Brexit
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Latest update
What this means for you
Frequently asked questions
Further information
Latest update
Our number one priority is to serve and support our customers.
You can find out more by taking a look at the information on this webpage.
What this means for you
For our UK-resident customers, there is no change to your everyday banking services.
For our EEA-resident customers, our aim is to continue to provide you with the same service as we do today, where we are permitted to do so. Should anything need to change, we will let you know, ensuring you have as much notice as possible.
More information is available at:
https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/consumer-guide-retail-banking-european-union-after-brexit
As our business is largely UK-focused, the impact on NatWest is not as significant as it is for many other banks.
We’ve already made changes to the way we’re organised to ensure we cancontinue to serve customers from 1 January 2021.
Our Ulster Bank Ireland DAC business will continue to provide services for our customers that live, invest and do business in the Republic of Ireland.
We continue to work closely with the UK Government to help us understand what the future UK-EU relationship means for the Financial Services sector.
Yes. Your money will continue to be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. More information is available athttps://www.fscs.org.uk/check-your-money-is-protected/
Frequently asked questions
Banking in the EU
Yes. There should be no change to how you make and receive payments to EU countries. And, of course, you can continue to access your bank account through the mobile app to conduct your everyday banking needs.
Yes. It will still be easy to use your bank card in ATMs across Europe, in much the same way as you can use it today when you go on holiday to non-EU countries, such as America or Australia. And, of course, you can continue to access your bank account through the mobile app to conduct your everyday banking needs.
No, all changes have been implemented successfully since March 2019 and we don’t anticipate any issues with your Euro payments.
However, the Funds Transfer Regulation (FTR) requires that all SEPA Direct Debits to or from a non-EU/EEA country include the payer’s address. To avoid collections being rejected, SEPA Direct Debit Originators must ensure that all payers’ address details are populated on their collection files with effect from 1 January 2021.
If a SEPA Direct Debit is not collected after the transition period ends, payers should contact the originator to ascertain the reason and if necessary, arrange an alternative method of payment.
We are a UK focused bank, so for the majority of customers, our services and products will remain the same.
Brexit: Your travel plans
Yes. You should check the website for the latest terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy that you have with your NatWest current account. And you’ll be covered for all insured health conditions.
The UK Government has launched its free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which you should apply for once your existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) expires and before you travel. Please note that your travel insurance would not replace the GHIC or EHIC on a like-for-like basis in relation to treatment that you are already aware you will need (eg ongoing kidney dialysis) and you should talk to our insurer about any pre-existing medical conditions before you travel.
If you would like more details please call our Travel Insurance team via Membership Services who can talk to you about the cover you have in place.
Yes, existing EHICs will remain valid until their expiry in the large majority of European countries. For up to date information please visit www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021 where you will find the latest details.
For customers who don’t currently have an EHIC or need to renew their EHIC, this can be done by applying for the new ‘UK Global Health Insurance Card’. You can do this at https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/
Like the EHIC, the GHIC is free to everyone who is eligible. You will need one card per person.
Yes, Travel Delay and Trip Abandonment cover will apply in line with the current terms and conditions.
Your policy won’t provide cover if you booked trips or (opened an account / purchased travel insurance) after any travel delays were known about.
You are not covered if you miss your departure due to leaving insufficient time to travel to your departure point. For example, if your planned route would usually take two hours and it is publicised in the media, or you are advised by your travel provider, that the same journey is taking four hours, you need to allow the extra time to travel.
It’s important you make yourself aware of any potential delays to your planned route in the days before your trip.
Our Guidance:
As there is the potential for travel delays, please plan accordingly. We advise customers to:
- Allow plenty of time to get to and travel through railway stations, airports or ports when travelling to the EU and check with your travel provider to see their latest advice on how early you need to arrive at your departure point.
- Ensure that any travel documentation such as passports have adequate time remaining on them. You can check at passport checker
- You will also only be allowed inside the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period unless you apply for a visa.There is more information here
- You should sign up for specific country advice via the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
You can check whether you need to renew you passport at passport checker. If your passport was issued prior to 1 June 2011 or has less than six months remaining on it, then it will need to be renewed to travel to the EU after 1 January 2021.
Yes, you can continue to use your cards to make payments or access ATMs as usual. There’s no change to the way you are charged for payments or withdrawals in other currencies.
Yes, you can continue to make payments as usual.
Yes. However, we may need to make short term changes to our travel money service so you should try to order at least five days before collection to ensure the currency you need is available.
We’ve no plans to change the currency exchange services we offer or to increase the charges that relate to these services. The exchange rate at the particular time you choose to make the transaction may affect the value of your transaction
In most cases, there will be no change to the products and services you use. However, if you have a packaged account, you’ll be unable to use any of the associated benefits whilst living overseas.
The time it takes for you to receive new credit or debit cards and any other correspondence will continue to depend on international and local postal services.
Netherlands: Your Account
When the UK left the EU on 31 January 2020, the UK entered a ‘transition period’ and was largely treated as continuing to have EU membership.
However, with the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, the way UK financial institutions can do business in EU countries has changed. Unfortunately, under Dutch Law we're no longer able to provide banking services for many of our customers who live in the Netherlands.
No. We must comply with local legislation in the Netherlands.
You must ensure you have put alternative banking arrangements in place by the end of the 60-day notice period.
You should:
- contact anyone who currently makes credits into your account such as a salary, pension, or standing order to advise them of your new banking details.
- make sure you transfer any balance to your new account and cancel any direct debits, standing orders or regular payments you may have set up on your account.
If you have a credit balance, please transfer this money to an account with another provider.
You can use your Online Banking or mobile app to easily transfer money up to £10,000 a day to another account.
If your balance is greater than £10,000 you can transfer your money over multiple days.
If you are not registered for Online Banking you can set this up by following our step by step guide- Criteria apply.
Please be aware that whilst we will not charge you for making a standard international transfer (taking 2 to 4 business days), your recipient bank may charge for the transaction.
You should make sure that you cancel direct debits, standing orders or regular paymentsyou may have on your account. Visit our Support Centreto find out how you can do this using Online Banking
You should contact anyone who currently makes credits into your account suchas a salary, pension or standing order to advise them of your newbanking details.
Whilst we will not charge you for making a standard international transfer (taking 2 to 4 business days), your recipient bank may charge for the transaction.
Netherlands: Other Questions
You should call us to update your contact details.
No, unless you are resident in the UK. Giving another address when you don’t live there can have unforeseen consequences for you. Addresses are often linked to other important services, so it’s important that the information you provide to us is accurate.
It can also help protect you against fraud. Please refer toTake Five - To Stop Fraudfor further advice.
The UK Government’s guidance shows you how your State Pension can be paid into a bank in the country you’re living in.
You should check with your pension provider to see whether they can pay the money from your pension straight intoan overseas bank account. Visit UK Government Pensionwisefor more help.
Further support can be found at:
Gov.ukto see how your State Pension can be paid into a bank in the country you’re living in.
Pensionwiseto see whether your pension provider can pay the money straight into an overseas bank account.
UK Financeto view theirConsumer Guide on Retail Banking in the European Union after Brexit.
If we don’t hear from you, we will close your account on the date stated in your letter and hold any funds safely on your behalf, which you can receive by contacting us.
As stated in our Terms and Conditions, we’re required to give you 60 days’ notice of our intention to close your account.
We’re working hard to understand the impacts the UK’s departure from the EU and actions we need to take to be compliant with local regulations across the EU. We’ll endeavour to continue to support our EU resident customers where we are permitted to do so.
There is no change to your existing arrangement(s). However, if you use your current account to make your monthly payments, you’ll need to find an alternative way to make these payments.
If you have an alternative UK bank account you can set up a Standing Order or Direct Debit to make your monthly payments. If this is not an option you can also make monthly payments to your loan via international transfer. Please make the international transfer to your loan account number and sort code. You will also need the IBAN number and BIC number which you will find on your account statement or via Online Banking or your mobile app:
Mobile app
- Log in to your app
- Tap on the account you want to see
- Select the three dots on the top right of your screen
- Tap 'View/Share account details' to see your IBAN and BIC code
Online Banking
- Log in to Online Banking
- Select the account you wish to view from the 'Account summary' screen
- Select the option 'View accountdetails'
- You will see the IBAN & BIC code listed on screen
When you make the transfer please remember:
- In the transfer reference you will need to include your loan account number and sort code and your full name
- Funds will need to be sent in GBP. If you send the payment in EUR the exchange rate could change mid-transaction and not cover the full monthly payment
- Transfers from overseas can take much longer than transfers between banks of the same country, so make sure to account for this. If the funds arrivelatethey mayhave an adverse effect on your credit file.
- You may be charged a fee by your bank for international transfers.
Please be aware that we’ll not be able to offer any additional lending and some additional restrictions may apply.
You will not be able to use your credit card to make new purchases after the 60 day notice period ends. If you don’t clear your balance in full after the 60 days you must continue to make at least the minimum payment each month until the balance is cleared. To avoid incurring interest on any outstanding balance, we encourage you to pay down your remaining balance as soon as possible.
If you need help repaying your balance please get in touch.
If you hold a current account with us, the easiest way to pay off your remaining balance is via Online Banking or the mobile app. The full list of ways to pay is detailed on the back of your statement.
If you don’t bank with us but do hold a UK current account, contact your local bank and quote the sort code on your Giro credit slip (found on your credit card statement) and your 16-digit credit card number found on the front of your card.
If you do not have access to a UK based current account, please visit our Pay By Card portal where you can continue making one-off or recurring payments to clear your outstanding credit card balance (note – your non UK bank current account may charge you a fee).
You should continue to make payments to clear the outstanding balance on your credit card, even after the credit card is closed. If you currently make payments to your credit card from a current account held with us, you will need to update the way you pay your credit card, as your current account will also be closed and you will no longer be able to make payments from this account.
If you do not have access to a UK based current account, please visit our Pay By Card portal where you can continue making one-off or recurring payments to clear your outstanding credit card balance.
If you are unable to continue making your minimum repayment to your credit card and require additional support, please visit our dedicated support page for further information on how we can help.
If you have no outstanding balance on your account you do not need to do anything. We will close your credit card account at the end of the 60-day notice period noted in our letter to you.
If you have a credit balance on your account we will return any credit balance before closing the account. If you have a current account with us we will return the funds to your current account via faster payment where possible. If not, we will look to send a cheque for the outstanding amount owed.
You will need to close your ISA with us. We will not charge any fees associated with withdrawing funds early.
You will not incur any penalties for withdrawing funds from Fixed Rate/Bond accounts early or transferring to another provider.
No, your mortgage can continue however some restrictions may apply. You will need to make alternative arrangements to make your monthly payment to your mortgage.
You should contact your financial services provider in the Netherlands to discuss options for sending regular payments to your mortgage account.
Please be aware, payments should be sent to us in GBP rather than Euros. International transfers can take longerto reach us so be sure to allow sufficient time for your payment to be made.
Please call us on 0345 302 0190 for information on where to send your payments. For Relay UK please contact us on 18001 0345 302 0190*
Alternatively, you can make payments using Manage My Mortgage via Online Banking or our mobile app. If you are not registered for Online Banking you can set this up by logging into the NatWest website and follow our step by step guide.
*Using Relay UK from overseas: Dial +44 151 494 2022. Relay UK will ask for the phone number you want and a Relay Assistant will be connected into your call.
If you need to make an urgent payment to your mortgage account, you can call us on 0345 302 0190 to make a card payment.If you are using Relay UK please call us on 18001 0345 302 0190*
Alternatively, you can make payments using Manage My Mortgage via Online Banking or our mobile app. If you are not registered for Online Banking you can set this up by logging into the NatWest website and follow our step by step guide.
*Using Relay UK from overseas: Dial +44 151 494 2022. Relay UK will ask for the phone number you want and a Relay Assistant will be connected into your call.
If you have a current account mortgage or offset mortgage with us there is no change to your existing arrangements. Any current account or savings account linked to your offset mortgage will remain open. Once your offset mortgage has been paid in full, any linked accounts will also be closed. If you have a current account mortgage that has been paid in full we will close the account from the date noted in the letter we sent you.
You will be able to earn and redeem your Rewards as normal up until 23:59 on 30 April.
From 1 May, you will no longer earn Rewards, and you will lose access to the MyRewards website. The MyRewards tile in your mobile app will also be removed.
Don’t worry - if you take no action before 30 April, we will automatically pay any cleared or pending Rewards to your NatWest current account by 14 May.
If you’ve already closed your NatWest current account (before 14 May) and think you have unclaimed Rewards, please contact the Customer Service team within 90 days of closure to discuss next steps:
Tel: (+44) 370 901 6790 (Relay UK 18001 0370 901 6790*)
*Using Relay UK from overseas: Dial +44 151 494 2022. Relay UK will ask for the phone number you want and a Relay Assistant will be connected into your call.
Yes. This account will be closed. If you are the UK resident account holder, please contact us before the date noted in the letter we sent you to discuss changing the account to be solely in name of the person who lives in the UK.
Yes. This account will be closed from the date noted in the letter we sent you.
Further Information
For more information on the UK leaving the EU:
