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The short answer
Sometimes. It depends on your UK bank: some let existing customers keep an account after moving abroad, others close accounts held by non-residents after a notice period, and almost none open new accounts for people living outside the UK. Tell the bank you have moved, ask in writing whether you can keep the account, and plan a GBP alternative in case it is closed.
A large share of Nigerians in Ireland lived in Britain first. A UK account remains useful after the move: UK salary or rent, a pension, family in London, or simply pounds for trips. But UK bank accounts are designed for UK residents, and moving abroad changes how a bank sees you.
What UK banks say
Wise's guide on keeping a UK account abroad (17 August 2026, sources checked 13 August) summarises the main banks' positions. It is a third-party summary, so confirm with your own bank:
| Bank | Position reported |
|---|---|
| Barclays | Closes accounts of customers living abroad, with exceptions such as Crown employees, people abroad for under six months who plan to return, and accounts run by someone at an address abroad such as a lawyer or attorney |
| Santander | Lets you keep certain existing accounts, but new applications are for UK residents only |
| HSBC | Lets you keep the account, but you must use it so it does not become dormant |
| Lloyds | May let you keep the account; check with the bank |
| NatWest | You might not be able to keep the account, as it is UK-focused |
Several banks offer separate international or expat accounts with high minimum balances. Wise reports, for example, a £5,000 balance to avoid Lloyds' monthly fee on its international account, and £100,000 for Barclays' international account.
Your address and the bank's rules
Banks need to know your residence, and the account terms usually require you to tell them when you move. Giving a friend's or relative's UK address to avoid closure is risky: it may breach the terms, it means your post goes to someone else, and it misstates your tax residence to the bank. If the bank closes the account, it normally writes to you with a deadline to move your money and cancel direct debits.
ISAs and savings
GOV.UK says that once you are no longer UK-resident you cannot pay into an ISA (unless you are a Crown employee overseas or their spouse), but you can keep it and its UK tax relief, and you can pay in again if you return. Tell the provider as soon as you stop being UK-resident.
Tax in Ireland
Revenue says people who are resident and domiciled in Ireland are chargeable on worldwide income, so interest earned on a UK account, and UK rent or salary paid into it, is normally declared in Ireland once you are Irish-resident. Ireland's residence test is 183 days in a tax year, or 280 days across two years. UK tax may also apply to some UK income, so keep statements for both. This is information, not tax advice.
Deposit protection
A UK account remains covered by the UK scheme, not the Irish one. HSBC UK's currency account page quotes FSCS cover of £120,000 per eligible person per bank. Ireland's Deposit Guarantee Scheme covers €100,000 per person per institution at Irish-licensed banks. The comparison with Nigeria is in deposit protection in Ireland vs NDIC.
Moving cash between Britain and Ireland
Revenue says the EU cash declaration rules apply to cash carried between Ireland and Great Britain, since 1 January 2021, but not between Ireland and Northern Ireland. So €10,000 or more in cash on a flight from London to Dublin is declared on arrival.
If the bank closes the account
Wise's summary says banks typically write to you once they know you live abroad, giving a deadline to move your money and cancel direct debits; Barclays' policy suggests the account can stay open for around six months after the decision. If you miss the deadline, the bank may send the remaining balance by cheque, which can be awkward to pay in from Ireland. So act on the letter early: move the balance, point incoming payments to your new GBP details and keep the closure letter with your records.
Steps after you move
- Tell the UK bank you have moved and ask in writing whether you can keep the account.
- Update your address, phone number and email so security codes still reach you.
- Use the account regularly if you keep it, so it does not become dormant.
- List every direct debit and incoming payment, in case you need to move them.
- Open a GBP alternative before the UK account closes, so UK payers have somewhere to send money; see receiving pounds in Ireland.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme personal account can be opened from Ireland and holds GBP with UK local details, plus EUR, USD and NGN. That gives UK payers a sort code and account number while you live in Ireland, with pounds held as pounds until you convert with Swap. Outside Nigeria, activities are carried out through regulated partners. See the multicurrency account.
Questions people ask
Will my UK bank close my account if I move to Ireland?
Some banks do and some do not. Barclays was reported to close accounts of customers abroad with exceptions; HSBC to let you keep the account if you use it. Ask your bank.
Can I open a new UK bank account while living in Ireland?
Rarely. Most UK banks only accept applications from UK residents, though international accounts with high minimum balances exist.
Can I keep paying into my ISA after moving to Ireland?
No. GOV.UK says you can keep the ISA but cannot pay in while non-resident.
Is interest on my UK account taxed in Ireland?
If you are Irish-resident and domiciled, Revenue says worldwide income is chargeable, which includes UK interest.
Sources
- Can you keep your UK bank account when moving abroad?, Wise blog (17 Aug 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- ISAs: if you move abroad, GOV.UK · accessed Oct 2026
- Tax residence, Revenue (24 Nov 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
- Resident for tax purposes, Revenue (24 Nov 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
- What is a currency account?, HSBC UK · accessed Oct 2026
- Travelling with, or sending, cash, Revenue (published 4 May 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.