# How do I open a bank account here?

> Which documents, which banks, and how long it takes.

URL: https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/en/open-a-bank-account-abroad/  
Language: English (en)

## The problem

Nobody can rent, work or be paid without a bank account, or open one without proofs they do not yet have.

Who it hits: Every newcomer.

### The shapes it takes

- Online multi-currency account versus local bank
- Documents: passport, permit, proof of address, tax number
- The legal right to a basic account (EU, France, Germany, UK, Canada)
- Banks that refuse tourists
- Tax-residence and FATCA forms
- Money-mule and fake-agent traps
- Receiving money from abroad

### What this page gives you

Which documents, which branches, how long it takes.

## Where are you, and why do you need an account?

Nothing you choose or type is sent anywhere.

## The three picks

- **An online multi-currency account** — Opened from your phone with your passport, often before you arrive. It gives you local account details and a card, and converts money at close to the market rate — no branch visit.
- **A local bank account** — What employers, landlords and utilities here expect. Open it at a branch with the documents below — bring originals and copies.
- **A local account and an online one** — The local account for salary, rent and bills; the online account for money coming from or going abroad, at a better rate than most banks.

Which one: visiting → the online account; living, studying or working here → a local account; money to and from abroad → both.

Banks here usually open accounts only for residents — as a visitor, the online account is the way.

## Your right to an account

- **EU** (the EU Payment Accounts Directive (2014/92/EU)): Anyone legally resident in the EU has the right to a basic payment account — deposits, withdrawals, payments and a card. A bank may refuse only on money-laundering grounds, or if you already hold a similar account in that country.
- **FR** (article L312-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code (droit au compte)): If a bank refuses, ask for its written refusal (it must give it free; silence for 15 days counts as a refusal) and send it to the Banque de France. It names a bank within one working day; that bank must open the account within three working days of receiving your documents, with basic services free. The designation lasts six months.
- **DE** (section 31 of the German Payment Accounts Act (Zahlungskontengesetz)): Everyone — including asylum seekers and people without a fixed address — has the right to a Basiskonto. Use the official application form; the bank must open the account or refuse in writing within 10 business days, and BaFin can order it opened. It may charge a reasonable fee.
- **GB** (the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015): Nine banks must offer a fee-free basic bank account if you're legally resident and hold no other account: Barclays, Clydesdale and Yorkshire, Co-operative, HSBC, Lloyds (with Halifax and Bank of Scotland), Nationwide, NatWest group (with RBS and Ulster), Santander and TSB. You may have to apply for their standard account first; a refusal must come with written reasons unless fraud is suspected.
- **CA** (section 627.17 of the Bank Act): Under the Bank Act, a bank must open a personal account for you with acceptable ID — even with no job, no money to deposit and no credit history. It may refuse only in narrow cases (suspected fraud, false ID) and must say so in writing.

## What the banks ask for

- Your passport (original).
- Your visa or residence permit, if you have one.
- Proof of your address here: a rental contract or a recent utility bill in your name.
- Often a local tax or ID number, and sometimes a local phone number.

## Every country's documents and rights

- **France**: An ID (your passport) and a proof of address (justificatif de domicile) dated within the last three months. Sources: https://www.banque-france.fr/fr/a-votre-service/particuliers/droit-au-compte-bancaire · https://europa.eu/youreurope/bank_en
- **Germany**: Your passport. A normal account usually needs your registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung, from the Anmeldung); the Basiskonto needs only your ID. Sources: https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/wissen/geld-versicherungen/sparen-und-anlegen/das-recht-auf-ein-basiskonto-fuer-neu-in-deutschland-angekommene-12224 · https://europa.eu/youreurope/bank_en
- **Spain**: Your passport; residents are asked for their NIE (foreigner identity number). Sources: https://europa.eu/youreurope/bank_en · https://www.bde.es
- **Portugal**: Your passport and your NIF (Portuguese tax number) — get the NIF first. Sources: https://europa.eu/youreurope/bank_en · https://www.bportugal.pt
- **Italy**: Your passport and your codice fiscale (Italian tax code). Sources: https://europa.eu/youreurope/bank_en · https://www.bancaditalia.it
- **United Kingdom**: Photo ID (your passport) and proof of your UK address; many banks accept other documents in a branch, and some check your ID by selfie in their app. Sources: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/content/dam/maps/en/everyday-money/mh-fee-free-bank-accounts.pdf · https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/basic_bank_accounts_with_no_credit_check
- **Canada**: Two pieces of ID from a reliable source — one with your name and address, one with your name and date of birth — or one piece plus confirmation by a customer in good standing. Sources: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/industry/bulletins/access-basic-banking.html
- **United States**: Photo ID and a US address; many banks also ask for a Social Security number or an ITIN, though some open accounts with a passport alone. Sources: https://www.fdic.gov · https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number
- **Philippines**: Your passport and your ACR I-Card (issued once you've stayed over 59 days on extensions), proof of your Philippine address and ID photos. Branches usually turn away tourist-visa holders without the ACR I-Card; SRRV retirees open easily. Opening deposit: 3000–5000 PHP. Sources: https://www.expat.com/en/forum/asia/philippines/370218-id-for-opening-a-bank-account.html · https://www.bsp.gov.ph
- **Thailand**: Your passport with a long-term visa (work permit, retirement, marriage, education, LTR or Privilege), proof of your Thai address (lease, or a residence certificate from Immigration or your embassy), and often a reference letter. Since 2025 banks refuse tourist, visa-exempt and DTV stays. Opening deposit: 500–500 THB. Sources: https://itsbetterinthailand.com/how-to-open-thai-bank-account/ · https://thailand.go.th/issue-focus-detail/006_049
- **Japan**: Your residence card, a Japanese address and a Japanese phone number — short-stay visitors are generally refused. Sources: https://www.boj.or.jp
- **South Korea**: Your Alien Registration Card for most accounts. Sources: https://www.fss.or.kr
- **Indonesia**: Your KITAS (stay permit) and passport. Sources: https://www.ojk.go.id
- **United Arab Emirates**: Residents: Emirates ID and residence visa. Some banks open non-resident accounts with a passport, usually with a higher minimum balance. Sources: https://www.centralbank.ae
- **Mexico**: Residents: your residence card, CURP and often your RFC (tax number). Sources: https://www.banxico.org.mx
- **Türkiye**: Your passport and a Turkish tax number (vergi numarası), issued at a tax office. Sources: https://www.bddk.org.tr
- **Brazil**: Your passport and your CPF (taxpayer number). Sources: https://www.bcb.gov.br
- **Australia**: Your passport and an Australian address; many banks let newcomers apply online, then confirm ID in a branch. Sources: https://moneysmart.gov.au
- Singapore: https://www.mas.gov.sg
- India: https://www.rbi.org.in
- New Zealand: https://www.rbnz.govt.nz
- Malaysia: https://www.bnm.gov.my
- Vietnam: https://www.sbv.gov.vn
- Hong Kong: https://www.hkma.gov.hk
- South Africa: https://www.resbank.co.za
- Kenya: https://www.centralbank.go.ke
- Morocco: https://www.bkam.ma
- Egypt: https://www.cbe.org.eg
- Taiwan: https://www.cbc.gov.tw
- Cambodia: https://www.nbc.gov.kh

## Forms the bank will hand you

- A tax-residence self-certification: every bank asks where you pay tax (international CRS rules). Answer truthfully — it's routine.
- US citizens and green-card holders: Banks outside the US must report US account holders to the IRS (FATCA): expect a W-9 form, and some banks turn US persons away — try larger banks used to expatriates.

## Watch out

- “Agents” who charge a fee to open an account for you — the bank does it for free.
- Job offers to receive payments into your account and pass them on: that's money laundering (a money mule), and the account gets closed.
- Banking apps from links in messages — install only from the bank's own website or the official app store.

Ask for the monthly fee, the minimum balance and the card and transfer fees before you sign — basic accounts are free or low-cost where the law gives a right to one.

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