banking

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 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

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

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,

Saudi Arabia – Banking

Saudi Arabia’s banking sector is modern and tightly regulated, operating under the supervision of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Around 30 licensed retail banks serve the market — a mix of prominent domestic institutions and a growing cohort of internationally

Singapore – Banking

Among Asia’s financial centres, Singapore stands out for the sophistication and accessibility of its banking landscape. Overseen by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the sector gives expatriates a wide selection of domestic and international institutions, cutting-edge digital services, multi-currency

Romania – Banking

Romania’s banking sector is well-established, EU-regulated, and home to both domestic institutions and subsidiaries of major European banking groups. For expats, setting up a bank account is generally manageable once you have obtained a residence permit and your Romanian personal

Russia – Banking

For expats, navigating banking in Russia is possible but involves considerable practical hurdles, especially in the wake of international sanctions introduced in 2022. The sector is led by a handful of large state-controlled institutions, digital financial services are sophisticated, and

Qatar – Banking

Qatar’s banking sector is mature, tightly regulated, and well-suited to the needs of foreign residents. Because the country’s workforce is predominantly made up of non-nationals, local financial institutions have developed considerable expertise in onboarding expat customers. Conventional and Islamic banking