International Banking & Currency
International Banking Guides
294 in-depth guides covering all aspects of international banking for expats and globally mobile investors — from offshore accounts and FX strategy to international mortgages and digital banking.
Offshore Bank Accounts
Opening and managing offshore bank accounts in Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Cyprus, Dubai, and Singapore.
Banking After Brexit: What Changed for British Expats in Europe
Brexit ended EU financial services passporting for UK banks and created genuine banking problems for British expats in Europe. Here is what changed, what the solutions are, and how to structure your banking in 2026.
Read guide →Banking Privacy in 2026: CRS, FATCA, and What Expats Need to Know
Automatic exchange of financial account information between tax authorities is now the global norm. There is no longer any such thing as a secret offshore account, and that is not a problem — as long as everything is properly declared.
Read guide →Banking Secrecy Laws: What Remains of Financial Privacy in 2026
Banking secrecy has been systematically dismantled over two decades — understand what protections still exist, what has been eliminated, and what this means for international clients.
Read guide →Banking Strategy for Non-Domiciliary Individuals Living in the UK
UK non-domiciliary individuals need a carefully structured banking arrangement to support legitimate tax planning while remaining fully compliant. Here is how the private banking and offshore banking ecosystem serves them.
Read guide →Banking for Brazil-Based Expats: CPF, Pix, IOF Tax, and the 2024 Offshore Income Reform
A comprehensive guide to banking in Brazil as an expat — covering the CPF tax ID, Brazilian banking regulations, major banks (Nubank, Itaú, Bradesco, Banco do Brasil), the Pix instant payment system, IOF tax on forex, and the impact of the 2024 offshore income reform on financial disclosures.
Read guide →Banking for British Expats in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Region
The Gulf's banking landscape varies significantly by country. From Saudi Arabia's Islamic finance requirements to the UAE's sophisticated financial centre, British expats need a tailored approach to banking across the region.
Read guide →Banking for Cyprus-Based Expats: Post-Bail-In Banking, Non-Dom Tax Status, and SEPA Access
A guide to banking in Cyprus for expats — covering the post-2013 bail-in context, Bank of Cyprus and Hellenic Bank, the RCB closure, non-dom tax residency and banking, IBAN/SEPA access within the EU, and property purchase banking requirements.
Read guide →Banking for France-Based Expats: Comptes Courants, Livret A, and Managing Cross-Border Finances
A comprehensive guide to French banking for expats — covering the compte courant, droit au compte right to a bank account, Livret A tax-free savings, IFI wealth tax implications, maintaining UK accounts from France, and leading French fintech options.
Read guide →Banking for French Nationals in the UK — and UK Nationals in France
The UK-France banking relationship has changed since Brexit, but day-to-day banking remains largely workable for those who know the rules. This guide covers the key issues for French nationals in the UK and UK nationals in France.
Read guide →Banking for Greece-Based Expats: Post-Capital-Controls Recovery, Major Banks, and Property Banking
A comprehensive guide to banking in Greece for expats — covering the history and legacy of capital controls, Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank, Eurobank and National Bank, the AMKA social security number, Greece's cash economy, and banking requirements for property purchases.
Read guide →Banking for Italy-Based Expats: Codice Fiscale, IVAFE, and the Italian Banking System
A practical guide to banking in Italy as an expat — covering the Codice Fiscale requirement, IVAFE tax on foreign accounts, major Italian banks, BancoPosta, and the interaction between Italy's flat-tax regime and banking disclosures.
Read guide →Banking for Japan-Based Expats: My Number, Japan Post Bank, and Navigating a Cash-First System
A practical guide to banking in Japan as an expat — covering the My Number card requirement, Japan Post Bank versus commercial banks (MUFG, SMBC), ATM fee culture, limited English banking, Wise and Revolut as workarounds, and international wire transfer documentation.
Read guide →Banking for Mexico-Based Expats: RFC Tax ID, SPEI Transfers, USD Accounts, and the Cash Economy
A practical guide to banking in Mexico as an expat — covering the RFC tax ID requirement, major banks (BBVA Mexico, Banamex, Banorte), SPEI instant transfers, CNBV regulations, USD-denominated accounts in border states, the cash economy, and Mexico's significant remittance market.
Read guide →Banking for Netherlands-Based Expats: BSN, 30% Ruling, Box 3 Wealth Tax, and Dutch Banking
A guide to banking in the Netherlands for expats — covering the BSN citizen service number, major banks (ING, Rabobank, ABN Amro), the 30% ruling tax benefit interaction with banking, DigiD digital identity, box 3 wealth tax on bank balances, and the Dutch mortgage landscape.
Read guide →Banking for Portugal-Based Expats: NIF, NHR, Golden Visa, and the Portuguese Banking System
A guide to banking in Portugal for expats — covering the NIF tax number, major banks (Millennium BCP, Novo Banco, Santander Portugal), the NHR regime's banking implications, MB Way payments, withholding on savings interest, and golden visa banking requirements.
Read guide →Banking for Second Citizenship and Residency-by-Investment Clients
How banking needs change when you acquire a second passport or residency-by-investment, and how to manage accounts, tax residency, and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
Read guide →Banking for South Africa-Based Expats: SARB Exchange Controls, Rand Volatility, and Offshore Allowances
A comprehensive guide to banking in South Africa as an expat — covering SARB exchange controls (R2m single discretionary allowance plus R10m foreign investment allowance), major banks (ABSA, FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank), rand volatility management, blocked rand accounts for non-residents, offshore allowances for UK expats, and Capitec digital banking.
Read guide →Banking for South Korea-Based Expats: ARC Card, Real-Name System, and Korean Banking
A guide to banking in South Korea for expats — covering the ARC registration card requirement, major banks (KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori, KEB Hana), the real-name verification system, internet banking security tokens, Korean FIDO standards, and banking access for D-10 startup visa holders.
Read guide →Banking for Spain-Based Expats: NIE, IBAN, and Managing Your Finances in Spain
A practical guide to opening and managing bank accounts in Spain as an expat — covering the NIE requirement, IBAN/SEPA transfers, major Spanish banks, Modelo 720 asset reporting, and mortgage access for non-residents.
Read guide →Banking for Thailand-Based Expats: Restrictions, FET Forms, and Managing Your Finances in Thailand
A practical guide to banking in Thailand as an expat — covering Thai bank account restrictions for non-residents, major banks (Kasikorn, Bangkok Bank, SCB), LTR visa holders' banking access, SWIFT transfers, FET forms for property purchases, and maintaining UK accounts from Thailand.
Read guide →Banking for UAE-Based Expats: No Income Tax, Salary Transfers, and the Emirates Banking Landscape
A comprehensive guide to banking in the UAE as an expat — covering the tax-free environment, major banks (Emirates NBD, ADCB, Mashreq), salary transfer requirements, building credit history from scratch, CBUAE regulations, and international money transfer compliance.
Read guide →Banking for UK Expats in Australia
Australia is one of the most popular destinations for British emigrants. The banking is accessible and the financial system is sound — but two issues deserve serious attention: the frozen UK State Pension and the interaction between superannuation and UK pension planning.
Read guide →Banking for UK Expats in Canada
Canada is one of the few countries where UK State Pension recipients continue to receive annual increases — a significant financial advantage for British retirees choosing their retirement destination. This guide covers Canadian banking, savings accounts, and the broader UK-Canada financial planning picture.
Read guide →Banking for UK Expats in Germany
Germany has one of Europe's most distinctive banking systems — a three-pillar structure of private banks, savings banks, and cooperative banks — and one of its most complex tax systems. For UK expats, the Anmeldung (registration) is the first step to unlocking both banking and public services.
Read guide →Speak to a banking specialist
Get independent guidance on offshore accounts, international transfers, FX strategy, and banking as an expat — from advisers who understand the practical realities.
Speak to our banking specialist
Our guides provide the framework — but every expat's banking situation is different. Speak to a specialist who understands the practical realities of offshore accounts, international transfers, and banking as a non-resident.