Open a UK bank account

Open a UK bank account

Once you open a UK bank account with us at our Knightsbridge branch in London, you'll get the full financial strength of Barclays Wealth International behind you. Our London-based bank account services offer all the features and benefits you would expect from a top UK bank, combined with the financial flexibility and expertise of an international bank if you need it.

If you use internet banking, our UK bank account offers you telephone and online banking services for secure control of your current account whenever it suits you*.

But if you just need your UK bank to provide a checking account for your salary or income when you move to the UK, our UK bank account is ideal. Just remember that you can always use the expertise of Barclays Wealth International if your requirements become more sophisticated.

Online banking services

For access to your account and control of your transactions at any time*, our UK-based online banking makes management of your money easy from anywhere in the world.

Our online banking allows you to:

* Keep track of your balance and view your banking transactions
* Move your money from one account to another
* Make international payments
* Set up and control regular payments (standing orders) from your account
* Transfer up to £50,000 or currency equivalent in the UK or internationally
* Apply for additional services, including other accounts.

To see how our service works, click here:

Online banking demonstration

Opening a bank account with a UK bank

Barclays Wealth International, like all other UK banks, will need to verify your identity and your main residential address before we can open your new bank account.

To do this, we'll need to see some additional documentation with your account application, or certified copies of these documents. These could include your:

* Passport
* National Identity Card if you are from an EU country or a country in the European Economic Area
* Residence Permit issued by the Home Office to EU nationals, or
* National Driving Licence.

And we'll also need some proof of your address. You'll need two of the following, which should clearly show your name and principal residential address:

* A statement from a major bank or building society**
* A VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Diners Card statement**
* A certified photocopy of your Driver's Licence, which should clearly show your name and principal residential address
* A UK utility bill (gas, electricity, water, telephone, but not mobile phone) if your principal residential address is in the UK**
* A letter from a 2nd Consular Official, or higher, of a British Embassy or High Commission in your country. This letter must bear the official stamp or seal and show the official's name and signature

You may provide either an original document or a certified copy. To find out more about certified copies and our application process please click here:

Supporting Documentation

or click through to apply for a UK bank account with us.

Online checking account - moving to the UK

Barclays Wealth International can help you set up an online checking account before you even arrive in the UK. Having your account ready to use when you arrive will also give you immediate access to all the other services we offer, including:

* Mortgages
* Savings accounts
* Loans (subject to status)
* Banking and investment outside the UK
Bank accounts in the UK

Barclays Wealth International offers a sophisticated and versatile bank account in the UK. The account is included in our service packages, each of which offers different facilities and benefits to suit the varying needs of our clients.

Learn more about our service packages

UK banking

UK banking
UK offshore and international banking

Barclays is one of the longest established banks in UK jurisdiction. With over 300 years of heritage and expertise, Barclays Group now operates in over 50 countries. We are an AA-rated bank and we move, lend, invest and protect money for more than 48 million customers worldwide.

Where should your account be based? Depending on your requirements, you can open a UK bank account at our International Banking Centre located in Knightsbridge, London. Alternatively, you can choose to have an international bank account based at one of our offshore locations in Jersey, the Isle of Man or Gibraltar. Such an option could be ideal if you are living or working abroad, looking for a safe haven for your money, or moving to and working in the UK.

Although we are one of the leading UK banks we also have a truly international perspective, with a range of banking and investment products developed specifically to serve the needs of our international clients.

Getting a UK bank account

UK residents can apply for a Barclays Bank current account by visiting any Barclays branch or by applying online. If you are from outside the UK, you may wish to consider instead an international bank account. See below for details.

Getting a UK bank account

UK residents can apply for a Barclays Bank current account by visiting any Barclays branch or by applying online. If you are from outside the UK, you may wish to consider instead an international bank account. See below for details.

UK bank account

Our UK account in London comes with service levels designed for clients with a wide range of incomes and assets.

But whether you have sophisticated banking requirements or simply need a UK account to bank your salary, the international bank account provides the basis for all your banking needs.

International bank account

Our international bank account is available in euros, sterling, or US dollars. It provides immediate access to your money wherever you are and control over your everyday transactions.

• You'll get a Barclays Connect debit card (sterling accounts only) or a Barclays Deferred debit card (US dollar and euro accounts) to access your money immediately
• You can make withdrawals without notice (when your account has sufficient funds)
• You can run your everyday spending easily with standing orders and direct debits. We will supply you with a cheque book if required

Relationship Manager Service

If your UK and international banking needs are complex or demanding, we can offer you the services of a dedicated Relationship Manager. He or she can take the time to get to know you and your goals in life, and align these with the financial solutions that may help you achieve them. Available however often you wish, by phone, email and - where practical - face to face, your Relationship Manager has the authority to make things happen quickly on your behalf and is your access point to the wider Barclays Group.

The service is fee free. To enjoy it, you will need to hold a balance of £50,000 or more (or currency equivalent in cash or investments) with us, or for those who work in or are moving to the UK, an annual individual gross income of £100,000 or more (or currency equivalent) paid into a Barclays Wealth International account.

UK online banking services

Our UK-based International Telephone and Online Banking services help you manage your money both in the UK and abroad whenever it suits you*.

We offer you the ability to:

• Check your account balances and latest transactions
• Transfer money between accounts
• Make international and UK payments up to £50,000 (or currency equivalent)
• Save up to £15 when making international payments
• Set-up or amend regular payments (standing orders)
• Apply for additional accounts.

You can try our service for yourself using our online banking demonstration.

Personal banking UK

With our full range of personal banking options, we feel sure you'll find one that's right for you. Whether you need the flexibility of a current account or the higher interest of a savings account, we have a solution to suit.
You'll enjoy:

• Complete control over your savings
• A range of products and services to help you reach your savings goals faster
• Access to your money anytime, anywhere
• The flexibility of banking in person or by phone.

International private banking

International private banking
International private banking with Barclays Wealth

At Barclays Wealth, our banking and investment services are built around the requirements of our clients, both UK and non-UK residents. We have also designed different levels of services and products depending on our clients‘ incomes.

For international clients with £50,000 or more (or currency equivalent) to place with Barclays Wealth International or for those who are moving to or living in the UK for a period of time, an annual individual gross income of £100,000 or more we offer our Relationship Manager Service, which gives you access to personal financial, investment and tax efficient investment solutions*. You‘ll also enjoy an extensive range of banking and investment products usually only available from an offshore private bank. There is no charge for this service.

* Find out more

We also offer bespoke private banking services to wealthy clients in more than 140 countries including the UK. Wherever you live and wherever your financial interests may lie, our International Private Bank has a strong international presence both on and offshore, which means we can see every aspect of wealth from your unique perspective.

Private bank that offers a personal service

We draw upon a global network of Private Bankers from a wide variety of cultures, professions and backgrounds. So wherever you choose to bank, you are assured of a highly personal, multilingual service from someone who understands your worldwide needs.

Our Private Bankers have an extensive range of industry expertise, with backgrounds in business disciplines such as law, accountancy and finance. Many have entrepreneurial and international backgrounds so they understand the mix of business, personal and international wealth issues.

Barclays Wealth private banking can also offer you:

* Investment management
* Banking and credit solutions
* Financial planning
* Wealth structuring
* Client Life services

* Find out more

International banking that delivers innovation and provides flexibility

At Barclays Wealth International, we have developed a new approach to financial services. We provide international banking and investment services for clients:

* Living and working temporarily in the UK
* Living overseas
* Looking for a safe haven for their money

With a complete focus on the role of wealth in our client's lives, many of our clients see Barclays Wealth International as their own private bank. The reason is simple. Previously only a private bank would have been capable of offering the services produced by our Relationship Manager Service. They include:

* A dedicated Relationship Manager to help you make the most of your wealth:

- Support from your Relationship Executive to help when your Relationship Manager is not available (for those with balances of £100,000** or more, or for clients living temporarily in the UK with an annual individual income of £100,000** or more)
- Dedicated Service Executives to handle your day-to-day banking needs
* 24 hour*** online banking services
* Easy access to your money worldwide
* Day-to-day bank accounts in a range of currencies
* Mortgages
* Investment solutions
* Wealth management solutions

Apply for a Barclays Wealth international bank account
Capital protection for overseas residents

We can work with you to help structure your wealth in a way that gives you the protection you want. We can help you diversify your assets to spread risk, or help you to think about trusts to protect your wealth here in the UK and overseas. We may be able to introduce you to tax experts to help you manage efficiently your current and future tax liabilities.

We will also try to help you find a balance of protection and flexibility. Protecting your wealth needs in a way that doesn‘t cause its own problems such as, barring you from access to your capital for fixed periods when you may need access to it.

Private investment banking facilities

Barclays Wealth International can arrange a comprehensive investment management service covering a full range of investment products and strategies.

We can match you to a personal investment management team that will work with you and your Private Banker to tailor a portfolio to your investment goals.

We take an independent approach to investment recommendations to bring you the most appropriate products in the market, whether they are from the Barclays Group or third parties.

And through our links with our sister companies in the Barclays Group, we can bring you solutions and products normally only available to large institutions - but only if it‘s best for you.