So which UK banks allow non resident British citizens to have accounts in the UK, i'm thinking those of us who are permanently in Thailand.

[Pumpuynarak]

As the topic title says, is anyone aware if it is possible ?

[Captain Monday]

Simply enroll with Coutts private bankers

You won't have any problems. 

[Photoguy21]

I am with Lloyds

[Pumpuynarak]

7 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

Simply enroll with Coutts private bankers

You won't have any problems. 

How much money do you need to have a Coutts bank account?

 

 

We specialise in helping international clients to invest or borrow. You need at least £3m to become a client, depending on where in the world you live.

 

 

[Kwasaki]

The banks you keep a UK address with nowadays, some are closing UK accounts of people who only have an address abroad.

[Pumpuynarak]

2 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

I am with Lloyds

and do they know and permit you to maintain the account whilst not resident in the UK ?

[Photoguy21]

Just now, Pumpuynarak said:

and do they know and permit you to maintain the account whilst not resident in the UK ?

Yes. I have been with them since 1972. Send any correspondence to my Thai address

[Pumpuynarak]

1 minute ago, Kwasaki said:

The banks you keep a UK address with nowadays, some are closing UK accounts of people who only have an address abroad.

I have a UK address (my son's) that HSBC have but i live permanently here in Thailand, their terms and conditions for having the account is that i must be a UK resident. I was wondering if there was a UK bank who permitted you to have an account with them despite not being resident in the UK.

[Pumpuynarak]

5 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

Yes. I have been with them since 1972. Send any correspondence to my Thai address

Bingo, could i open an online account with them without visiting a Lloyds bank in the UK ?

[Kwasaki]

24 minutes ago, Pumpuynarak said:

I have a UK address (my son's) that HSBC have but i live permanently here in Thailand, their terms and conditions for having the account is that i must be a UK resident. I was wondering if there was a UK bank who permitted you to have an account with them despite not being resident in the UK.

My On-line first direct bank that is associated with the HSBC accepts my Thai address but they have stopped new members applying now. 

 

Basically just keep your sons address your still a UK citizen.

[Sigma6]

Some UK banks have an offshore branch based in the Channel islands - I bank with HSBC expat in Jersey.
The sterling account functions the same as a uk account, with sort code, direct debits etc.

The entry requirements differ between banks, but this is another option.

 

I also have an account with Nationwide, using a family uk address - not had any issues so far after 15years overseas.

[thaiowl]

https://www.lloydsbank.com/international.html

[topt]

1 hour ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Bingo, could i open an online account with them without visiting a Lloyds bank in the UK ?

According to this you can -

https://www.lloydsbank.com/current-accounts/help-and-guidance/opening-a-bank-account.html

 

However it probably means you need a UK address and theoretically you should be a UK resident.....although it does not say that on that page if you dig down I don't think they will open one for you if you say you are not.

[driver52]

just get an 'internet bank' ie Revolut....

when I was in France as a UK passport holder I had a German bank account N26

[bradiston]

16 minutes ago, driver52 said:

just get an 'internet bank' ie Revolut....

when I was in France as a UK passport holder I had a German bank account N26

Revolut doesn't operate in Thailand. Try Wise.

Edited April 27, 2023 by bradiston

[driver52]

13 minutes ago, bradiston said:

Revolut doesn't operate in Thailand. Try Wise.

works fine for me.....a debit/credit card is a debit/credit card when using t'internet, n'est ce pas?

[bradiston]

3 minutes ago, driver52 said:

works fine for me.....a debit/credit card is a debit/credit card when using t'internet, n'est ce pas?

Ok, correction. You can't sign up with revolut if you give Thailand as your country of residence

[Freddy42OZ]

5 minutes ago, driver52 said:

19 minutes ago, bradiston said:

Revolut doesn't operate in Thailand. Try Wise.

works fine for me.....a debit/credit card is a debit/credit card when using t'internet, n'est ce pas?

 

You cannot apply for a Revolut card if you are in Thailand. 

Unless you want to faff around with a VPN.

[scubascuba3]

2 hours ago, Pumpuynarak said:

I have a UK address (my son's) that HSBC have but i live permanently here in Thailand, their terms and conditions for having the account is that i must be a UK resident. I was wondering if there was a UK bank who permitted you to have an account with them despite not being resident in the UK.

If you have a son in the UK your worries are over, just use his address and move on

[IvorBiggun2]

'Smile Bank'. I do not have a UK address but I have all my UK monies sent via them. Have been with them nearly 20 years.

[Thaindrew]

You can have an account with HSBC in the UK with a Thai address, if you are a UK Citizen.

[CFCol]

Royal Bank of Scotland. No problems.

[Chongalulu]

2 hours ago, Pumpuynarak said:

I have a UK address (my son's) that HSBC have but i live permanently here in Thailand, their terms and conditions for having the account is that i must be a UK resident. I was wondering if there was a UK bank who permitted you to have an account with them despite not being resident in the UK.

Frankly it’s less hassle to keep that arrangement going (also future proofs against changes in their policy) and do all your bank business on line anyway. Even when getting new cards as long as you have the details you really don’t need the physical card. You can even load the details on the wallet in your phone for contactless payments if necessary.

[Satcommlee]

Not strictly UK but HSBC EXPAT will open a GBP account for you in Jersey with regular UK sort code etc.. and faster payments system access, direct debits etc.. and even a proper UK Credit card.

 

I opened mine completely remotely from Thailand (Just needed Kasikornbank statement signed and stamped by bank for address ID)

 

There are certain financial eligibility requirements.

 

You can have EUR/USD/GBP accounts and a global money account with debit card that can hold many currencies inc THB.

 

[driver52]

1 hour ago, Freddy42OZ said:

 

You cannot apply for a Revolut card if you are in Thailand. 

Unless you want to faff around with a VPN.

sure...'banks' are interesting nowadays, I try not to use a 'physical card', I use 'virtual cards' online nowadays and cash when I'm out.....mind you 'out' is mainly on a push bike so I don't have to run a lardy vehicle ie less plastic needed ????

[NorfolkBoy]

I have lived in Thailand for over 20 years and originally had accounts weth Lloyds and Co-op Banks. when these were closed because of my Thai residency I opened an account with WISE and have been very happy with them

[Pdavies99]

Sorry but UK (and most EU) money laundering regulations and legal / regulatory rules state that to open an account, you must be a UK resident or EU and supply proof of address, ie an acceptable bill, and then a "background" check is effected.

I assume you are not on a UK voters list or registered for council taxes, you will find it impossible.

Like many suggest you should get an offshore bank account with say Hsbc, Lloyds, Skipton International etc.

 

I'm sure some may disagree with what I have said, good luck.

 

 

Edited April 27, 2023 by Pdavies99

[Expat68]

HSBC. Opened mine before I departed some 13 years ago

[Pdavies99]

2 hours ago, topt said:

According to this you can -

https://www.lloydsbank.com/current-accounts/help-and-guidance/opening-a-bank-account.html

 

However it probably means you need a UK address and theoretically you should be a UK resident.....although it does not say that on that page if you dig down I don't think they will open one for you if you say you are not.

Whatever you state, they will see are using internet from Thailand or a VPN, in either case they will effect a "background" check.

[Pdavies99]

3 hours ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Bingo, could i open an online account with them without visiting a Lloyds bank in the UK ?

Many UK banks allow an account to continue for non residents, but due to regulatory factors they have stopped new members, non resident from applying for new accounts.