Guide

Trinidad and Tobago – Banking

Trinidad and Tobago boasts one of the Caribbean’s most advanced banking sectors, with eight licensed commercial banks providing a comprehensive suite of personal, business, and digital financial services. Expats are able to open bank accounts in the country, although doing

Turkey – Banking

Turkey’s banking sector is sophisticated, well-regulated, and open to foreign nationals. The industry is supervised by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) and encompasses state-owned, private, and internationally affiliated institutions. In most cases, expatriates can open accounts using a

Thailand – Banking

Thailand’s banking sector is mature and well-structured, with several prominent commercial banks providing extensive branch coverage, capable mobile platforms, and services suited to foreign residents settling in the country for the long term. While opening an account as an expat

Taiwan – Banking

Taiwan’s banking sector is mature, competitive, and well-regulated, with scores of domestic and foreign institutions serving customers across the island. For foreign residents, the system is broadly accessible once you have obtained an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), though visiting a

Switzerland – Banking

Among the world’s most reliable and sophisticated financial systems, Switzerland’s banking sector is overseen by FINMA and backed by depositor protection of up to CHF 100,000 per person per institution (as of 2025). Foreign nationals residing in Switzerland are generally

Spain – Banking

Spain’s banking sector is mature, thoroughly regulated, and open to both residents and those living abroad. The country’s leading banks provide accounts tailored to the needs of international clients and expatriates, and Spain’s digital financial infrastructure ranks among Europe’s most

Sweden – Banking

Sweden’s banking sector is mature, highly digitised, and built around four dominant institutions — Handelsbanken, SEB, Swedbank, and Nordea — complemented by a variety of smaller and foreign banks. The country is exceptional in its near-total abandonment of cash, with

South Africa – Banking

South Africa’s banking sector is mature and well-structured, built around five major commercial banks that together cover an extensive network of branches, ATMs, and digital services. For expats, opening an account is a reasonably straightforward process once you have arrived

South Korea – Banking

South Korea’s banking sector is sophisticated, well-regulated, and broadly welcoming to foreign residents. The country’s four dominant banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, KEB Hana, and Woori — all provide English-language services and products tailored to expatriate needs. Opening an account

Slovakia – Banking

Slovakia’s banking sector is well-established and stable, with a small number of large institutions — most of them local arms of major European financial groups — accounting for the bulk of the market. The country is part of the eurozone,