Guide

Oman – Banking

Oman’s banking sector is mature, well-regulated, and broadly welcoming to the country’s large expatriate community. Overseen by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO), the sector brings together sizeable domestic banks, dedicated Islamic finance institutions, and a selection of international branch

New Zealand – Banking

New Zealand’s banking sector is mature, reliable, and easy to navigate, with four dominant Australian-owned banks sitting alongside a handful of locally based institutions. For expats, getting set up with a bank account is typically a smooth process — several

Norway – Banking

Norway’s banking sector is thoroughly modern, almost entirely digital, and tightly supervised — qualities that make it a functional system for newcomers, albeit one that demands advance preparation. The overwhelming majority of payments take place without cash, a Norwegian identification

Netherlands – Banking

The Dutch banking landscape is mature, digitally advanced, and welcoming to newcomers from abroad. ING, ABN AMRO, and Rabobank collectively dominate the market, while digital challengers such as bunq offer swift account setup with flexible BSN requirements. Cashless and card-based

Morocco – Banking

Morocco’s banking sector is mature, well-supervised, and open to foreign nationals — but it has certain characteristics that set it apart from systems expats may be familiar with elsewhere. The Moroccan dirham operates under currency controls, and the accounts available

Monaco – Banking

Monaco’s banking sector revolves around private banking and wealth management rather than conventional retail services. As of 2025, the principality hosts roughly 25 active banks, nearly all of which operate as subsidiaries of prominent international groups. Minimum deposit thresholds are

Malta – Banking

Malta operates a well-regulated, euro-denominated banking sector overseen by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and the Central Bank of Malta, both functioning within EU regulatory frameworks. Roughly 20 banks are active across the islands, spanning large domestic institutions and

Mexico – Banking

Mexico’s banking sector is mature, internationally connected, and offers a broad range of institutions — both homegrown and foreign-owned. Expats can generally open accounts, although nearly all banks insist on an in-person visit and evidence of lawful residence. The country’s

Malaysia – Banking

Malaysia’s banking sector is mature, well-regulated, and financially stable, operating under the supervision of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the nation’s central bank. The country is home to both prominent domestic institutions and globally recognised international banks, providing extensive branch coverage,

Luxembourg – Banking

Luxembourg’s banking landscape is exceptionally welcoming to internationally mobile individuals, combining a strong EU regulatory framework with genuine accessibility for newcomers. More than 100 banks are licensed to operate in the country, yet only a select few serve everyday retail