Bank account for UK National living abroad

mrochester

Hello.

A friend’s daughter lives in Germany. She is a UK national. She has recently had a Barclays account closed down as they say she can no longer have an account due to living abroad. 

This lady has property in the UK so she needs a UK bank account for receipt of rental income. At the moment her mum is holding all the money in her name but this is not ideal. 

Does anyone know of a UK bank account that someone living in Germany would be able to open?

Many thanks. 

M. 

friolento

I don't think she can easily get a UK bank account any longer if she is not a UK resident (it's a Brexit dividend). But she can very easily get a Wise account which does nearly everything a UK bank account does, apart from FSCS protection and overdrafts.

With jumping through many hoops, she might also be able to get an HSBC Basic account. This account does have FSCS protection but other than that it's not got anything over the Wise account.

Another option could be Revolut. They have an EU banking licence, and she might be able to get a UK sort code and account number from them.

mebu60

Can she not "live at" (i.e. use) her mother's address?

sheramber

My son uses his brother's address and my DIL uses mine.

ellenvan

Maybe an account in the Isle of Man or channel islands might be OK?

DullGreyGuy

mrochester said:

A friend’s daughter lives in Germany. She is a UK national. She has recently had a Barclays account closed down as they say she can no longer have an account due to living abroad. 

This lady has property in the UK so she needs a UK bank account for receipt of rental income. At the moment her mum is holding all the money in her name but this is not ideal. 

Does anyone know of a UK bank account that someone living in Germany would be able to open?

If you don't want to commit fraud by stating you are a UK resident and using someone else's address you need to find a UK bank with a license to operate in Germany, particularly as you are talking about "buying" a new account.  Since the UK lost is passporting rights with Brexit the options are exceptionally limited. 

One option is to use a non-bank account like Wise, you don't have FSCS protection as its not a bank but you can give someone a UK sort code and account number then transfer the funds to their German accounts. 

Second option is to use an "ex-pats" account based in the Channel Isles or Isle of Mann which are in that grey area of not legally being the UK but also acting like they are in the UK for certain things. The only downside is that many are aimed at the more monied customers and can have a high minimum deposit to be eligible for the accounts. 

lr1277

Based on posts on this forum, I am led to believe HSBC allow you to be resident in the EU and have a UK bank account. This may be a basic account. And the account holder might have to spend a little time here opening the account, but it is an option, possibly.

eDicky

lr1277 said:

Based on posts on this forum, I am led to believe HSBC allow you to be resident in the EU and have a UK bank account. This may be a basic account. And the account holder might have to spend a little time here opening the account, but it is an option, possibly.

HSBC UK allow customers to retain their accounts that were held as UK residents when they move overseas (perhaps country dependant), but whether a non- UK resident can open a new account with HSBC UK is far less certain.

Just60

HSBC do offer a basic bank account to non-resident UK nationals.  It is a bit of a faff to open for people who are not internet and mobile phone savvy (my relative after Barclays closed her account), but once open it seems to be running smoothly. She also needed an account to receive UK rent.