If you’re planning to move to the UK, study there, or work remotely for UK clients, you almost certainly will need a UK bank account. For most people, they’ll quickly contact a few UK banks to open an account, and almost immediately, they hit the same wall: “Do you have proof of UK address?”
Most people don’t.
This could be because you’re not living in the UK yet, or you’re based abroad but need UK banking access. After explaining this, the conversation usually ends there. The bank says they can’t help without proof of address. You’ve failed before you’ve even started. Okay, maybe saying you’ve failed is a bit of an exaggeration, but you get my point.
So, can foreigners open a UK bank account without proof of address? Yes, but only if you know what to do.
Let's explain why UK banks require proof of address, your realistic options, and how to navigate UK banking as a foreigner without the usual documentation.
UK banks aren’t asking for proof of address to be difficult. I know, I know it can be a bit annoying. They’re in fact required by law to verify customer identities and addresses as part of KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations.
These regulations exist to prevent financial crime, especially across borders. Banks must confirm you are who you say you are and that you have a verifiable connection to the address you’ve provided. This helps prevent fraud, money laundering, and identity theft.
For people already living in the UK, this is straightforward. You can provide a utility bill, council tax statement, or rental agreement showing your name and UK address. For foreigners who don’t live in the UK yet, or who live abroad permanently but need UK banking, these requirements pose a barrier.
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Technically, yes, but it depends entirely on which type of account you’re trying to open and with whom.
Traditional high-street banks almost always require proof of address in the UK. Their systems and compliance processes are built around this expectation. Applying to these banks without a UK address usually results in automatic rejection.
Some traditional banks offer international or expat banking services for high-net-worth individuals or specific professional categories (students, employees of multinational companies). These accounts sometimes accept foreign proof of address, but they often come with high minimum balance requirements, monthly fees, or qualifying restrictions.
Digital banks and fintech companies operate differently. Many were built specifically to serve people who don’t meet traditional banking criteria, including foreigners without UK addresses. These companies use technology to verify identity without always requiring physical UK residency.
Also read: Choosing the right payment setup for UK freelancers
Digital banks and fintech companies built their businesses around serving people that traditional banks aren't capable of serving.
These services typically verify your identity using your passport or national ID card, along with proof of address from your home country. They don’t require you to live in the UK. Once verified, you receive UK banking details that function as traditional UK bank accounts for receiving and sending payments.
However, they don’t offer full high-street bank services like mortgages, loans, or overdrafts (though some are expanding into these areas) and physical branch access (because they’re fully digital)
For foreigners who need UK banking access but do not live in Britain, these alternatives are often the only realistic options.
Also read: How to create US and UK bank accounts as a migrant worker in the UK
If you live and work outside the UK but earn money from UK clients, or run a business that needs UK banking, or simply need UK account details without moving to the UK, Grey provides a practical solution.
You don’t need UK proof of address to open a Grey account. Verification is done using your existing identity documents and proof of address from where you currently live. Once verified, you receive UK banking details (sort code and account number) that your clients, employers, or customers can pay into as if you had a traditional UK bank account.
Grey also offers GBP, EUR, and USD accounts, meaning you can receive payments in multiple currencies without forced conversion. You control when to convert money and at what rates. For freelancers, remote workers, and businesses operating internationally, this flexibility matters.
Grey isn’t trying to replace your local bank. It’s a layer that sits alongside your existing banking, giving you access to UK (and other) banking infrastructure without needing to physically live in those countries.
Also read: How Grey differs from a UK bank
If you need UK banking to receive payments, hold pounds, and manage money digitally, fintech alternatives work well.
Grey gives you GBP, EUR, and USD accounts with UK banking details, no UK address required. Verify your identity using documents from your home country, receive your UK sort code and account number, and start enjoying truly inclusive global banking
Open your free Grey account today or download the app and access the UK banking infrastructure you need, without the residency requirements you don’t have.
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