Also, I just noticed it in the middle of the page, but the Santander package comes with a credit card too? It’s not often you see banks offering credit to non-residents like that.
And I wonder how strict they are with the address- for example, could you provide a hotel address that you’ll be at for a weeklong holiday, or is it something they want to see officially registered (properly rented/owned)?
I’m not really sure about that.
The restriction on physical card issuance seemed to be mostly about not wanting to have to send cards internationally, as far as I could tell, so it may be possible to obtain a card if you have (even a temporary) Spanish address.
On the other hand, when you apply it does ask for Spanish tax identification numbers (a bit like NI numbers in the UK or SSN in the US) and, although you are still allowed to open a non-resident account without them, perhaps if you are saying you have a Spanish address this is taken as requiring them?
You also have to verify your address as usual during applications, which you couldn’t really do if it wasn’t at least a semi-permanent address (such as your own holiday property). They do require you to upload some form of proof of address as part of the application. Maybe it’s possible to set up the account first, then change the address to Spain and request a card (then possibly even change it back) but somebody would have to try that to make sure it works. There would be a bit of a risk that Santander wouldn’t like it and might close your account.
I have a permanent Spanish address (but non-resident account as I don’t live there or have a TIN) and am not allowed the credit card nor investments, not that I’d want them. My physical debit card has been lost in the post twice now, and I CBA doing another branch visit to sort that out next time I’m there so have left it frozen.
A Maltese bank that allows people in the UK to open an account.
Opening and managing the account is free of charge. Available in EUR, GBP, USD, AUD, CAD, NOK and JPY. No minimum deposit required. Deposits are guaranteed up to €100,000.
Interesting. Presumably comes with a Maltese IBAN?
I’ll find out in a week or two. Bit of a pain doing the selfie, don’t know why.
I tried signing up but they rejected my passport & selfie twice, so I gave up.
I got in (had to take selfie and ID twice, then send proof of address). Card on the way.
I was very intrigued by this as, with Bankera changing their T&Cs and now introducing unpalatable fees, I had closed that account and no longer had a physical EU-country BIN debit card for spending Euros directly or for cash withdrawals in the EU.
Santander’s Euro account above has been solid but cash withdrawals are restricted to Santander’s own ATMs if you only have the virtual card (as I do).
I signed up and completed the KYC initially, then had an email the next day requesting some clarification on certain things. I replied to that and my account was then opened within a day. I see from online reviews that some customers seem to have trouble with KYC but I didn’t. Also, the bank seemed to have some troubles under its previous owners, but recent reviews seem to be fine.
I’m happy to use them alongside my Santander account. They support SEPA Instant and provide you with a virtual and physical debit card with a Malta BIN. I am just waiting for my physical card to come in the post now. The IBAN is also Maltese.
The app is fairly simple but functional, I’m happy with them so far!
Based on their website it looks like their physical cards are non-embossed and no signature panel as well, which I prefer.
Also full Apple Pay support and, unlike Bankera, they are a fully licensed bank so you get the standard European Union Deposit Protection Scheme coverage.
I may have to give it a try myself and see how it is too!
The selfie was a pain. Rejected three goes on initial sign-up but worked first time when they told me to try it again.
A few thoughts - for the UK banks who say you can keep the account when abroad, it likely depends on which country you’re going to; some countries will be on the naughty list.
If you rely on receiving OTPs via text message, I’d be checking that those can be sent to a foreign number if required too.
I think it would be a hard no if you were going to a country on the sanctions list (North Korea etc.) but there’s likely unsupported countries too (Holland springs to mind). The OTP is a consideration but you could keep, say, a Giffgaff SIM and top it up now and again for that purpose. You can also get redirected numbers which might be a better option (we had one when we were in France and it was very cheap even then).
could request to send via email tbf
I wonder which banks offer that option
Don’t know any banks that do but AJ Bell does and Amex code is by email too.
first direct mastercard gives me an option either email or sms, i’m sure if you speak to customer services and ask them you’d prefer email otp they perhaps could arrange that
So here is the list I’ve gathered.
HSBC Hong Kong : https://www.hsbc.com.hk/
Very easy to open, can be done in 5 minutes via the app. Provides a Unionpay ATM card and Mastercard debit card all for free.
Charles Schwab international brokerage account: https://international.schwab.com/
Not exactly a bank account but they provide a debit card and chequebook. The debit card conveniently reimburses all ATM fees worldwide. Usually requires a $100 minimum deposit to order a debit card, sometimes can be ordered without it.
MeDirect: https://www.medirect.com.mt/
Maltese bank, provides a Maltese IBAN and a free physical debit card with an EU bin number.
Banco Atlantico: ATLANTICO Europa - O Banco do amanhã. Hoje.
Portugese bank, can be opened remotely online. Cheapest plan costs 4.99 euros a month.
Santander Spain: Online account with passport – Santander
Completely free to open online, virtual card only, physical card requires a Spanish address.
Banco Sabadell: Key Account - Account for non-residents in Spain
Can be opened online, annual fee of 160 euros. Provides a physical debit card.
Bank of America: How to Open a Bank Account as an International Professional
Requires to be opened in person at a branch in the US. US address is required (could be a mailbox). No SSN or US residency required. Capital One may also open accounts for non-residents without an SSN but it also requires an in-person visit to a branch.
Credit Agricole (Britline): https://www.britline.com/
French bank, not free, fees aren’t very transparent, requires a valid reason to open, ‘regular’ visitor to France is an acceptable reason.
HSBC Australia: International Bank Account | Overseas Account - HSBC AU
Can be opened online, requires a valid reason to open, technically saying you want to save in AUD is a valid reason but the account getting approved or not is hit or miss. HSBC are planning to leave the Australian retailing banking market in the near future.
Albo: https://www.albo.com/
Mexican online neobank, can be opened via the app and a physical card can be delivered to an address in Mexico, could be opened when going there on vacation. No local documents required.
Other options: banks in Turkey like Ziraat may open an account if you visit in branch as long as you obtain a Turkish tax id which you can get online once you enter the country. It used be really easy to open an account in China as a tourist, it has gotten more difficult now but some still get luckily. Similary in Thailand but it seems to have gotten even stricter.
HSBC US and Singapore can also be opened remotely without resdiency but they require premier status in at least one country.
Banks in Russia also open account easily to tourists (T-bank, Sberbank, Raiffeisen) but that is mainly due to foreign cards not working in the country due to sanctions. Other CIS countries such as Kazakhstan. are quite lenient towards opening accounts for non-residents as well.
Georgia has become a popular option in recent years but account opening requires an in-person visit to a branch.
This list is primarily geared towards UK residents and many of these options are only available to resident of certain countries but all them include the Uk.
The Charles Schwab one is interesting. ATM fees can sometimes be quite high, especially in Thailand. I assume they’d cover the 200THB fee each withdrawal.
