Whether you are opening your first account, moving to the UK, or rebuilding after financial difficulties, this guide covers every route to getting a bank account in the UK. For switching an existing account and earning a cash bonus of up to £200, see the Bank Accounts and Switching hub.
Choosing the Right Account Type
Before you apply, choosing the right account type saves a rejected application — which can leave a hard search on your credit file.
| Account Type | Best For | Credit Check | Overdraft |
|---|
| Standard current account | Most employed adults | 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 only | Some |
| Business account | Self-employed, companies | Yes | Varies |
If you have CCJs, defaults, or a thin credit file, apply for a basic bank account first — banks are legally required to offer them without a credit check.
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 and Vulnerable Customers)
If you don’t have standard documents, banks offering basic accounts accept a wider range:
| 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 or submit ID documents | 5 mins |
| 4 | Verification (automatic or manual) | Instant to 48 hours |
| 5 | Account opened | Immediately 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)
Digital banks are the quickest route for most people. The entire process happens in-app.
| 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 | Immediately |
| 7 | Card arrives | 3–5 days |
Digital banks perform only a soft credit check, which does not affect your credit score and is not visible to other lenders.
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 only |
| Credit union | Community-based, often more flexible |
Banks are legally required to offer you a basic account regardless of your credit history. See our full guide to bank accounts for bad credit.
Opening an Account With No Fixed Address
| Solution | How It Works |
|---|
| Use a friend or 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, Shelter, and Citizens Advice all provide support navigating banking access without a fixed address.
Opening an Account as a Non-UK Citizen
| Your Status | What You Need |
|---|
| EU/EEA settled status | Proof of status plus 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, internationally friendly |
| HSBC | Global bank, experience with expats |
| Barclays | International student accounts |
| Metro Bank | Open 7 days, flexible approach |
Opening an Account as a Student
Student accounts come with an interest-free overdraft of up to £3,000 — useful during term time, but make sure you have a plan to clear it after graduation. See our student bank accounts guide for a comparison of current offers.
| What You Need | Details |
|---|
| UCAS confirmation or CAS | Proves you are enrolled |
| University letter | Confirms course and dates |
| Student ID | If already enrolled |
| Term-time address | University accommodation address works |
Opening an Account for a Child
| Age | Account Type | Who Can Open |
|---|
| 0–10 | Savings account | Parent or guardian |
| 11–15 | Junior current account | Parent or 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 or guardian ID, and proof of address (parent’s).
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 will 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 future 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 |
For a full comparison of which traditional bank currently offers the best deal, see our best current accounts guide.
Digital Banks
| Bank | Setup Time | ID Method | FSCS Protected |
|---|
| Monzo | 5–10 mins | Video and photo of ID | ✅ |
| Starling | 5–10 mins | Video and photo of ID | ✅ |
| Chase | 5–10 mins | Photo of ID | ✅ |
| Revolut | 5–10 mins | Photo of ID | ✅ |
All four are FSCS-protected up to £85,000. Revolut has an e-money licence rather than a full banking licence — your money is protected through safeguarding rather than FSCS directly, though a full banking licence was granted in 2024.
After Opening Your Account
First Steps
| Task | Timing |
|---|
| Activate your card | When it arrives |
| Set up online or mobile banking | Immediately |
| Register for transaction alerts | Immediately |
| Set up direct debits | When needed |
| Check for a switching bonus | If moving from another bank |
Useful Features to Set Up
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|
| Transaction alerts | Know when money comes in or out |
| Balance alerts | Avoid going overdrawn unexpectedly |
| Spending categories | Track where your money goes |
| Savings pots | Keep savings separate from spending |
| Direct debit visibility | See upcoming payments before they hit |
Already Have an Account? How to Switch
If you want to move your existing account to a better deal, the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) moves everything — direct debits, standing orders, salary — to your new bank in 7 working days, with a guarantee that covers any errors.
Many banks currently offer switching bonuses of £100–£200 in cash. See which banks are paying and what conditions apply in our best bank switching bonuses guide.
Common Problems and Solutions
Application Rejected
| Reason | Solution |
|---|
| Credit check failed | Apply for a basic account instead |
| ID verification failed | Try branch with physical documents |
| Address mismatch | Ensure all documents show the same address |
| Fraud flags on file | Contact bank directly to resolve |
Documents Not Accepted
| Problem | Solution |
|---|
| Utility bill more than 3 months old | Request a fresh copy from your supplier |
| No utility bills (shared house) | Use tenancy agreement or council tax letter |
| Name mismatch across documents | Ensure all documents show the same name |
| Digital bills not accepted | Request a posted version from the provider |
Waiting Too Long
| Issue | Action |
|---|
| No response within 7 days | Call the bank’s application line |
| Card hasn’t arrived | Check the address on the application, then contact the bank |
| Need account urgently | Visit a branch with documents in person |