UK bank account

UK banking services and UK bank accounts, from Barclays Wealth International

You can open a UK bank account for your personal finances before you arrive. We have streamlined the application process to help make the process quick and easy.

All you need to do is send us certified photocopies of your passport and proof of recent address. These copies need to be certified by an authorised person before posting. Details about the certification process are available on our page on Supporting Documentation.

Once the account is set up in the UK you can operate it over the telephone, in a local Barclays Bank branch or use online banking in most locations.

You can set up direct debits or standing orders for automatic payment of domestic bills such as telephone, water, gas and electricity. This ensures you won't miss a payment and avoids the bother of having to post cheques.

The account may include a pre-arranged overdraft limit so that you can pay for what you need, knowing that your credit is secure. We can also provide loan facilities.

The bank account offers a range of credit, debit and charge card options. These can be used in cash machines and retail outlets around the world.

Apply now to open a bank account with Barclays Wealth international before you start living and working in the UK. And for a limited time, when you open your new international account, you’ll be given the opportunity to earn a fixed 3% AER/Gross* on sterling savings and a fixed 2.5% AER/Gross with EUR and USD deposits. The New Client Term Deposit** is available on balances of £10,000-£250,000 (or currency equivalent) when deposited for the full 12 month term. No withdrawals are permitted and interest is paid upon maturity of the term deposit.

You can also call us on +44 (0)141 352 3986^†, or use our call back service.

Types of bank account in the UK

Opening a UK bank account with us means you can move easily between our services - from branch-based current accounts to relationship or (for those with balances greater than £500,000) private banking. These services can all be accessed in-branch, by telephone or online (in most locations) for maximum flexibility.

We also provide savings accounts into which you can move any surplus cash from your current account for a higher rate of interest, or treasury accounts that offer a fixed rate of return.

Opening a UK bank account

Contact Barclays Wealth International in your home country and we can open a UK bank current account for you before you arrive in the UK.

You will need to show us proof of identity and residence, and you can do this by presenting your passport and a recent utility bill. But, to help you get an account before arriving, you can photocopy the documents and send them to us after they have been certified by an authorised person.

To get further details on how this can be done, call us now on +44 (0)141 352 3986^† or use call back and we will send you a brochure with an application form.

High net worth bank account UK

You may require more hands-on involvement from us in your banking and wealth. This is particularly so if you have to manage complex family and business wealth matters.

If this is the case, our Relationship Manager service may be what you need. Relationship Managers take time to get to know you so that they can understand your objectives and circumstances, and so offer a more valuable and personalised service.

They can act on your behalf to put the resources of the Barclays Group at your disposal for things such as mortgages and investment as well as day-to-day banking needs.

The service is aimed at clients with balances of £50,000 or more (or currency equivalent) to place with Barclays Wealth International, or for clients who have come to live in or are moving to the UK, an annual individual gross income of £100,000 or more to mandate to a Barclays Wealth International account.

UK offshore bank account

Living in the UK as a non-UK citizen means you can use offshore banking to optimise the tax efficient possibilities of your situation. In case you want tax advice we can introduce you to our preferred tax advice partner, the international financial services firm, Ernst & Young. Offshore banking also provides the opportunity to use a range of banking and investment products in multiple currencies.

Apply now to open a bank account with Barclays Wealth international before you start living and working in the UK.

You can also call us on +44 (0)141 352 3986^†, or use our call back service.