The hardest part of opening a UK bank account as a newcomer is that you have no UK credit history and often no proof of a UK address yet. The good news is that two routes are built for exactly this situation: digital app banks, which run soft checks and set up in minutes, and basic bank accounts, which the biggest banks must offer with no credit check at all. This guide compares your options. It is general information, not financial advice, and account terms change, so confirm the current details with the provider.
The two routes that work for newcomers
You do not need a perfect credit file to bank in the UK. You need to pick the right type of account. Standard current accounts run a hard credit check that a newcomer will usually fail, but the two routes below are designed around people with no UK history.
| Account type | Credit check | UK proof of address usually needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital app banks (Monzo, Starling, Chase) | Soft or none | Sometimes waived | Fast setup, salary and everyday spending |
| Money apps (Revolut, Wise) | None or soft | Often not required to start | Arriving early, international transfers |
| Basic bank accounts (Barclays, HSBC, Santander, Co-operative and others) | No hard credit check | Yes, usually required | No or poor credit history, receiving a salary and paying bills |
| Standard current accounts | Hard credit check | Yes | Later, once you have built UK credit history |
Digital app banks
App-based banks such as Monzo, Starling and Chase are often the quickest win for a newcomer. You apply through the app, verify your identity with your passport and a short video or selfie, and can be up and running in well under an hour. They typically run only a soft credit check, which is not visible to other lenders, and some are flexible about proof of address. These are fully licensed UK banks, so eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per person.
Money apps: Revolut and Wise
Revolut and Wise are popular with people who want to move money across borders and start before they have a UK address. Revolut gained a full UK banking licence in 2026, which brings FSCS protection for its banking customers. Wise is an e-money service rather than a bank, so your money is safeguarded rather than FSCS-protected. Both are excellent for holding and converting multiple currencies, which helps in your first weeks, but check whether the specific account you open is a bank account or an e-money wallet.
Basic bank accounts
A basic bank account is a no-frills account with no arranged overdraft, designed for people who cannot open a standard account, including those with no or poor credit history. By law, the UK’s nine largest banks must offer one. They come with a contactless debit card, online and mobile banking, and the ability to receive a salary and pay bills by direct debit. Crucially, opening one does not involve a hard credit check, so being new to the UK is not a barrier. The Co-operative Bank, for example, offers a basic account with no credit check for first-time account holders.
What you need to apply
- Proof of identity: a passport, national identity card, or UK driving licence.
- Proof of address: a tenancy agreement, utility bill or council tax bill. Digital banks sometimes accept alternatives or waive this to start.
- Your immigration status: some accounts ask for your visa or share code, though a basic account is open regardless of a thin credit file.
If you have no UK address document yet, start with a digital app bank or money app, then upgrade to a full account once your first bills arrive. Our UK money and banking guide for newcomers explains how to build a UK credit history from scratch.
How to choose
If you want a UK account today with the least paperwork, open a digital app bank. If you are managing money in more than one currency while you settle, add a money app. If you have been refused a standard account or want the simplest possible bank account tied to a big high-street name, ask for a basic bank account. Many newcomers use a combination and switch to a standard account after six to twelve months of UK bills.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a UK bank account with no credit history?
Yes. Digital app banks run only soft checks, and basic bank accounts from the major banks involve no hard credit check at all, so a lack of UK credit history is not a barrier.
Which bank is easiest for a newcomer to open?
Digital app banks like Monzo, Starling and Chase are usually the fastest, often set up in the app within an hour using just your passport and a selfie.
Do I need a UK address to open an account?
For a basic or standard bank account you usually need proof of a UK address. Some digital banks and money apps let you start without one, which is useful in your first days.
Is my money safe in a digital bank?
If the provider is a licensed UK bank, eligible deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000 per person. E-money services like Wise are safeguarded instead, which is a different form of protection, so check which type your account is.
What is a basic bank account?
It is a simple account with no overdraft, aimed at people who cannot open a standard account. The UK’s nine biggest banks are legally required to offer one, and there is no hard credit check.
Opening an account is one of the first tasks when you arrive. See our money and banking guide for the full picture, and our first 30 days settling-in guide for everything else on the list.
