Personal Offshore Account in any EU bank - Basic Payment Account

[Artemis Eleutheria]

In theory, the Politicians have realized that they are leaving a lot of people unable to open bank accounts due to increased paperwork they are forcing upon the banksters ... thus to solve the problem they have introduced the Basic Payment Account which all retail banks must offer to homeless people, such as perpetual travellers, that should be opened ONLY with one piece of (European) ID ... no proof of address required (as many homeless people can attest to that getting a utility bill can be difficult).

It seems you are limited to only having one such bank account per EU country.

Given that you will not provide any home address .... no CRS reporting seem likely to be done ... except MAYBE to the country of your ID presented.

EUR-Lex - 32014L0092 - EN - EUR-Lex

eur-lex.europa.eu

That is the theory ... has any homeless people here tried this out in practice?

 

[Martin Everson]

Nationwide bank in UK and a few other similar kind of accounts I have seen. However never saw them asking for just 1 piece of ID unless they can verify your address via online methods but I maybe wrong.

(as many homeless people can attest to that getting a utility bill can be difficult).

lol.....very underrated statement

 

[daxbr]

Nationwide bank in UK and a few other similar kind of accounts I have seen. However never saw them asking for just 1 piece of ID unless they can verify your address via online methods but I maybe wrong.



lol.....very underrated statement

Not sure about homeless but Ukrainians workers open accounts online at sparkasse, then courier brings documents to be signed, verifies labor hotel address, passport details, collects signature and takes it all back to bank.

 

[Artemis Eleutheria]

Not sure about homeless but Ukrainians workers open accounts online at sparkasse, then courier brings documents to be signed, verifies labor hotel address, passport details, collects signature and takes it all back to bank.

That would not be possible with homeless people, such as some of those frequenting this forum. I think homeless people need to physically go to the bank .... however luckily it seems the socialists, in their compassion for us poor homeless bums, has ensured that we shall be issued a debit card and internet banking ... all at socialist pricing ... ie free or almost free.

I think you have to go and pick it up in person when it is ready though .... after all you don't have any address to which they could send the card when it is ready.

Unfortunately it does not seem that this scheme extends to Switzerland .... but Luxembourg is in.

Right of access to banking services: Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF)

 

[Artemis Eleutheria]

So is Austria ... previously renowned for their banking confidentiality ... which continues for locals ... maybe including homeless people

The Basic Payment Account - FMA Österreich

The basic payment account – the right to have a bank account Since 18.09.2016 every consumer has had the right ...

www.fma.gv.at

In the UK, I see Barclays offer one: Basic Bank Account | Barclays

Wonder if I should check with Coutts?

 

[daxbr]

I bet KYC regime won't be applied to those accounts and no periodic reviews. Still cannot help to wonder how they react if one shows up 3 months after opening and attempt to change tax residence to Luque.

 

[Artemis Eleutheria]

Now you got me interested in Luque. Where would that be?

 

[Artemis Eleutheria]

Tried the approach in Luxembourg unsuccesfully. It seems it is restricted to homeless bums with EU passports ... and preferably a fixed address.

 

[Marie Manila]

Opening a Basic Account in Luxembourg is easily possible, but limited to some banks only by law.
The banks, which have to open an account are mentioned on the CSSF website: Right of access to banking services: Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF)

You do not have to be homeless. You just have to prove you do not have another current account for daily banking in Luxembourg.
And - more important - you have to reside in the European Union (or EEA?). Homeless or with home.

 

[John Andrews]

So what's the best bank in Luxembourg for opening a basic account?

 

[Marie Manila]

I think there is no "best bank".
Just choose one close to you, check the fee tables, step in and open the basic account.

Be careful that they provide you the correct form for opening the basic account!
Usually the forms are in French.

These days I would not recommend the BNP Paribas. They had to pay a fine of 9 billion Dollars a few years ago.

 

[Artemis Eleutheria]

Opening a Basic Account in Luxembourg is easily possible, but limited to some banks only by law.
The banks, which have to open an account are mentioned on the CSSF website: Right of access to banking services: Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF)

You do not have to be homeless. You just have to prove you do not have another current account for daily banking in Luxembourg.
And - more important - you have to reside in the European Union (or EEA?). Homeless or with home.

PTs are homeless by choice and as such cannot provide proof of address ... which the LUX bank require in order to open an account for an homeless person.

It is not at all as easy as you think. I tried, and failed ... at one of the banks on your list.

 

[Spinat]

Homeless and Luxembourg does not sound like a cocktail that would be drinkable. You need money and you need a business to get setup there.

 

[Artemis Eleutheria]

Basic Payment Accounts are personal accounts ... business accounts are offtopic in this thread.

 

[Marie Manila]

It is not at all as easy as you think. I tried, and failed ... at one of the banks on your list.

Some firends and me opened basic accounts in Luxembourg at different banks (from this list).
It was quite easy, at least for us.

 

[Artemis Eleutheria]

Some firends and me opened basic accounts in Luxembourg at different banks (from this list).
It was quite easy, at least for us.

What paperwork was required?

 

[Marie Manila]

Filling out the form in the local branch. Answering some questions like purpose of the account and source of funds.
Additionally they wanted to have a recent payslip or work contract, the TIN and some prove of address.

We did not register as homeless person.

 

[Artemis Eleutheria]

So basically you have ensured that they will report you to your taxman ... just out of curiosity what is the advantage of banking in Luxembourg then?

 

[Marie Manila]

Yes, I do not want to hide the money. It can be reported.
I saw the problems in Cyprus and also in Greece when the banks were failing. People were not able to withdraw money any more.
If I divide my money to different countries, I will have a higher chance to withdraw most of it. Only a small part may get blocked for some time.

And also it is not that easy to take a look at my account for people around me. I don't want to have some nosy officers spying at my account for curiosity.
If the account is abroad, they have to ask for some help from this country. It is more than one keystroke then.

 

[Artemis Eleutheria]

Ah ... yes those are good and valid reasons for wanting to open accounts in several places ...and Luxembourg have some banks that are unlikely to be the first to fold in the next upcoming crisis.