Moving Abroad2 min check

Expat Banking Checklist

Set up the right combination of UK, local and multi-currency accounts before you go.

Short answer

Once you become non-UK resident, most UK high-street banks will close your accounts (Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, Halifax all do this). Survivors: HSBC Expat (Jersey), Lloyds International, Santander International, Barclays International (£100k min), plus app-based options like Wise, Revolut, Starling (UK address required). Open the new account before leaving the UK.

Step 1 of 10%

Calculation method, coverage and version

Inputs used: Where will salary be paid?, UK financial ties remaining?, Move duration.
Calculation approach: The calculator applies the rules and assumptions described in “How it works” to the values you enter. Rounding can cause small differences from an official or provider calculation.
Coverage: Moving Abroad. UK nations, tax treatment, local rules and provider criteria can differ; check the official sources shown below before acting.
Content version: No page-specific review date is currently published. Treat the result as indicative and verify current rules independently.

Not included unless explicitly requested: personal circumstances not entered, provider discretion, future rule changes, professional fees and case-specific exceptions. Read the full calculator methodology.

How it works

The checker takes your destination, residency status and balance level and matches you against banks that accept non-residents from your country. Some banks restrict by destination (US persons face FATCA); others by minimum balance (£25k–£100k).

Worked example

Moving to Spain with £40k savings: HSBC Expat opens easily online, holds GBP/EUR/USD, costs nothing if balance £50k+. Pair with Wise multi-currency for daily spending. Keep one UK fintech (Revolut Standard) for UK direct debits.

Who should use this

•Anyone leaving the UK for 12+ months
•UK pensioners retiring abroad
•Digital nomads needing GBP banking
•Returning expats needing UK accounts

Common mistakes

×Lying to your UK bank about address — closure + asset freeze risk
×Closing UK accounts too early — keep one for pension/tax purposes
×Choosing banks that don't serve US persons if you have any US ties
×Forgetting to update HMRC and the DWP with the new address

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep my UK ISA?▾

Yes, but you can't pay into it once non-resident. Stocks & shares ISAs are kept; cash ISAs may be closed by some providers.

What about Premium Bonds?▾

NS&I lets non-residents hold (but not buy more) Premium Bonds. Prizes paid into a UK bank.

Best for digital nomads?▾

Wise + Revolut + a UK address-friendly bank like Starling (uses correspondence address).

Related calculators

Currency Transfer Calculator →Tax Residency Checker →Moving Abroad Cost Calculator →Cost of Living Comparison →