Can I open a UK bank account from Ireland?

With its rich history, bustling cities, and close ties to Ireland, the UK is a popular destination for Irish citizens to live, work, and study. If you’re planning a move across the Irish Sea or just want access to your own UK bank account, you’ll need to work out the best way to set up your finances with some UK account details.

In this guide, you'll learn how to open a UK bank account from Ireland. We’ll cover your options as a non-resident and introduce you to the Wise Account, one of the simpler ways to send, receive and spend in both Euro and British pounds.

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Can I open a UK bank account from Ireland?

Unfortunately, having proof of a UK residential address is a standard requirement to open most UK bank accounts due to rules like government anti-money laundering regulations.

That said, there are some banks offering non-resident accounts to people living aboard, including in Ireland. Those accounts may be a limited version of the standard current account, or an international account that operates in GBP.

These are a few of the accounts on offer from some of the mainstream UK banks.

• Barclays International Account
• Lloyds International Currency Account
• HSBC Bank Account

Keep in mind that there are some potential hurdles associated with opening a non-resident UK account.

First, some UK banks have minimum balances that can be prohibitively expensive. For example, the Barclays International Account requires customers to have at least £100,000 or the currency equivalent to set up an account.¹

Second, you may not have access to all of the features a UK resident would. This is the case with the HSBC Bank Account, which states that you may be ineligible for certain features if you remain a resident outside the UK.² On the plus side though, it does mean that you would become eligible if you’re planning to move there.

Finally, some banks only offer their international accounts to people residing in a set list of countries. While you might assume Ireland would be on the list given its proximity to the UK and EU member status, it’s not always the case. For example, the NatWest International Select account is available to people residing in a host of countries from Austria and Belgium to Kuwait, Bahrain and South Africa, but not Ireland. ❌

Do I need to visit a branch?

Whether or not you need to visit a branch is up to each bank's process, but in line with the modern age most allow you to submit your application online.

What documents do you need for opening a bank account in the UK from Ireland?

When applying for a UK bank account from Ireland these are the documents you’ll generally be asked to provide²:

• Proof of identity (e.g. passport or driving license)
• Proof of address (e.g. bank statement, utilities bill, mortgage statement)
• Current employment, income, and tax details

Along with the documents, banks usually request you provide personal information during the application process which can include:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Phone number and email address
• Occupation and income information
• Debt information

Wise Account: Send, receive and spend GBP as a local

Sorting out banking in a new country can feel overwhelming, especially if you need a UK account before you’ve even arrived in the country. If you’re looking for a simpler way to manage Pounds sterling and Euros from Ireland, a Wise Account could be just what you need.

With Wise, you can hold and exchange money in over 40 currencies, gaining access to local account details for 9 of those, including EUR and GBP. Having local account details in the UK is a huge plus as it allows you to send and receive money just like someone with a local bank account.

When converting between GBP and EUR, or any other currency pair, Wise keeps things transparent. There are no hidden charges or inflated exchange rates, instead you get the mid-market exchange rate (the same you usually find on Google) with a small fee that’s always shown upfront.

After opening the Wise Account, you can have access to the Wise card, which works for everyday spending in 150 countries. When you pay in the UK, it automatically takes money from your GBP balance, and if there’s not enough money on that currency it converts from another currency at the mid-market exchange rate, helping you save on unnecessary fees.

Other benefits of the Wise Account:

• No account opening or maintenance fees
• Manage your account via website or Wise app
• Create free digital cards to use in the mobile wallets
• Make 2 withdrawals of up to 200 EUR each month for free⁵
• Receive money via SWIFT in +20 currencies

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Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 8 February 2025