What you need before you walk into a bank

Most UK banks will ask for two forms of identification and proof of your address before they open an account. One form of ID should be a passport or photocard driving licence. The second can be a birth certificate, national insurance letter, or older photocard driving licence. For proof of address, bring a recent utility bill, council tax bill, or mortgage statement — usually dated within the last three months.

If you don't have a passport or driving licence, you can still open an account. Some banks accept a national ID card from another EU country, or a travel document. Call the bank's customer service line before you visit to confirm what they will take, because requirements vary between providers and between their branches.

You'll also need to know your National Insurance number. If you don't have it, you can find it on any tax letter, payslip, or P60 form. If you've never worked and don't have one, you can request it from HMRC — this takes a few weeks, so plan ahead.

Key Takeaways

  • You need two forms of ID (one photo-based), proof of address from the last three months, and your National Insurance number before most banks will open an account.
  • High street banks like Barclays, Lloyds, and NatWest have branches across the UK, but building societies and online-only banks have different requirements and may be faster.
  • Opening an account in person at a branch usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, while online applications can take one to three working days for approval.
  • If you have no credit history or a poor one, a basic bank account or a building society account may be easier to open than a standard current account.
  • Once your account is open, you can set up direct debits and standing orders when ready, but debit cards usually arrive within five to seven working days.

High street banks versus building societies versus online-only banks

The three main routes differ in speed, location, and what they ask for. High street banks — Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, HSBC, Santander — have branches in most towns and cities. They offer current accounts with overdrafts, savings accounts, and mortgages. Opening an account in a branch takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Online applications through their websites can take one to three working days for approval, and your debit card arrives by post within five to seven working days.

Building societies like Nationwide, Yorkshire, and Coventry are mutual organisations owned by their members rather than shareholders. They typically have fewer branches than the big banks, but their staff often spend more time with each customer. They ask for the same documents as high street banks and take similar timescales. Some building societies are stricter about proof of address if you've recently moved.

Online-only banks like Revolut, Wise, and Starling have no physical branches. You open an account entirely through an app or website, usually in under 10 minutes. They ask for ID and proof of address but often accept digital versions — a photo of your passport and a utility bill screenshot. They issue a debit card within three to five working days. The trade-off is that you cannot walk into a branch if something goes wrong, though most have phone support and in-app chat.

Step-by-step: opening an account in a branch

Find your nearest branch using the bank's website branch locator. Call ahead if you want to book an appointment — some branches require this, others operate on a walk-in basis. Bring your two forms of ID, proof of address, and your National Insurance number written down.

When you arrive, tell the staff member you want to open a current account (or savings account, depending on what you need). They will ask you questions about your employment, income, and how you plan to use the account. Answer honestly — they are checking for fraud and money-laundering risk, not judging you. They will then run a credit check with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. This takes a few minutes and shows up on your credit file as a "hard search", but it does not damage your credit score.

Once approved, you'll sign documents and choose a PIN for your debit card. The bank will give you your account number and sort code when ready. Your debit card arrives by post within five to seven working days. You can use your account number and sort code to set up direct debits or standing orders before the card arrives.

Opening an account online: what to expect

Visit the bank's website and click "open an account" or "sign up". You'll enter your name, date of birth, address, and National Insurance number. The bank will ask why you want the account — choose "personal use" or "salary payments" depending on your situation.

Next, you'll upload or photograph your ID and proof of address. Most banks accept a photo of your passport or driving licence, and a digital copy of a utility bill or council tax bill. Make sure the documents are clear and all four corners are visible. If the upload fails, try a different file format — JPG usually works better than PNG.

The bank will then run a credit check and verify your identity with the UK electoral register. This usually takes one to three working days. You'll receive an email or notification in the app telling you whether you've been approved. If approved, your account opens when ready and you can log in to see your account number and sort code. Your debit card is posted within three to five working days.

If you have no credit history or a poor one

Standard current accounts run a credit check and may decline you if you have no history or a low score. If this happens, ask about a basic bank account. These are offered by most high street banks and building societies. They have no overdraft, no interest on savings, and no perks — but they have no credit check either. You need the same documents (ID, proof of address, National Insurance number), and approval is usually automatic.

Basic accounts let you pay bills, receive wages, and withdraw cash. You cannot go overdrawn, so if you spend more than you have, transactions will be declined. This is actually useful if you're rebuilding credit, because it forces you to stay in control. After 12 months of using a basic account responsibly, you can often upgrade to a standard current account with an overdraft.

Another option is a building society account. Building societies tend to be more lenient with credit checks than high street banks, especially if you have a local connection to the area they serve. Call your nearest building society and ask whether they offer accounts to people with no credit history.

What happens after your account opens

Once your account is live, you can use your account number and sort code when ready — you don't have to wait for your debit card. This means you can set up direct debits for bills, arrange a standing order to another account, or ask your employer to pay your salary into the account. Your debit card arrives by post within five to seven working days. When it arrives, you'll need to set up it — the bank will send instructions by post or email, or you can set up it through the app or online banking.

Your first transaction may take longer than usual. When you make your first payment from a new account, some banks hold it for an extra day or two to verify it's genuine. This is normal and does not mean anything is wrong. After a few transactions, payments process at normal speed.

You can also set up online banking and mobile banking when ready. read the bank's app or visit their website, log in with your username and password, and you can check your balance, view transactions, and transfer money. Most banks offer two-factor authentication — a code sent to your phone — to keep your account find.

Documents you might be asked for but don't always need

Some banks ask for a reference from your employer or a previous bank. This is less common now, but if they ask, your employer's HR department or your previous bank can provide one. It usually takes a few days. You don't need a reference if you're opening a basic account or an online-only account.

If you're self-employed, some banks ask for a recent tax return or accountant's reference. If you don't have these yet, ask whether the bank will open an account based on your ID and proof of address alone — many will. You can always provide additional documents later if the bank asks.

If you've recently arrived in the UK and don't have a UK utility bill, bring a letter from your landlord or accommodation provider confirming your address. Some banks accept this instead of a bill. If you're in temporary accommodation, a letter from the local council or a hostel is usually acceptable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to open a bank account in the UK?

In a branch, 20 to 30 minutes. Online, one to three working days for approval. Your debit card arrives by post within five to seven working days after that. You can use your account number and sort code when ready, even before the card arrives.

Can I open a bank account without a National Insurance number?

Most banks require it, but some building societies and online-only banks will open an account without one if you provide other proof of identity. Call the bank first to ask. If you need a National Insurance number, contact HMRC — it takes several weeks, so plan ahead.

What if I don't have a UK address yet?

You'll need proof of address dated within the last three months. If you're moving to the UK and don't have a utility bill yet, bring a letter from your landlord, employer, or the local council confirming your address. Some banks accept this instead of a bill.

Do I need a debit card to use my bank account?

No. You can pay bills, receive wages, and transfer money using your account number and sort code before your debit card arrives. You can also use online banking or mobile banking to manage your account. The debit card is useful for withdrawing cash and shopping in person, but it's not required to use the account.

What's the difference between a current account and a savings account?

A current account is for everyday spending — you get a debit card, can set up direct debits, and may have an overdraft. A savings account earns interest on money you deposit but usually has no debit card and limits on how often you can withdraw. Most people open a current account first, then add a savings account later.