top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon
Explore
arrow down

Bank trouble

With reference to the bank accounts with Santander UK (December edition), I was keen to finally be able to open an account with this bank.

I called them straight away to open an account in Norwich.

Nothing doing. I was told that you must be a full time resident in the UK, which means six months and one day per year.

For all of those who have Allied Irish Bank accounts, you can open a sterling account with them, which is helpful. All of the UK banks that we have spoken to have said the same: you must be a full-time resident, which is contrary to what we have been told about EU regulations.

Mark STEFFEN, by email

The banks’ reaction to your requests is legally wrong. Due to new EU rules, in autumn 2016 it became possible to open a UK account using an address in France – which most banks
formerly refused to do.

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*
Featured Help Guide
- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - but also contains significant general information pertinent to readers of other nationalities - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened
Get news, views and information from France