The short version
- Yes, a foreigner can open a UK bank account. Most of the accounts we read are for people who live in the UK.
- Barclays asks for a passport or driving licence and a UK mobile number. Its app also wants three years of address history, and an eVisa means a branch visit.
- If you are legally resident in the UK and have no other account like it, the law gives you a right to a basic bank account at the nine largest providers. It is free for everyday use in pounds.
- HSBC says you can set up an HSBC UK account from many places abroad.
- FSCS protects up to £120,000 per eligible person, per bank, building society or credit union.
Can a foreigner open a UK bank account?
Yes. Being a foreigner does not stop you. Where you live matters more, and most of the bank pages we read on 26 October 2026 are built for people who live in the UK.
- Barclays. Its Bank Account asks that you are 18 or over and a UK resident.
- HSBC UK. Its international page says you can set up an HSBC UK account from many places abroad. More on that below.
- The law. The right to a basic account covers anyone legally resident in the UK. It does not depend on your nationality.
A visit is not the same as living there. Americans visit the UK on an ETA, which does not let you live or work there. See the UK ETA for Americans.
To live in the UK you need a visa first. If you are a Commonwealth citizen with a grandparent born in the UK, one route is the UK Ancestry visa.
What do UK banks ask newcomers for?
Proof of who you are, proof of where you live, and often a UK mobile number. Here is what two big banks list:
| Bank and account | What they ask for | Where to open |
|---|---|---|
| Barclays Bank Account | Age 18 or over, UK resident, UK mobile number, a passport or driving licence. The app also wants three years of address history | In the app, or a branch if you use an eVisa |
| Barclays Basic Current Account | Age 18 or over, UK resident, proof of identity like a passport or driving licence | In the Barclays app |
| HSBC UK Bank Account | Age 18 or over, ID, proof of address, and your job, income and tax details | In the app, or at a UK branch |
Proof of address is the usual sticking point. HSBC's guide to opening an account says that if you are new to the UK, a letter from a university or employer might be accepted. It also says people from outside the EU and Switzerland may need to show a visa or residence permit.
Barclays' basic account is for people who are not eligible for its standard account, have no UK account, or do not have standard ID. It has no monthly fee. It also has no overdraft and no cheque book.
Do you have a right to a basic bank account in the UK?
Yes, if you are legally resident in the UK. Regulation 23 of the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 gives that right. You also need to meet one of two tests:
- you have no UK payment account that already has the basic features, or
- you are not eligible for any of that bank's other accounts.
The rule says "legally resident" includes people with no fixed address and asylum seekers. It also covers people with no residence permit who cannot be removed for legal or practical reasons.
The right applies at banks the government has named. The latest report, published 5 November 2025, lists nine: Barclays UK, the Co-operative Bank, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group (with Halifax and Bank of Scotland), Nationwide, NatWest Group (with RBS and Ulster Bank), Santander UK, TSB and Virgin Money UK.
What the account gives you:
- No fees for everyday use in pounds. Services in another currency can carry a reasonable fee.
- No fee when a payment fails because there is not enough money in the account.
- No overdraft. If the account goes below zero, the bank cannot charge a fee or interest for it.
A bank must refuse when opening the account would break the law. That includes money laundering rules and section 40 of the Immigration Act 2014. That section bars banks from opening current accounts for some people who are in the UK without the permission they need to be there, where the Home Secretary has said no account should be opened. If a bank refuses, it must tell you in writing, free, and explain how to complain, including to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Can you open a UK account before you move?
At some banks, yes. HSBC says you can set up an HSBC UK bank account from many locations abroad. It does not list the countries.
HSBC's terms for this:
- You must be 18 or over and able to give ID and proof of address.
- HSBC warns that some account features may not be open to you while you live outside the UK.
- Its Premier account is open to people who meet one test: an income of £100,000 or more, £100,000 in savings or investments with HSBC, or holding and qualifying for HSBC Premier in another country or region.
Barclays asks that you are a UK resident, and the basic account right starts once you are legally resident. So for most people, the UK account comes after the move.
Before then, a multi-currency account can hold pounds and other currencies. We compare two in Wise vs Revolut, side by side. One simple setup is three accounts with three jobs, which we explain in the bank accounts that work abroad.
Canada's banks work differently, with some accounts you can open before you arrive. See how Americans can open a bank account in Canada.
How is your money protected in the UK?
By the FSCS, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. FSCS says it protects up to £120,000 per eligible person, per bank, building society or credit union. The limit rose to £120,000 on 1 December 2025.
- Shared licences. Where banks share a licence, FSCS treats them as one bank.
- Joint accounts. Covered up to the same £120,000 for each eligible person.
- Large one-off sums. Certain temporary high balances are covered up to £1.4 million, for six months from when the money first went in.
- How you get paid. If a bank fails, FSCS pays you automatically, within seven working days.
Some money apps are not banks and hold your money in a different way. Ask any provider how your money is protected before you keep a large amount there.