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What are some recommended UK banks for expats living in Thailand to avoid issues like those faced with Santander?

Thailand Expat Banking UK Banks Marriage Visa Santander Revolut Nationwide Wise Starling Bank Credit Cards

Apr 21, 2025

7 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all.. i need a little help from ex pats from uk.

Im currently in the uk , travelling on 9th may to basically spend most of my time in thailand on a marriage visa, my marriage visa just expired, so i have to re apply, no problem there.

The issue i have is my bank, santander, theyve gave me a nightmare whilst in thailand the last year. Theyre telling me i have to report to them every 90 days, they actually froze my account last year and i dont want the same hassle i had again. 

So im asking if anyone can recommend a bank in the uk i can use, fully closing my santander accounts. 

Thank you. Ray

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An expat currently in the UK plans to move to Thailand on a marriage visa and is experiencing issues with Santander, which requires reporting every 90 days. The user seeks recommendations for UK banks that are more accommodating for expats living abroad. Comments suggest several banks including Revolut, Nationwide, and Wise, which have received positive feedback for avoiding hassles and freezing accounts. Users also mention the importance of maintaining a UK address for smoother transactions.

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Sandy **********

I bank with virgin money and transfer through wise and have n o problems

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Sylvia ********

I've had to close my HSBC account as living aboard so they opened an offshore account for me.

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Belinda ******

Get a Revolut account, great for abroad, you get a better rate converting sterling into baht. If you want to draw cash out, use the Krugsi atm’s I draw 30,000 baht out at a time, in Thailand the banks charge 220 baht to withdraw cash.

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Martin *********

I wouldn’t recommend “a” bank, I would have several different bank accounts and at least one travel credit card which doesn’t charge a fee for foreign transactions.

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Peter *********

HSBC or NatWest

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Neil *********

Hi Ray. Use monzo its a full UK bank and has been for many years and is also a complete digital bank.

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Pete ********

Use Monzo …. Thank me later

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Terence ********

I need some advice on thai marriage visa I have been married for 7 years I support my wife pay rent everything she needs will that help my visa marriage application I'm Australian pensioner

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Steven ******

I've never had any hassle from HSBC if you want a bank you can actually go to but i find revolut to be best if you would be okay with an online account.

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Malcolm *******

I'm heading back in May Santander is going to history I've heard so much and experienced their stupidity all down to them over doing the release of my funds I luckily have an on line bank so I was able to transfer funds via them

Santander stops you moving or withdrawing your own money

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Bhavin **********

Barclays/ Hsbc . I Keep two just in case . For eg. I had a online fraud , the bank blocked the card and issued a new debit card (sent to my uk address whilst I was in Thailand ), I could transfer funds to my other UK bank and use the other debit card. Also use Royal Mail redirection service if you expecting lots of letters. In. Barclays/hsbc you can Freeze /unfreeze debit card temporary from the mobile app to prevent any fraud . They have online chat features so you don’t spend a fortune calling UK if any issue arises.

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Andi ***********

I have a Santander International account, very good service compared to their regular high street bank. No issues with card usage in Thailand or anywhere else.

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Ann-Louise ********

Banking ….

I’m currently in Thailand, I’m using my Spainish Santander account, been here 3 months , here for a total of 5. My account’s only problem is at times, I can’t get into it on the app, I’ve got to clear cache, turn phone off/on , use mobile data, but other than that , they haven’t blocked or stopped me using it. I also have my UK HSBC as back up which works really well.

I also have some is ‘Wise ‘for emergencies.

Our visa , we are with Bangkok bank.

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Laura ********

Lived overseas for 10 years )not Thailand) banked with First Direct.. no problem at all. They used my local address in country and gave me a number to quote in place of a post code.. No issues at all., worked really well.

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Andy ************

What do you have to report every 90 days to Santander. I have Santander current account plus savings account. About a year ago I had to confirm my address. That's all

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Christopher ***********

@Andy ***********

You have to renew your notification of being abroad every 90 days. Can’t do this any further in advance. I do it via Santander website.

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Andy ************

@Christopher **********

I've never done it, but as far as Santander is concerned I live in the UK. I don't want to lose my pension increases!

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Christopher ***********

@Andy ***********

Santander say you need to notify if travelling outside the EU. Halifax have removed their travelling abroad notification for both EU and elsewhere.

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Andy ************

@Christopher **********

No such condition on my Santander account.

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Christopher ***********

@Andy ***********

********************************************************************

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Andy ************

@Christopher **********

That's if you intend using your card abroad. I never do

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Andy ************

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Robert ********

Open a Wide account here

*************************

Multicurrency account.

Exchange rate of interbank rates (way better than any old fashioned bank).

Debit card without fees in all countries.

I’m using it for over a decade to stash my money until the exchange rate is good (like now).

I send only what I really need and pay everything else with the card (gas, BigC, 711, you name it).

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Randy ******

BANK OF AMERICA!

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Tony *********

Starling Bank and Kroo... open before you leave and declare that you are in the UK.

I find the online app type accounts the best to use. If you are going to use Wise make sure you set everything up before you leave and transfer money between the accounts...also don't forget most of the time you need OTP codes sent to a UK mobile number. I use an excellent online account and app that gives me a UK number for peanuts 👌🏼

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Craig *********

Hi Tony would you mind me asking which app you use for your UK number ?

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Tony *********

@Craig ********

- no problem I use Vyke... it's very cheap and works perfectly.

*********************

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Christopher ***********

Can confirm. I’m from U.K. Have subscribed to Vyke for over 4 years. Works perfectly!

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Tony *********

@Christopher **********

- agree no problems and sound quality excellent 👌🏼

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Craig *********

really appriciate it thanks, I was looking at Expatfone, but will look at this now thank you.

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Craig *********

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Peter **********

The key is to have a Uk address attached to any account . All banks get nervous with overseas addresses

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Ray **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Peter *********

i have my uk address and uk number too buddy

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Ray **********

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Carlo ********

Revolut is Absolutly the best for us that we are in Thailand

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Phill *********

Nationwide flex plus account no fee for drawing money out abroad 🤑🤑🥳🥳

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Ray **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Phill ********

yeah im gonna go into newcastle this week and talk with them..thanks buddy

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Ray **********

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Kenny **********

I opens my nationwide account when I was in uk but when I came to live in Thailand I just changed the address no problems. I get all mail from nationwide sent direct here in Thailand

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Dave **********

@Kenny *********

nationwide are shite. I banked with them over 20 years, over £2500 paid in each month. I was made redundant and I asked for 1 months grace with O/D before new job salary was paid. Didn't want to know.

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Dave **********

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Ranjit *******

revolut

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Sally *******

Open a few accounts..

Wise, Starling both good for me so far.

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Brian *****

I use Nationwide, Smile, Revolut, YB(Virgin), Monza all without hassle.

Never used Santander but over the years any of my pals who have had problems with banking it’s always been Santander giving them hassle.

Revolut in particular is useful because you can setup a Thai baht account inside the app and use your card normally in Thailand. I swap GBP for THB in the app then use it for buying fuel & groceries etc. here in Thailand.

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Ray **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

i have a WISE account buddy, i just cannot risk santander freezing my account, after more than 40 years banking with them and they do this to me, i feel its time to close all my accounts with them

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Robert ********

Then why do you keep Santander? Drop it and use wise only.

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Brian *****

I use Wise also but prefer Revolut, I don’t even bother having a Wise card these days, I only really use it for sending small amounts around.

Best thing you could do imo would be open up a couple of additional accounts with whoever you choose and then move your money out of Santander asap. I wouldn’t bother closing the Santander, leave it empty and let them close it if they feel the need.

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Brian *****

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Lynnette *******

Lloyds regularly freeze my card even when using it to pay bills. When overseas I find nationwide best. Plus no shareholders either. They reward longstanding customers too.

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Ray **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lynnette ******

thank you

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Ray **********

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Chantelle ******

Get a revolut account. Transfer when you need to from santander, will just be a normal uk to uk account they wont know you where you are

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Graham ******

I always notify Santander online before I travel and have never had any issues with my debit and credit cards

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Simon *******

if you are living in another country you will find they can be a pain

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Ray **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

if im just going on a holiday theyre fine, but if im gonna be in thailand most of my time they will freeze my account, i cant take that risk

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Ray **********

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Stuart ***********

I found Santander to be the worst of my accounts when I came to Thailand, they froze my card very quickly. Luckily I most of my money was in other accounts.

As Lynnette stated (and other people have said it to me previously) Nationwide seem to be the most lenient, so maybe try them.

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Christopher ***********

@Stuart **********

Santander suspended my online access. When I phoned they told me they had written to me (UK) but received no reply. They wanted to know my intended future use for my current and savings account which had been inactive for some time. I explained that I was using Chase due to their interest rates and cash back but, if Santander once again became competitive, I would use my accounts again. They were happy with this and restored my online access.

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Ray **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart **********

thank youbuddy

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Stuart ***********

you are welcome, it's really stressful, so good luck.

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Ray **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart **********

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Ray **********

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Lynnette *******

I use nationwide with a UK address. They give option of text or email for verification on payments etc, whereas my Lloyds only use text, and I don't use my UK phone in Thailand.

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Sylvia ********

@Lynnette ******

I understand the UK address needs proof, like an utility bill in your name? I don't have property in UK so that wasn't an option

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Lynnette *******

@Sylvia *******

so you don't have any UK address at all or pay any bill in UK ? No current bank or statements?

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Lynnette *******

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Steve *******

@Lynnette ******

nationwide will allow a Thai address and one Thai, linked account to your UK Nationwide account for transfers..I've checked with them

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David *********

@Lynnette ******

they only will cover for holidays for up to max 3 months now need pay extra fee for this

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Lynnette *******

@David ********

I've never used them for insurance because I've pre-existing health issues. So do mine separately.

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Lynnette *******

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Phill *********

@Lynnette ******

nationwide flex plus account pay £18 pounds a month for that you get holiday insurance, breakdown cover and phone insurance for you and family members 👍👍

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Christopher ***********

@Phill ********

Good info! Thanks Phill.

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Christopher ***********

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Ray **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lynnette ******

thank you

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Ray **********

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Will ************

Have you got a registered address in the UK where you pay council tax , electric and gas from

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Ray **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Will ***********

i have my uk address and uk phone number buddy

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Christopher ***********

Same here Ray. Last year whilst in U.K. I opened accounts with; Zopa, Monzo, Kroo and Starling. Previously, I had opened a current account with Chase. Their requirements are that you must reside in UK. Therefore, I haven’t changed the account address from UK. Whether any of those would send a renewed/replacement card to Thailand if you told them you were here ‘on holiday’ I don’t know. Halifax definitely won’t, Santander said they would but it’s some time since I last contacted their customer services.

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Christopher ***********

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