Living or moving outside of the UK | Barclays (2024)

FAQs

Do I have to tell Barclays I'm going abroad? ›

You don't need to tell us you're going abroad, but make sure we have the correct mobile number for you. If we're concerned about a transaction made using your card, we'll text your mobile to check that it's genuine.

Keep your existing bank account

So, the answer to the question, “can I keep my UK bank account if I move abroad?”, is yes. Keeping your UK bank account open after moving overseas is the first option and there are a couple of reasons why you might choose to do this.

Having a UK bank account when living abroad is possible for both foreigners and UK expats. Likewise, both foreign and non-resident UK companies can have a UK bank account. However, the available options and difficulty in opening accounts will vary greatly depending on your account requirements and client profile.

In more serious cases banks may have found what they believe to be actual evidence of fraud or criminal activity, and in these cases the account will be closed without warning. In your case, you had banked with Barclays for your entire adult life, and almost all your finances were tied up with it in some way.

To set a travel alert for your credit card over the phone, call the number on the back of your card to get in touch with your bank. The customer service line will either let you speak to a representative on the phone or work with an automated system.

If you already use online banking, there's likely an online travel notice where you can enter your destination and the length of your trip. If you've got multiple countries on your itinerary, you can specify that as well. If you don't have online banking, call your bank to set up a travel alert on your account.

You can attempt to open a UK bank account as a non-resident. To do so, you will need to provide your bank with most of the same information that UK residents provide. Depending on your bank of choice, you may be able to apply for a bank account online or in person.

If you have no proof of where you live, you could use a temporary address. You could provide a letter from a hostel, refuge or the council. Ask the bank if they can be more flexible with their checks and try another bank if the staff aren't very helpful.

If you are a non-resident, you can open a business bank account in the UK with any central bank like Barclays International, Llyods Bank, HDFC Bank, NatWest Groups, HSBC, etc. The process is simple; you need to fill up a form and provide your passport or driving licence, proof of address, and a photograph.

There are a few expat-friendly banks in the UK including HSBC, Barclays, and Lloyds Banking Group. These banks offer both free and paid bank accounts and let you manage your account offline (at a branch) and online (website and mobile app). They also offer deposit protection up to £85,000 GBP.

Which bank is the safest in UK? ›

by However, the two strongest are Santander (AA) and HSBC (AA-). Hence, according to S&P, your money is a little safer in these two global banks than in their four UK-based rivals.

Some banks, particularly local ones will require that you apply to open an account in person and with proof of a US address but it is possible to open an account with a UK address, and don't forget that some UK banks will also permit you to open a US account such as the HSBC's Overseas Account services.

In most circ*mstances, once a bank account is closed it can't be reopened. You'll have to open a new bank account with your institution or bank somewhere else if you're unable to find an account that interests you.

Unclaimed funds and the Reclaim Fund

The Reclaim Fund collects money from bank or building society accounts that have been dormant for over 15 years and passes it on to the Big Lottery Fund to be allocated to good causes and social enterprises throughout the UK.

Sometimes, we may delay or decline transactions that we think are unusual, or even block your account until we can confirm that you're making the transaction. Keep your contact details up to date so we can get in contact quickly to keep any inconvenience to a minimum.

Yes. Cards issued by U.S. Bank can be used in most foreign countries for transactions. If you're planning to travel and want to use your card, let us know. Call us at the number on the back of your card, or add a travel note to your account digitally.

Yes, one of the most important things you need to do before going abroad is informing your bank. You want to make sure you'll be able to access your funds and use your debit or credit card while you're on vacation.

Do I need to tell my bank I'm going abroad? Yes! It's hugely important for customers to inform their bank of their travel plans in advance. This helps to protect against fraudulent activity and ensures that you have access to your funds while you are away.

We're here to help!

Fortunately, opening a bank account in a foreign country is totally possible — and totally legal, as long as you're not doing so for tax evasion purposes. However, it may take a few more steps than opening a domestic account would.

Once a bank account is opened, it remains the property of the account holder, as long as it is active. The account holder can continue to deposit and/or withdraw money as before, as long as the bank's requirements for proper identity documents are satisfied.

Can I have a bank account in a country I don't live in? ›

A non-resident bank account can make managing your money overseas easier. A non-resident bank account is an account you can open in a central location based in a country or territory you don't currently live in. These accounts are also referred to as Offshore Bank Accounts or Offshore Accounts.

Foreigners can open a traditional bank account in the UK as long as they have proof of the address, which sometimes it's hard to get. Good news is that there are companies like Monzo or Monese which offer UK bank accounts, even without proof of the address.

In the UK the The Daily Mail, The Guardian, The Times and The Daily Telegraph to name a few, have all detailed how banks including Lloyds, Barclays and even the Queen's bankers Coutts, will be closing expat accounts and withdrawing services.

Proof of address could be a: utility bill. council tax bill. mortgage statement.

If you want to open a UK bank account without proof of UK address, then the only online banks that may accept your application will be Monese and Revolut (although these will still require proof of residency in the EU/EEA or another country).

Acceptable documents providing proof of residence include:

Utility bills in joint names are permissible* Local authority tax bill valid for the current year** UK full or provisional photo-card driving licene or a full old-style paper driving licence (if not already presented as a personal ID document).

Yes, virtual business addresses are legal. In the UK, you can use any address for your business, as long as it is: (1) tied to a physical address and (2) located in the same country that your business is registered in.

Bottom line: Yes, you can keep your bank account if you move abroad. But, you need to check first with your bank to make sure that you aren't blindsided by account restrictions or unexpected fees when you do. That said, relying on your home bank account may not be the best option when living abroad.

Countries such as Mauritania, Singapore, and Mauritius allow foreigners to open Bank accounts. For example, tourists or foreigners in Mauritius, an island country in East Africa popular for its beaches and lagoons, can open current accounts. They, however, need... See full answer below.

What is the easiest bank account to open UK? ›

What is the easiest bank account to open in the UK? It's usually easier to open an account with one of the UK's largest banks - Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC or NatWest. These banks have been in business for a long time and are very safe.

If you have been working abroad and are planning on returning to the UK, you can open an UK bank account through a bank in the country you are currently living in. Some banks in other European countries will have what's known as a correspondent banking relationship with another bank in the UK.

If means that if you have substantial savings, you should make sure you don't hold more than the maximum of £85,000 with any one bank. Under the FSCS the first £85,000 of your savings is protected if the bank, building society or credit union goes bust.

The safest places to keep your money are savings accounts or electronic money institutions (EMIs) that are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), your savings will be protected even if the bank goes bust.

the full name and address of the person you're sending the money to (known as the beneficiary) their bank code – normally the BIC (Business Identifier Code) their IBAN (International Bank Account Number) or account number. the country or region of their bank.

The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your bank's policies and banking history. However, it's generally not difficult for a bank to block an account if it decides to do so.

Cash you put into UK banks or building societies – that are authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority – is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS deposit protection limit is £85,000 per authorised firm.

Keep your existing bank account

So, the answer to the question, “can I keep my UK bank account if I move abroad?”, is yes. Keeping your UK bank account open after moving overseas is the first option and there are a couple of reasons why you might choose to do this.

How long does an inactive bank account stay open UK? ›

However, there are general timescales across different types of accounts: Current account: Could be a short as 12 months, but still check with your provider. Savings account: Can vary from three years to up to 15 years.

In addition to the limitations that apply to inactive accounts, dormant accounts are not eligible for ATM transactions, phone banking, or internet banking.

A bank may decide to close a customer's account because of how that person has been operating it, or because of regulatory requirements, or because the bank also feels the relationship has broken down.

4. Account Freezing Orders. Under the terms of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (as amended by the Criminal Finance Act 2017), bank and building society bank accounts can be frozen for a period of up to 2 years to allow an investigation to take place.

It will usually occur where the bank suspects that fraud or money laundering may be occurring or is imminent. When a bank suspects money laundering, it has a regulatory duty to freeze the account and report the matter to the National Crime Agency (“NCA”) by filing a Suspicious Activity Report (“SAR”).

Direct deposit all government assistance funds

There are laws in place which require banks to review anyone who is subject to a frozen account. If you have government benefits, such as social security, that are deposited directly into your account, that money cannot be frozen.

Yes, you can use your card abroad. View a current comparison of our exchange rate for certain currencies, as a mark-up against the rate published by the European Central Bank. We'll charge a single non-sterling purchase fee of 2.99% every time you make a purchase abroad.

Yes! It's hugely important for customers to inform their bank of their travel plans in advance. This helps to protect against fraudulent activity and ensures that you have access to your funds while you are away. Be aware of any limits on the amount of money that can be withdrawn or spent while you are abroad.

Yes, you can use your card abroad. Here's a current comparison of our exchange rate for certain currencies as a mark-up against the rate published by the European Central Bank. You can find information about fees and charges in your statement.

A 2.99% fee charged by us for using your debit card abroad when making purchases, withdrawing cash or for refunds.

Can I use Barclaycard in USA? ›

Yes, you can use your debit card in millions of shops and cash machines worldwide – anywhere you see the Visa sign.

You can use your Barclays debit card almost anywhere in the world – no other card is more widely accepted than a Visa debit card, just look out for the Visa symbol. The card will work in the same way as it does in the UK although some countries may request a signature rather than a PIN.

Can I use a UK debit card in the USA? You can use any Mastercard or Visa branded debit card in the United States, though you should be weary of using it abroad as there may be fees attached.

If you are moving overseas permanently, you will need to eventually set up an account with a local bank. But if you are only there temporarily (which can still mean several years) and you are maintaining a US address, you may be able to get by using your stateside bank, depending on your banking needs.

Credit cards are widely accepted around the world and can also serve as a deposit, e.g., when renting a car. Credit card transaction fees are typically higher than debit cards. Most banks charge an average conversion fee of 2% for a credit card payment, that's 1% more than for a debit card payment.

Yes, your debit card and credit card are accepted internationally! If your ATM card is linked to a checking account, it can also be used at ATMs internationally.

An incorrect address could affect the banking and investment products and services we can offer you. For your accounts to stay open, you and everyone you have an account with need to live in the UK, and all the addresses we have for you also need to be in the UK.

The Barclaycard Platinum Cashback Plus Credit Card is a top-notch card for travel use, good for both purchases AND cash withdrawals in a foreign currency while abroad. Plus you get 0.25% cashback on all your spend until 31 August 2023.

American Express says the practice isn't necessary because its fraud detection capabilities can recognize when you're traveling overseas. However, they still recommend making sure your contact information is up to date in case they need to contact you.

Should You Use Cash or Credit When Traveling to Europe? Most international travelers will end up using a combination of cash and cards when visiting Europe. While credit cards are accepted in most situations, currency can be more convenient for public transportation and small vendors.

Which UK bank has no foreign transaction fee? ›

Yes, you can. The app is free to download and use, but you may incur charges from your mobile network provider, for mobile data, or internet use.