UK bank for Expats?

[ARFBY]

Hi guys

Thanks to Betfair closing accounts for the Netherlands, I am now without a source of income. (I am semi pro gambler & temporary stay at home dad)

I need a UK bank account, but am a Singapore resident, so I don't have a UK address.

I have found some options: Wise, Monese, Revolut and Monzo all offer UK bank ID, without the proof of address that other banks require.

Does anyone have any personal experience with these or know of any other options?

Any help much appreciated.

[eyebeebe]

My girlfriend had her TSB account closed recently as she is not UK resident. It caused quite a few problems with her BTL and she was unable to open another traditional account. We realised that our Revolut accounts also have UK sort code and account numbers and let you set up direct debits. It’s then easy enough to either spend or transfer to a Swiss account. So far this is working well and the sums of money that are left in there aren‘t enough to worry about them going pop without any warning. We both have premium accounts, as we move decent amounts of currency around and withdraw cash at foreign ATMs.

[JeffreyD]

I think you are going to struggle.

This is from the Monzo FAQ

You can open a Monzo account even if you're not a UK tax resident. All you need is to live in the UK and have a UK address. If you don't have a UK address, we can't offer you a Monzo account.

[eyebeebe]

JeffreyD said:

I think you are going to struggle.

This is from the Monzo FAQ

You can open a Monzo account even if you're not a UK tax resident. All you need is to live in the UK and have a UK address. If you don't have a UK address, we can't offer you a Monzo account.

Revolut is active in Singapore though, so he should be able to do the client ID for a Singapore Revolut account and then activate the UK side of things. I live in Switzerland and haven‘t done any proof of address in the UK (but obviously did in Switzerland) and it all works fine.

[ARFBY]

JeffreyD said:

I think you are going to struggle.

This is from the Monzo FAQ

You can open a Monzo account even if you're not a UK tax resident. All you need is to live in the UK and have a UK address. If you don't have a UK address, we can't offer you a Monzo account.

Thanks Jeffrey, I've just found that out. I think I may only actually have one option. ( That's all need so I might be ok, fingers crossed)

[ARFBY]

eyebeebe said:

My girlfriend had her TSB account closed recently as she is not UK resident. It caused quite a few problems with her BTL and she was unable to open another traditional account. We realised that our Revolut accounts also have UK sort code and account numbers and let you set up direct debits. It’s then easy enough to either spend or transfer to a Swiss account. So far this is working well and the sums of money that are left in there aren‘t enough to worry about them going pop without any warning. We both have premium accounts, as we move decent amounts of currency around and withdraw cash at foreign ATMs.

Thanks for your reply

This has convinced me I have at least have one option, so I'll give it a go. Cheers.

Edit to add: Eyebeebe, Your account is a Swiss account, with an extra UK account added?

Edited by ARFBY on Tuesday 30th November 18:29

[eyebeebe]

ARFBY said:

Thanks for your reply

This has convinced me I have at least have one option, so I'll give it a go. Cheers.

Edit to add: Eyebeebe, Your account is a Swiss account, with an extra UK account added?

Edited by ARFBY on Tuesday 30th November 18:29

Yes, exactly. Opened in Switzerland and added UK and Eurozone accounts that work for internal transfers within Revolut, as well as receiving and sending domestic and cross-border payments.

[Mezger]

I also live in Singapore, UK accounts with Natwest, HSBC - both have our Singapore address, but they are accounts we originally opened in the UK before we moved overseas.

[ARFBY]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I've managed to open accounts with Revolut and Wise. I am still not sure these will help me load and receive funds from Betfair, but I needed a UK account for other purposes anyway, so I'm happy for now.



I may need to get an address in the UK to have full access to Betfair,

I can place bets on my old UK account, I just can't get any money out. maybe it can be a no access savings account, I didn't get very far with my Aston Martin saving up fund!