Requirements to open an Account

Depending on the bank or building society where you choose to open a bank account, there may be slight differences in the documentation you are required to provide. However, UK law dictates that there are some documents which must be provided in all circumstances.

First of all, you need to be able to prove who you are. The easiest way to prove your identity is to take your passport with you when making an application. If you are an EU citizen, an official driver's licence or national identity card may be sufficient, but non-EU citizens will always need to show their passport.

Secondly, you will need to provide the bank or building society with details of your UK address, as well as your former address in your home country. Your proof of address must be a different document to the one used to prove your identity; banks usually prefer it to be a utility bill, a previous bank statement, or a medical document.

It may improve your application if you are also able to provide a letter from your former bank which demonstrates that you have been a reliable customer: especially if you can show that you have a good credit history. However, if you are not a British citizen you will not typically be entitled to any credit until you have proven financial reliability in the UK.

There are very few conditions that you have to meet to be granted a UK bank account, but if you are currently bankrupt you will not be able to open an account until you have been discharged. You will also be unlikely to qualify for a bank account if you have any previous fraud convictions.

You will be required to provide further documentation if you wish to open a student account. Student accounts can be beneficial; they may offer you a more flexible overdraft, or discounts on travel and entertainment. To open a student account you must be over eighteen years old, and provide confirmation of an unconditional offer for a place on a full-time university or higher education course in the UK. You will also need to provide proof of identity and proof of address.