Yes, you can open a bank account in another country, but the process depends heavily on where you are now, where you want to bank, and whether you plan to move there or stay where you are.
If you are a citizen or permanent resident of another country, many banks in that country will open an account for you even if you live elsewhere right now. If you are not a citizen or resident, the door closes much faster. Most countries treat non-residents as higher risk for money laundering, so banks either refuse them outright or require you to visit in person, bring extensive documentation, and often maintain a much larger minimum balance than residents pay.
The practical reality: opening an account remotely from outside a country is difficult. Opening one after you move there is straightforward. The timing of your move, if you are planning one, matters more than almost anything else.
Key Takeaways
- Banks in most countries will open accounts for their own citizens and permanent residents even if they live abroad, but require proof of citizenship or residency status.
- Non-residents trying to open accounts remotely face rejection from most mainstream banks, which treat them as higher-risk customers.
- If you are moving to another country, waiting until after you arrive and have a local address is faster and cheaper than trying to open an account before you leave.
- Online banks and fintech companies sometimes accept non-residents, but charge higher fees and often require a video call, passport scan, and proof of income.
- You will need a tax identification number in the country where you are banking, which usually requires residency or citizenship.
Opening an account as a citizen or permanent resident living abroad
If you hold citizenship or a permanent residency visa in another country, banks there will usually let you open an account by mail or online, even though you live somewhere else. You will need to prove your status — typically a passport, national ID card, or residency permit — and provide a current address in your home country or the country where you are banking.
The catch: you may not be able to do this entirely online. Many banks require you to visit a branch in person at least once, or they will ask you to have documents notarized by a lawyer or embassy official in your current country. Some banks will accept a video call with a staff member who verifies your identity in real time. Call the bank's international customer service line first to ask what they accept before you gather documents.
You will also need a tax identification number — usually a social security number or national ID number — in the country where you are opening the account. If you do not have one yet, the bank can sometimes help you get one, or you may need to contact the tax authority in that country first.
Opening an account as a non-resident
If you do not hold citizenship or permanent residency in the country where you want to bank, mainstream banks will usually say no. They see non-residents as customers they cannot easily monitor for tax purposes, and the regulatory burden is not worth it to them.
Your options narrow to three: online banks and fintech companies that accept non-residents, banks in countries with looser rules, or waiting until you move and then opening an account as a resident. Online banks sometimes accept non-residents because they operate across borders anyway, but they charge higher fees, require extensive documentation, and may ask for a minimum balance of several thousand dollars. You will still need a tax identification number or proof that you are not required to have one in that country.
Some countries make it easier than others. The United Kingdom, for example, allows non-residents to open accounts if they can visit a branch in person or pass a video verification. Others, like Germany and France, are stricter. Before you spend time on an process, call the bank and ask directly whether they accept non-residents, and what documents they need.
What documents you will need
The exact list varies by country and bank, but most will ask for the same core set. You will need a valid passport or national ID card, proof of your current address (usually a utility bill or lease dated within the last three months), and proof of income or employment. Some banks also ask for a reference letter from your current bank, showing that you have an account in good standing.
If you are opening an account as a non-resident, expect to provide more. Banks often ask for a letter explaining why you want to open an account in their country, proof that you have ties to that country (a job offer, property deed, or family connection), and sometimes a police clearance certificate showing you have no criminal record. A few banks ask for proof of the source of your funds — where the money you plan to deposit is coming from.
All of these documents usually need to be certified copies, meaning a lawyer or notary has verified that the copy matches the original. If you are explore from abroad, you may be able to have this done at your country's embassy or consulate in the country where you are banking.
The tax identification number problem
Most countries require you to have a tax identification number before you can open a bank account. In the United States, this is a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). In the UK, it is a National Insurance number. In Canada, it is a Social Insurance Number (SIN). In Australia, it is a Tax File Number (TFN).
If you do not have one yet, you usually have to explore to the tax authority in that country before the bank will open your account. This process can take weeks or months. Some banks will open an account provisionally and ask you to provide the number within 30 days, but this is rare. It is worth asking the bank whether they will do this before you start the process.
If you are a non-resident, some countries will not issue you a tax identification number at all unless you have a job, own property, or meet other residency requirements. In that case, you may need to provide a letter from the tax authority stating that you are not required to have a number, or you may straightforward not be able to open an account.
Timing: before you move versus after
If you are planning to move to another country, the easiest path is almost always to wait until after you arrive. Once you have a local address, a lease or proof of residence, and you are physically in the country, banks treat you as a resident. The process takes days instead of weeks, you do not need certified documents or notarized letters, and you can walk into a branch and complete it in person.
The only reason to open an account before you move is if you need to receive money in that country's currency before you arrive, or if you want to set up automatic transfers from your home country account. Even then, you can usually do this after you move — most banks let you link accounts from other countries once you are a customer.
If you are moving for work, ask your employer whether they will help. Some large companies have relationships with banks in the countries where they operate and can speed up the process or waive certain requirements for their employees.
Online banks and fintech alternatives
If a traditional bank rejects you, online-only banks and fintech companies sometimes accept non-residents. Companies like Wise (formerly TransferWise), Revolut, and N26 operate across multiple countries and have lower barriers to entry than traditional banks. They typically let you open an account with a passport, a selfie, and a video call, and they do not always require a tax identification number upfront.
The trade-off is cost and features. These accounts often charge monthly fees, have lower withdrawal limits, and do not offer the full range of services a traditional bank does — no overdraft, no loans, no investment accounts. They are useful for receiving money in another currency or making international transfers, but they are not a replacement for a full banking relationship if you are planning to stay in that country long-term.
Read the terms carefully. Some fintech companies restrict which countries they serve, and they may freeze your account if they detect activity they consider suspicious or if you move to a country they do not operate in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a resident to open a bank account in another country?
No, but it makes it much easier. Citizens and permanent residents can open accounts remotely. Non-residents face rejection from most banks, though some online banks and fintech companies accept them if you can pass identity verification and provide extensive documentation.
Can I open a bank account in another country without visiting?
Yes, if you are a citizen or permanent resident. You can usually explore online or by mail with certified documents. If you are a non-resident, some online banks accept video verification, but traditional banks almost always require you to visit a branch in person at least once.
What if I do not have a tax identification number in the country where I want to bank?
You will need to explore for one before most banks will open your account. Contact the tax authority in that country to find out how. Some banks will open an account provisionally and give you 30 days to provide the number, but this is uncommon. Ask before you explore.
Is it better to open a bank account before I move or after?
After is almost always easier and faster. Once you have a local address and proof of residence, banks treat you as a resident and the process takes days instead of weeks. The only exception is if you need to receive money in that country's currency before you arrive.
Will an online bank or fintech company accept me if a traditional bank will not?
Sometimes. Companies like Wise and Revolut accept non-residents in many countries and require only a passport and video verification. However, they charge higher fees, have lower limits, and offer fewer services than traditional banks. They work well for transfers and currency exchange but are not a full banking replacement.