Moving your current account abroad

If you’re moving abroad to a country in the EUFallback Text or EEAFallback Textor just want to move your banking there, we can help by:

Giving you a list of all the regular payments in, and out of your account – such as your salary, direct debits and standing orders.
Sending any money left in your account to your new bank account with an EU/EEA bank.
Closing your Nationwide current account.

You can do all these things online, in our Internet Bank. Or you can come into branch and we’ll do them for you.

Keeping your UK current account

You don’t have to close your account with us when you move abroad but monthly fees and any charges will still apply while the account is open. Also, benefits like insurance won’t apply if you live outside the UK.

More about keeping your account

You need to be registered for the Internet Bank to get your payments list, move money and close your account online. If you’re already registered, log in to get started.

1. Getting your payments list - select to show or hide related content.

When you view your account transactions in the Internet Bank, you can use the filters to select date ranges and the types of payments you want to see.

What to do, step-by-step

1. Select your current account within the View accounts tab

2. Select the dates you want to include for your list. In branch, we'd give you a list for the last 13 months.

3. Use the filter to narrow down your list. Tick Direct Debits and Regular payments (this includes your Standing Orders) under All money paid out. Then hit search to filter your list.

If you want to include your salary in the list, tick Bank credits. This will include all payments credited to your account from another bank account, but your salary will be in there too.

4. There's an option to print your list at the top of the screen.

2. Moving your money - select to show or hide related content.

Your options

You can transfer any money you have left in your account to another account in the UK, to your account abroad or you can choose to have it sent to you as a cheque (in pounds sterling). If you want to send your money to your account abroad you’ll need to use either SWIFT or SEPA.

SWIFT

Send payments in pounds or any currency (except Euros to a SEPA country).
Free from a FlexOne or FlexStudent account or £20 from our other accounts. With a FlexBasic account it’s free to send pounds sterling to an EU/EEA country.
Usually takes 1 working day to countries in the EU/EEA.
We’ll apply our standard outbound exchange rate for any currency other than pounds. We'll tell you what that is before we send the transfer. If you send your money in pounds, then the receiving bank will apply their exchange rate for the local currency.

How to make a SWIFT payment

SEPA

Send Euros to SEPA countries only.
Costs £9 from all of our accounts, except FlexOne and FlexStudent which are free.
Usually takes 1 working day/.
Our standard outbound exchange rate will apply. We’ll tell you what that is before we send the transfer.

How to make a SEPA payment

If you’d rather have a cheque sent to you, you can choose this as an option at the start of the account closure form. Be sure to check that we have your up-to-date address and contact information first.

3. Closing your account - select to show or hide related content.

Before you close your account

Is there any money owed on your account?
If you have an overdraft or there are any outstanding charges on your account, these will need to be paid back before we can close your account.

Do we have your updated address and phone number?
We might need to send you a final statement when your account is closed or contact you if there’s been a problem. It’s especially important if you want your remaining balance sent to you by cheque. You can change your details in the Internet Bank – go to Manage, and then My details.

Do you have an e-Savings or e-Savings Plus account?
Any money you have in a linked savings account needs to be transferred out before you close your current account. You won’t be able to access your e-Savings account once your linked current account is closed.

How to close your account in the Internet Bank

To close your account online, go to Manage, then My accounts and select Close an account. From there, simply follow the on-screen instructions.

If you’re moving abroad to a country in the EUFallback Textor EEAFallback Text, we can do these things for you in branch.

Before you come to branch:

Your bank account in an EU or EEA country must already be open and in the same name as your Nationwide account. If it’s a joint account and so is your Nationwide account then both names need to match on both accounts. Unfortunately, we can't transfer a joint Nationwide account to a sole account abroad as part of this process. You'd need to remove your joint account holder first.
Make sure any linked savings accounts are closed. You can do this in the Internet Bank by going to Manage, then My accounts and selecting Close an Account.
Your account needs to be in credit with no pending transactions or cheques to clear soon.

Bring this with you:

Photo ID such as a driving licence or passport.
Proof of your EU/EEA account such as a statement (dated within the last 3 months) or account opening confirmation letter.
Your debit card for your EU/EEA account (we only need this if your statement or letter doesn't include the IBAN for your EU/EEA account).
Your debit card, card reader and chequebook for your Nationwide account (if you have them).
If your Nationwide account is a joint account, only one of you needs to come into branch. You can only transfer your money to an EU/EEA joint account in the same names, but please make sure you both agree before you come into branch.

What we’ll do:

We’ll check your contact details are up to date.
Ask you to sign a form, agreeing to the transfer process.
Give you a list of regular payments into and out of your account over the last 13 months.
Send your money to your new EU/EEA account and let you know if any charges apply.
Close your account the next working day.

Find your nearest branch

Did you find this page helpful?

Yes, thanks! Not really

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

We're sorry to hear that. If you have time, we'd really appreciate your feedback on how we could make it better. The information you give us here will only be used to improve our site. To find out more, please read our privacy policy.

Thanks for your time - it's really appreciated. We read every comment but unfortunately, we won't be able to respond to you directly. If you'd like help from a member of our support team, please contact us.

Loading...

Send feedback

Page suggestions

Recently visited suggestions

Living and working abroad

What is the EU?

What is the EEA?