utilities etc) as Monzo does. Though it is probably a matter of personal like or dislike. Why not try both?

Getting a Starling statement on paper is straight forward - you download a PDF and print it. Whether it will get accepted by DBS I don't know but I don't see a reason why it shouldn't. Starling is a reputable bank, even used by Government departments.

Getting a 'proper' statement from Monzo [STRIKE]seems to be bit more involved - looks as if you need to ask their CS for one. But it's possible to get one.[/STRIKE] is just as easy (once you found the right place in the app) - download a PDF and print it.

Your GF should, however, register on the ER as soon as poss, to help any electronic ID checks. Beware that if you have any single occupier discount on your council tax that you need to give that up if she lives with you. And beware the Brexit dangers for EU 27 nationals, but presumably you are both following the drama closely.

benbay001

Thank you very much

Penelopa.Pitstop

Wouldn't it be easier to just add her to one of the bills and have immediate confirmation? Other option is to change Spanish driving licence to UK, assuming she has one. It's very good proof of addres.