Living Abroad Life in the UK

Managing Your UK Bank Account From Abroad

Wise

22.09.15 (updated more than 1 year ago)

Read time 1 minute

###Whether you 're heading abroad for a short amount of time, or moving to another country permanently, it's a good idea to keep a bank account open in the UK.
Not only does it mean that you have easy and free access to money when you are visiting, but also any UK payments, refunds or unexpected tax rebates can be easily banked. We’ve put together a quick guide on what to look out for when managing your UK account from another country.

####Speak To Your Bank
It might seem obvious, but don’t forget to let your bank know that your situation is changing. Also, some high street banks offer specific services relevant to expats, so find out exactly what your bank can do to help make your relocation smooth. Many UK high street banks have an international arm - HSBC, Lloyds and Barclays, for example, all offer accounts to non-UK residents. Check with your bank what they suggest your best course of action is (but do shop around too).

####Set Up Online and Telephone Banking
If you don’t already have this, make it a priority - you won’t be able to pop into your branch to make sure a payment has gone through, or to cancel a direct debit you’ve forgotten about. Set up telephone banking as well: Many banks require a security code to be set up in advance these days, you won’t be able to just ring up from abroad and speak to someone about your account.

####Transferring Money Between Your Accounts
Most banks charge a fee to transfer money abroad - and their exchange rates can also be on the low side. Use a simple and secure system like Wise and save on bank fees. It’s very irritating to have to pay to access your own money, so avoid it wherever possible! Take a look at our article about keeping life simple when you are operating in more than one currency for some other good hints and tips.

####Consider Appointing A Power Of Attorney
If your UK financial affairs are complex, or you're moving somewhere very far away, you might want to consider giving a trusted person power to take care of some or all of your UK based financial transactions. If you're retiring abroad, make sure you take a look at our guide about what to think about from a financial perspective when making the move.

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This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

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