Offshore savings accounts explained

Key takeaways

• Offshore accounts allow you to save in different currencies (e.g., euros or dollars) and manage your finances internationally

• Some require an investment of between £5,000 to £10,000, while others accept a minimum deposit of £1

• Unlike UK accounts, offshore accounts aren’t protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)

• Be sure to research political and tax situations before choosing an offshore location

What is an offshore savings account?

Offshore accounts are savings accounts located outside the account holder’s country of residence, in this case the UK.

They can be used to save euros and dollars (as well as other currencies), which can be handy if your salary is not paid in sterling. Most accounts can be opened by anyone over the age of 18, although some are only available to those living outside the UK.

Foreign bank accounts are offered by many high street banks, building societies and financial institutions as well as private banks.

Most of the offshore accounts available to UK savers are based in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, for example, (which have separate tax jurisdictions). They can be operated by post, phone or online.

How do I open an offshore account?

Opening an offshore account should be straightforward, providing you meet the minimum requirements set by the bank.

Once you’ve applied for an account, you’ll need to supply ID to prove your identity just like you’d need to with any other bank account. Depending on the type of account, you may need to take extra steps to verify your identity. 

There are a number of checks in place to prevent criminal activity. For example, offshore accounts can often be used by those who want to launder money, evade tax or engage in other illegal acts. You could be asked about the nature of the transactions in your account – or your UK bank could be asked for financial reference documents.

If your application is successful, you’ll be able to make your initial deposit and begin using the account.

How much money do I need to open an offshore bank account?

Offshore accounts aren’t only for the very wealthy. They’re often used by expats who need to manage their finances at home and abroad, for example.

While many offshore accounts will require an investment ranging from £5,000 to £10,000, there are some who only require a £1 minimum deposit.

Some providers will also require you to have a certain salary and have a set amount of money in your deposits or investments with them.

How much do offshore accounts cost?

Offshore accounts can come with a variety of charges and fees. Some of the most common charges have been listed below:

• Transfer fees

• Cheque clearance charges

• Withdrawal fees

• Monthly account fees  

• Charges for not keeping a minimum account balance

• Document translation charges

• International payments

• CHAPS fee (depending on the currency used) 

So, offshore accounts aren’t only for the very rich but it’s important to remember they can be expensive to open and maintain.

How much tax will I pay with an offshore savings account?

It used to be the case that standard savings accounts would pay interest only after tax had been deducted at the basic rate of 20%, while offshore savings accounts paid interest without deducting tax.

But now – as a result of the Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) that has changed and for the vast majority of UK savers there is no tax to pay on the interest earned in UK savings accounts.

Under the PSA rules, basic-rate taxpayers in the UK have no tax to pay on the first £1,000 of interest earned in UK savings accounts, and higher-rate taxpayers will have no tax to pay on the first £500. But it’s important to know that interest earned above these thresholds will still be taxable, so you can't use offshore accounts to avoid paying tax.

You are obliged to declare any savings interest earned to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on a self-assessment tax form and to pay tax on it. If you don’t, you could face fines – plus interest charges on your outstanding bill.

What else do you need to consider?

An offshore bank account could also have a monthly fee and other costs, such as charges for international transfers. These can mount up if you are moving money regularly.

Foreign bank accounts also aren’t protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which only covers money held with UK banks and building societies.

However, they might have their own compensation schemes set up in case the bank runs into financial difficulty. Check the terms before you open an account.

Finally, while offshore bank accounts can provide a tax-efficient way to save and invest, you will still need to declare any interest earned on foreign bank accounts in your country of residence.

Is my money safe in an offshore account?

Savers with money in a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authorised bank or building society in the UK are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers the first £120,000 held with each banking institution.

However, money held in an offshore savings account is not protected in the same way – even if a UK high street bank operates the offshore account you choose.

Before opening an account, you should therefore check with your provider to see whether your money will be protected by a different compensation scheme.

Banks licensed by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, for example, are covered by the Guernsey Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme, which protects the first £50,000 per person, per banking group. The Isle of Man's Depositors' Compensation Scheme, meanwhile, also protects up to £50,000 per individual saver. 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of an offshore account?

There are pros and cons to having an offshore savings account:

Advantages

• Allows you to bank in a foreign currency

• Usually has higher interest rates

• Can delay tax payment

• Reduce risk of currency fluctuations

• Possible tax efficient savings

• Increased privacy, for example, Switzerland is renowned for their confidential banking

Disadvantages

• Can be difficult to open

• Often have high fees e.g. £25 withdrawal fees

• You may need to pay double tax, depending on the country’s arrangement with Britain. You can find the full list of international tax treaties on the

  gov.uk

  website.

• Your money isn’t protected by FSCS – but could have other protection

• Increased due diligence, you may be unaware of the banking laws where your offshore account is based

What are the alternatives to an offshore account?

An alternative to having an offshore account is a multi-currency account. These accounts are sometimes called foreign currency accounts and they allow you to make and receive payments in foreign currencies.

Some British banks offer these accounts and therefore maybe FSCS protected which can provide you with greater peace of mind.

What are offshore tax havens, and should I be worried about them?

An offshore tax haven is a catch-all term to describe offshore accounts where individuals or companies keep money and pay less tax than they would in their country of residence.

While using a tax haven might not be classed as tax evasion, they are often viewed with cynicism because there can be less scrutiny on how the funds are managed, making them a target for money laundering, for example.

This doesn’t mean all offshore accounts should be avoided as they have many useful functions particularly if you are dealing with multiple currencies.

Added convenience, competitive exchange rates, higher interest rates and international banking experts on hand to help are among the benefits they offer.

Compare savings products with MoneySuperMarket

Although we don’t have any offshore savings accounts for you to compare right now, we still have a wide range of savings products for you to look at. 

Use our handy filters and browse our range of products including cash ISAs, fixed rate bonds and easy access accounts.

You can see our accounts ordered by interest rate, term, and minimum and maximum deposit. So, you can quickly and easily find the one that suits you best.