Can you keep your UK bank account when moving abroad?

Moving abroad is a hugely exciting experience, but it can also be daunting. There’s a lot to think about, including how you’ll manage your money in a new country.

At some point, it could be a good idea to open a local bank account in your new destination. But you might be wondering - can I keep my UK bank account if I move abroad, at least for the time being?

Find out everything you need to know here in this handy guide, along with tips for alternatives such as offshore bank accounts.

We’ll also show you a smart alternative to a bank account from the money services provider Wise - the Wise account. It’s not a bank account but offers some similar features, and your money is safeguarded.

Over 14.8 million people worldwide use Wise to send, spend and convert money in pounds, euros and 40+ more currencies – for low, transparent fees and mid-market exchange rates close to what you can see on Google. Plus, you’ll get dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts.

➡️ Learn more about the Wise account

Please see the terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

Can you keep your UK bank account when moving abroad?

Whether or not you can keep your UK bank account when moving abroad all depends on who you bank with.

Since the UK left the European Union in 2020, major banks such as Barclays announced that they would be closing the accounts of British people living overseas in Europe. This was to do with the change in regulations, which required banks to have separate authorisation in every EEA country they operate in.

However, Barclays will let you keep your account if you:¹

• Are a UK Crown employee, or the spouse/civil partner of one
• Are living outside the UK for less than six months, and plan to move back
• Have an address outside the UK that is for someone who manages your account (such as an accountant, lawyer or person with power of attorney).

But this Brexit-related change hasn’t affected all banks. One notable exception is high street favourite Santander, the Spanish-owned bank which operates in both the UK and across the EU.

Santander will let you keep certain UK bank accounts if you move abroad. However, it won’t let you open any new ones, as applications are restricted to UK residents only. And living abroad could limit your options for getting credit.²

HSBC says you can keep your UK account when you move abroad, but you’ll need to make an effort to keep it active.³ This means using it for payments from time to time, so that it doesn’t become dormant.

Do you need to tell your bank you’re moving abroad?

Yes, it’s very important to tell your bank that you’re moving - whether you’re going for a few years or retiring overseas permanently. Banks need to know the residency status of all account holders, especially if that status changes.

If you don’t inform your bank of the move, you could find that access to services like online banking are restricted once you’ve moved abroad. The bank could also freeze or close your account. You don’t want to risk cutting off access to your money.

Another reason to tell your bank that you’re moving abroad is that it could help you find new banking services in the country you’re moving to. For example, the bank could recommend switching you to one of its international offshore accounts - we’ll look at this in more detail shortly.

Do you need to update your address with your UK bank?

Yes, you should provide your UK bank with your new address. It may trigger the closure of your account, but it will ensure that you receive all relevant documentation sent through the post.

And if you’re keeping the account open, it means that your statements and other key documents will be directed to the right address.

How long can you keep your UK bank account while living abroad?

Policies vary between banks, but it’s likely that you’ll only be able to keep your bank account open for around 6 months after it’ll be closed.¹ This is according to Barclays policies, but other banks may give you a little longer.

Crucially though, the bank may only let you keep your account open if you are only abroad temporarily - not if you’ve moved to another country permanently.

What happens to your bank account if you move to another country?

In most cases, your bank will close your account once you inform them that you’re moving abroad.

You should get a letter confirming the closure, advising you to cancel Direct Debits and transfer any remaining balance to another account.

If you don’t do this by a certain date, the account will be closed and the bank may send you a cheque for any remaining balance. This is another reason it’s important to provide your UK bank with your new address overseas.

Which UK banks offer offshore bank accounts?

If your bank doesn’t let you keep your UK account once you move overseas, you’ll need to explore alternative options.

An international or offshore bank account for UK expats could be a good solution, especially if your current bank offers one. You can get in touch to discuss making the switch over to an international account.

Let’s run through a few UK banks which offer offshore accounts.

HSBC

You should be able to keep your HSBC UK bank account when you move,³ but you may be encouraged to open an international account instead.

HSBC has an Expat Bank Account that is specially designed for people moving abroad. You can set it up in either USD, EUR or GBP.

Once it’s open, you’ll have access to all kinds of useful features to help you manage your finances overseas. This includes savings accounts, investments, mortgages and a relationship manager.

Barclays

You can’t keep your Barclays UK bank account when you move,¹ so it’ll be closed automatically.

But there are alternatives available. One option is the Barclays International Bank Account, which you can apply for in 35 countries worldwide. It’s available in EUR, USD or GBP, but you’ll need a minimum of £100,000 in savings or investments to qualify.⁴

Lloyds Bank

It may be possible to keep your Lloyds UK bank account in your new country, but you’ll need to check with the bank.

Alternatively, there’s the Lloyds International Classic Account which comes in either EUR, USD or GBP. It has a monthly fee of £5 but this is waived if you keep a minimum balance of at least £5,000. ⁵

NatWest

You might not be able to keep your NatWest UK bank account when you move abroad, as it’s a UK-focused bank.

But it does offer international banking services, including a Cash Management Account available in multiple currencies. To qualify, you’ll need to be resident in one of the bank’s listed countries and be able to maintain a minimum balance of £25,000.⁶

Santander

Lastly, can you keep your Santander UK bank account? There’s good news here, as the Spanish-owned bank will let you continue to use your account as normal,² and keep savings accounts too.

But if you’re looking for an international solution for everyday money management, Santander does offer expat bank accounts too.

📚 Read more: The best UK bank accounts for travelling and travel insurance

What are the alternatives to a UK bank account when moving abroad?

The most obvious solution if you’re not able to keep your UK bank account is to open a new local bank account in your new country.

But these days, there are also a number of alternatives to a bank account to help you manage your money in another country.

Digital banks and money services providers like Wise, Revolut and N26 are a popular choice, as they’re set up to work internationally and let you do everything using just your smartphone. They also tend to offer travel-friendly debit cards.

Wise – An international alternative to a bank account

If you want a truly international account that works pretty much anywhere, check out Wise. Wise is a money services provider, offering a multi-currency account, international money transfer services and a debit card.

Open a Wise account and you can convert currencies or send money to and from the UK and many other countries.

You can also get a Wise card to spend in 160+ countries. This smart debit card automatically converts your money to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny currency conversion fee. Or it’s free if you already have the currency in your Wise account.

Here’s an overview of the main benefits of using Wise:
Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork Low, transparent fees and no-markup mid-market exchange rates Dedicated support and volume discounts for large transfers No monthly/annual account fees Sophisticated security and anti-fraud measures, with your money safeguarded Trackable and fast transfers to 140+ countries Low-cost spending in 160+ countries with the Wise card

✅ Sign up with Wise for free

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And that’s it - the lowdown on whether or not you can keep your UK bank account while living in another country.

Unfortunately, there’s no one definitive answer to this, as it all depends on who you bank with. But it’s good to know that alternatives are available for managing your money overseas.

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Sources used:

1. Barclays - Living outside the UK
2. Santander - Support - Brexit and Santander UK Plc
3. HSBC - Help
4. Barclays International- Banking
5. Lloyds Bank - International Classic account
6. NatWest International - Cash Management Account

Sources last checked on date: 11-Dec-2025