Do You Need a UK Bank Account to Buy UK Property as an Expat or Non-UK Resident?

Expat Property Investments Ltd
7 days ago
4 min read

So you’ve found the perfect UK buy-to-let property from your new home in Dubai, Switzerland, or Singapore. The ROI checks out, the location’s spot on… but then the admin questions hit: Do I need a UK bank account to make this happen?

The answer? Technically, no. But also… kind of yes, depending on what you’re planning to do next.

Let’s break it down.

Can I Buy UK Property Without a UK Bank Account?

Yes. You can legally buy property in the UK without having a UK bank account.

Some UK solicitors are well-versed in working with overseas clients and can accept international payments. The Land Registry doesn’t care whether your money came from a HSBC account in Hong Kong or an Emirates NBD account in Dubai, as long as it's clean and traceable.

In fact, there are many non-UK passport holders from places like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Canada, China, Australia and Qatar that complete purchases without a UK passport or bank account at all.

However… while legally you’re in the clear, practically it can create a few headaches.

Do You Need a UK Bank Account to Buy UK Property as an Expat or Non-UK Resident?

Why You Might Want a UK Bank Account Anyway

Once the property is yours, you’ll have ongoing financial flows to deal with such as rental income, mortgage payments and utility bills. Not having a UK account can make this part more cumbersome than it needs to be.

Here’s what gets easier with a UK account:

Receiving rent: Letting agents and tenants strongly prefer paying into a UK-based GBP account.

Paying mortgage and expenses: Lenders and utility companies expect UK direct debits.

Avoiding currency losses: Every international transfer comes with FX fees and conversion delays.

Mortgage approval: Some lenders, especially for personal name purchases, want a UK bank account for ease of payments and credit assessment.

💡 Buying through a UK limited company? Then a UK business bank account makes even more sense, and it’s usually easier to get.

Not sure if you should buy through a UK limited company? Check out our guide on this here.

Can Expats Open a UK Bank Account?

Here’s where things get interesting.

Most traditional high street banks (Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest) will only let you open an account if you have a UK address and can visit in person, not ideal if you’re 6,000 miles away.

But good news: there’s a workaround.

The Best UK Bank Account Alternatives for Expats

Here are a few options our clients use successfully:

1. Wise (formerly TransferWise)

You can open a UK GBP account with a local account number and sort code, without living in the UK. Great for receiving rent and making payments.

2. Revolut

Multi-currency accounts with local UK bank details, direct debits, and app-based access. Works well for expats who need flexibility.

3. UK Business Accounts (for Ltd Companies)

If you're buying through a limited company, online-first banks like Tide and Anna Money can set up your UK business account remotely.

What If I Use My Overseas Bank Account?

If you choose not to open a UK account, that’s okay but you should know:

You’ll likely pay higher FX fees.

Mortgage lenders may require extra checks.

Letting agents may hesitate to pay internationally.

HMRC paperwork becomes more admin-heavy.

Want us to handle all of these admin headaches for you, whilst finding you a profitable UK property? We do this for expats and non-UK residents around the world. Book a call with us here to hear more about how we can help.

What About Mortgages?

Some UK lenders are more relaxed than others when it comes to international borrowers. Others will want to see a UK account as part of the affordability process, especially for buy-to-let mortgages in your personal name.

We cover this in detail in our How to get a buy-to-let mortgage as an expat guide

If you want help choosing a lender that fits your profile, we can connect you with one of our trusted mortgage brokers. Just book a call and we’ll handle it for you.

What We Recommend

At Expat Property Investments, here’s what our clients do:

✅ If you can open a UK account, do it – even if it’s Wise or Revolut. It’ll smooth everything from rent collection to tax returns.

✅ If you’re buying through a UK Ltd company, open a UK business account — we can help set this up in days.

✅ If not possible, make sure you’re working with a letting agent, solicitor, mortgage broker, lender and accountant who understand expat logistics (spoiler: we know a few).

💬 Still unsure what’s best for you? Let us handle the whole process for you. Book a call with us to hear how we can help.