You need a UK bank account to get paid and pay rent, and the main hurdle is proof of address, which you won't have on day one. App-based banks solve this for most newcomers. This guide covers which accounts open easily without a UK address, what the traditional banks ask for, and how to bridge the gap before your account is live.
The classic catch is that high-street banks want proof of a UK address, and you don't have one yet. App-based banks like Monzo, Starling and Revolut are built to onboard you with minimal paperwork, often before you have a permanent address, which makes them the fastest route to a usable UK account. Open one of those first, then add a traditional bank later if you want one. A multi-currency account such as Wise can receive pay in the meantime.
Most traditional UK banks ask new customers for proof of identity (your passport and visa) and proof of a UK address, such as a tenancy agreement, a utility bill, or a bank statement. As a new arrival you have the first but not the second, which is the single most common banking headache for working holidaymakers.
There are two ways around it: open an app-based account that doesn't insist on a UK address upfront, or wait until you have a tenancy or a payslip that can serve as proof. Most people do the former first.
Digital banks are designed for fast, mostly-paperless onboarding through your phone, and they're the path of least resistance for newcomers:
| Provider | Type | UK address needed? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Revolut](https://www.revolut.com/en-GB/) | App, multi-currency | Often not upfront | Day-one account + moving money over |
| [Monzo](https://monzo.com) | App, UK bank | Usually, but smooth | A full UK current account |
| [Starling](https://www.starlingbank.com) | App, UK bank | Yes, flexible proof | A full UK current account |
| [Barclays](https://www.barclays.co.uk) / [Lloyds](https://www.lloydsbank.com) / [HSBC](https://www.hsbc.co.uk) | High street | Yes | Branch access, longer-term |
Each bank publishes its own accepted-document list (a UK tenancy agreement or your first UK bank statement is the most reliable proof for a newcomer), and the lists differ in the details, so confirm the current requirements on the provider's own site before you apply.
Barclays, Lloyds and HSBC offer the full branch experience, which some people prefer for paying in cash, larger transfers or mortgages later. They'll want proof of a UK address, so they're usually easier to open once you have a tenancy agreement or a payslip. HSBC and others run accounts aimed at people new to the UK, worth checking on their international pages. There's no need to rush a high-street account; an app account covers everyday life.
Once open, note your sort code (six digits) and account number (eight digits). Those two numbers are what every UK employer and landlord asks for to pay you or set up rent.
If you land work before your account is sorted, bridge the gap:
A multi-currency account. Wise gives you UK account details (a sort code and account number) that can receive a salary like any local account, set up from home before you fly. It converts at the mid-market rate with a transparent fee, so it also covers bringing your savings over and sending money home. Revolut offers a similar app-based account.
Open an app bank first. Because Monzo, Starling and especially Revolut onboard quickly, you can often have a usable UK account within days of arriving (or before), well ahead of a high-street account.
To move savings back to your home currency, the same rule applies: a bank's exchange-rate margin usually costs more than a specialist's fee. Wise and OFX are established options for GBP transfers. Compare the destination amount on the day.
Often yes, with an app-based bank. Revolut in particular can usually be opened before you have a UK address; Monzo and Starling are smoother than the high street but may ask for some proof.
An app-based account (Revolut, Monzo or Starling) is the fastest to open as a newcomer. Add a high-street bank later if you want branch access.
Your passport and visa for any account, plus proof of a UK address for traditional banks. App banks often need only ID and a selfie check.
Use a multi-currency account like Wise or Revolut, which gives you UK account details (sort code and account number) to receive pay immediately.
You'll want a UK account: employers pay into UK sort code/account number details, and rent and direct debits work best from a local account.
Sources: monzo.com · starlingbank.com · barclays.co.uk · lloydsbank.com · hsbc.co.uk. Last verified 2026-06-11.