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The short answer
Usually you need something that links your name to a UK address, but it does not have to be a utility bill. App banks such as Monzo accept a current tenancy agreement, recent letters from HMRC, the DWP or the NHS, a council tax statement or another bank's statement. If you have no fixed address at all, the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 still treat you as legally resident for a basic bank account, which the nine largest providers must offer to eligible people.
Banks ask for proof of address because money laundering rules require them to know who their customers are and where they live. For a new arrival from Nigeria, or anyone who rents a room in a shared house where the bills are in the landlord's name, that rule can feel circular: you need an account to get bills, and bills to get an account. In practice there are several ways out of the loop.
Documents that often count
Each bank sets its own list. Monzo's help page, checked in October 2026, is a useful example of how wide it can be. It accepts documents in good standing such as:
- Gas, electricity, water, landline or broadband bills dated within the last 3 months (not reminders, arrears or debt collection letters)
- Official letters from the DWP, Jobcentre, NHS or HMRC dated within the last 3 months (not P45 or P60 forms)
- A council tax statement for the current year
- A current statement from another UK bank or building society, or a credit card, pension or investment statement within 3 months
- An active, valid UK tenancy agreement
- A valid UK driving licence, including a provisional, if it was not already used as photo ID
Monzo also says it might ask you to verify your address, which suggests it does not always do so. High-street banks may be stricter, and some will verify your address electronically using credit reference data instead of paper. A newcomer has little on file, which is why paper often ends up being needed.
Getting a document in your first weeks
| Route | What you get | How quickly |
|---|---|---|
| Ask your landlord for a written tenancy agreement | A signed agreement naming you at the address | As soon as you move in |
| Register with a GP | An NHS letter or registration confirmation, if your practice issues one | Varies by practice |
| Apply for a National Insurance number | A letter from DWP/HMRC confirming your number | GOV.UK says it can take up to 4 weeks |
| Ask your employer or university | A letter confirming your address on headed paper | Varies; not every bank accepts it |
| Register on the electoral roll if eligible | Address evidence on your credit file | Experian says it usually appears within 30 days |
Nigerian citizens are Commonwealth citizens and can register to vote in the UK if they have permission to stay; see electoral registration for Nigerians.
Why a document gets rejected
Most refusals at this stage are about the document, not the person. Using Monzo's published list as the example, a document is likely to be turned down if it is older than the window allowed (3 months for most bills, letters and statements), if it is a reminder, arrears or debt collection letter rather than a bill, if it is a P45 or P60, or if your driving licence has already been used as your photo ID. A name that does not match your passport exactly, such as a missing middle name, can also cause a mismatch. Check the date and the name before you upload anything.
If you have no fixed address
The Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 give a statutory route. Regulation 23 says consumers who are legally resident in the UK include people with no fixed address, asylum seekers and some people who cannot legally or practically be removed. Designated banks must offer a basic account to anyone who meets the eligibility rules (regulation 22). HM Treasury lists the nine designated providers as Barclays UK, the Co-operative Bank, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group (including Halifax and Bank of Scotland), Nationwide, NatWest Group (including Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank), Santander UK, TSB and Virgin Money. The bank still has to confirm who you are, and many have alternative arrangements, such as a letter from a hostel, charity or support worker. Ask in branch what they accept. Our page on basic bank accounts explains the rules in full.
Steps if you are stuck
- List every document you hold that shows your name and UK address, with its date.
- Check the accepted-documents page of two or three banks against that list before applying.
- If none fits, ask your landlord for a tenancy agreement or your employer for a letter.
- If you are refused a standard account, ask a designated bank for a basic account and ask for the refusal reason in writing.
- Once one account is open, use its statements as proof of address elsewhere.
For the wider picture of opening your first account, see opening a UK bank account on a work visa.
Where Pryme fits
Pryme is not a UK bank and not a substitute for a UK current account. What it can do for a Nigerian abroad is keep the Nigeria side of your money in one place: a Pryme Personal Account can be opened from any country and holds pounds, naira, dollars and euros with local details for each. See how it works.
Questions people ask
Can I use my tenancy agreement as proof of address for a bank?
Often, yes. Several banks, including Monzo, accept a current, signed UK tenancy agreement. Check each bank's list before applying.
What counts as proof of address for a UK bank account?
Typically a recent utility bill, council tax statement, official letter from HMRC, DWP or NHS, another bank's statement, a tenancy agreement or a UK driving licence. Lists and date limits vary by bank.
Can I get a bank account in the UK if I am homeless?
The Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 treat people with no fixed address as legally resident for a basic bank account. Ask a designated bank what alternative evidence it accepts.
Is a letter from my employer enough proof of address?
Some banks accept it, many do not. Ask before you rely on it, and pair it with a tenancy agreement if you can.
Sources
- Monzo Help: How to open a Monzo Personal Account · accessed Oct 2026
- legislation.gov.uk: Payment Accounts Regulations 2015, regulation 23 · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK / HM Treasury: Basic bank accounts collection (updated 5 Nov 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: Apply for a National Insurance number · accessed Oct 2026
- Experian: The electoral roll and your credit score · 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.