Money & Budgeting

How to Open a Bank Account UK — Complete Guide for Everyone

Step-by-step guide to opening a bank account in the UK. Includes options for bad credit, no ID, non-UK citizens, students, and those with no fixed address.

By PocketWise · · 5 min read

Whether you’re opening your first account, moving to the UK, or rebuilding after financial difficulties, this guide covers every route to getting a bank account.

Choosing the Right Account Type

Account Type Best For Credit Check Overdraft
Standard current account Most people Yes Often
Basic bank account Bad credit, guaranteed acceptance No No
Student account University students Yes Yes (interest-free)
Graduate account Recent graduates Yes Yes (interest-free)
Digital bank account Tech-comfortable, quick setup Soft check Some
Business account Self-employed, companies Yes Varies

What You’ll Need

Standard Requirements

Document Type Acceptable Documents
Photo ID Passport, UK driving licence, EU/EEA ID card, BRP (Biometric Residence Permit)
Proof of address Utility bill (last 3 months), council tax letter, bank/building society statement, HMRC letter
Additional Sometimes proof of income, student status, or employment

Alternative Documents (Basic Accounts & Vulnerable Customers)

Alternative Accepted By
Benefit award letter (DWP) Most banks for basic accounts
Pension letter Most banks
Employer letter (on letterhead) Many banks
Homeless charity letter Basic accounts
Probation service letter Basic accounts
Prison release documents Basic accounts
GP or social worker letter Some banks
National Insurance letter Many banks

Opening an Account: Step by Step

Online Application (Fastest)

Step Action Time
1 Choose your bank and account type 5 mins
2 Complete online form 10-15 mins
3 Upload/submit ID documents 5 mins
4 Verification (automatic or manual) Instant to 48 hours
5 Account opened Immediate after verification
6 Card arrives by post 3-7 days

Branch Application

Step Action Time
1 Bring all documents to branch -
2 Meet with bank staff 30-60 mins
3 Fill out application 15-20 mins
4 ID verification Immediate
5 Account opened Same day (usually)
6 Card arrives by post (or sometimes issued in branch) 3-7 days

Digital Bank Application (Monzo, Starling, Chase)

Step Action Time
1 Download app 1 min
2 Enter personal details 5 mins
3 Take photo of ID 2 mins
4 Record video selfie 1 min
5 Verification Usually instant
6 Account active Immediate
7 Card arrives 3-5 days

Special Circumstances

Opening an Account With Bad Credit

If you have CCJs, defaults, bankruptcy, or a poor credit history:

Option Details
Basic bank account Guaranteed acceptance, no credit check
Digital bank (soft check) Monzo, Starling — soft check won’t affect score
Credit union Community-based, often more flexible

Banks legally cannot refuse you a basic account based on credit history.

See our Bank Account for Bad Credit guide

Opening an Account With No Fixed Address

Solution How It Works
Use friend/family address With their permission for post
Homeless charity address Many provide correspondence addresses
Shelter accommodation address Can often be used
Workplace address Some banks accept with employer letter
Bank’s own arrangement Some banks arrange card collection in branch

Organisations that help:

  • Crisis — homeless services including bank account support
  • Shelter — housing charity with financial guidance
  • Citizens Advice — local support navigating banking

Opening an Account as a Non-UK Citizen

Your Status What You Need
EU/EEA settled status Proof of status + address
Visa holder Valid visa in passport, BRP
Student Student visa, CAS letter, university enrolment
Asylum seeker ARC card (Application Registration Card)
Refugee BRP or refugee travel document

Best Banks for International Arrivals

Bank Why It’s Good
Monzo Video verification, no branch visit needed
Starling Easy setup, international-friendly
HSBC Global bank, experience with expats
Barclays International student accounts
Metro Bank Open 7 days, flexible approach

Opening an Account as a Student

Account Type Benefits
Student current account Interest-free overdraft (up to £3,000), freebies
Standard account If you don’t want overdraft temptation
What You Need Details
UCAS confirmation or CAS Proves you’re enrolled
University letter Confirms course and dates
Student ID If already enrolled
Term-time address University accommodation address works

See our Student Bank Accounts guide

Opening an Account for a Child

Age Account Type Who Can Open
0-10 Savings account Parent/guardian
11-15 Junior current account Parent/guardian with child
16-17 Current account (limited) Child with parent consent
18+ Full adult account Young person independently

Requirements for child accounts:

  • Child’s birth certificate
  • Parent/guardian ID
  • Proof of address (parent’s)

See our Children’s Accounts guide

Opening a Joint Account

Requirement Details
Both applicants present For branch applications
Both IDs verified Each person needs ID
Both credit checked Standard accounts only
Linked credit files You’ll be financially associated

Warning: Joint accounts link your credit files. If one person has poor credit, it can affect the other’s credit score and borrowing ability.

Bank-by-Bank Guide

Traditional Banks

Bank Online Branch Basic Available Notes
Barclays ✅ ✅ ✅ Large branch network
HSBC ✅ ✅ ✅ Global presence
Lloyds ✅ ✅ ✅ Part of Lloyds group
NatWest ✅ ✅ ✅ Foundation Account for basic
Santander ✅ ✅ ✅ Branch application for basic
Nationwide ✅ ✅ ✅ Building society, FlexBasic
Halifax ✅ ✅ ✅ Part of Lloyds group
TSB ✅ ✅ ✅ Spend & Save basic

Digital Banks

Bank Setup Time ID Method FSCS Protected
Monzo 5-10 mins Video + photo of ID ✅
Starling 5-10 mins Video + photo of ID ✅
Chase 5-10 mins Photo of ID ✅
Revolut 5-10 mins Photo of ID ✅

After Opening Your Account

First Steps

Task Timing
Activate your card When it arrives
Set up online/mobile banking Immediately
Register for alerts Immediately
Set up direct debits When needed
Consider switching bonus If available

Useful Features to Set Up

Feature Benefit
Transaction alerts Know when money comes in/out
Balance alerts Avoid going overdrawn
Spending categories Track where money goes
Savings pots Separate goals
Direct debit visibility See upcoming payments

Common Problems and Solutions

Application Rejected

Reason Solution
Credit check failed Apply for basic account instead
ID verification failed Try branch with physical documents
Address mismatch Ensure documents match application
Fraud flags Contact bank to resolve

Documents Not Accepted

Problem Solution
Utility bill >3 months old Request fresh copy
No utility bills (in shared house) Ask for tenancy agreement, council tax
Name mismatch Ensure all documents show same name
Digital bills not accepted Request posted version

Waiting Too Long

Issue Action
No response in 7 days Call bank’s application line
Card hasn’t arrived Check address, contact bank
Need account urgently Visit branch with documents

Switching Banks

If you already have an account and want to move:

Service What It Does Time
Current Account Switch Service Moves account, direct debits, standing orders 7 working days
Switch guarantee Any errors during switch will be refunded N/A

See our Bank Switching Guide

Sources

  1. MoneyHelper — Everyday money