How to open a Wise account in the UK: Step-by-step guide

Like the idea of managing your money internationally, with a powerful multi-currency account? Then you might be interested in opening a Wise account.

In this handy guide, we’ll walk you through how to open a Wise account in the UK, step-by-step. The good news is that it’s pretty easy, from verifying your identity through to opening your first currency amount within your account.

We’ll also explain some of Wise’s best features, so you’ll know what you can do with your account once it’s up and running.

How to open a Wise Account online: step by step

Before you get started opening your Wise account, it’s worth taking a moment to check your eligibility. You’ll just need to be:

• At least 18 years old
• A UK resident (if applying for a Wise UK account).

It should only take a few minutes to complete the online registration process.

Here’s how to get started in just a few steps:

1. Register at Wise.com or via the Wise app

You can create a Wise account online at Wise.com or download the Wise app. It’s available for both Android and iOS devices.
Just hit the ‘Register’ button and enter your email address. If you prefer, you can sign up with your Google, Facebook or Apple account.

2. Verify your email address

If you sign up using your email address, you’ll be prompted to go check your inbox for an email from Wise. Click the link in the email and you’ll be taken back to Wise to complete the registration process.

3. Choose your account type and country

You’ll have a choice between ‘Personal’ and ‘Business’ accounts, and then you’ll be prompted to enter the country you live in. Select ‘United Kingdom’ from the drop-down list if applying for a Wise account in the UK.

4. Enter and verify your phone number

Type in your phone number when prompted. And to make sure your account is fully secure, you’ll receive a text from Wise with a security code. Enter it when prompted.

5. Create a secure password

This will safeguard your account, so make sure it’s a strong password that’s not easy to guess.

6. Verify your identity

The last step is to verify your identity with a few quick checks, which we’ll cover in more detail next. You’ll just need to make sure you have the following ready:

• Your phone
• Photo ID such as your passport or driving licence
• Proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or council tax statement.

You might also want to take a look at our handy tips for getting started with Wise.

How verifying your account works

Verifying your account is an important step, as it means that your identity has been checked and you are who you say you are. You know this of course, but it should also give you peace of mind that everyone else using Wise has also been verified too.

This reduces the risk of scams and fraud, as well as ensuring Wise meets the UK’s strict rules and regulations for electronic money companies.

Getting verified also unlocks all your account’s features.

It’s a simple process to complete. Once you’ve registered for an account, you’ll be prompted to upload photos of your photo ID and proof of address, and then a selfie photo to be checked against your ID.

And that’s it! Once approved, you’ll have a fully functional Wise account.

How to open a currency account in the Wise Account

With your account open, you’ll want to create your first currency account.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Sign into your account online or in the Wise app
2. On the ‘home’ screen, select ‘Add a currency’ or scroll to the end of your existing currencies and select 'New'
3. Select the currency you’d like to open an account in - there are a whopping 40+ currencies to choose from and you can open as many of these as you need.

Once that’s done, you’re ready to add money to your new currency account. Read more on how to do it here.

And don’t forget that you can open multiple currency accounts, available in all major currencies including GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, CAD and many, many more.

Get account details to receive money into your Wise Account

With Wise, you can also get local account details for 8+ currencies.

For UK account holders, this includes: GBP, EUR, USD, AED, AUD, BGN, CAD, CHF, CNY, CZK, DKK, HKD, HUF, ILS, JPY, NOK, NZD, PLN, SEK, SGD, TRY, UGX and ZAR.

This lets you receive money in those currencies for free, just like you have an actual account in that country. Remember though that Wise isn’t a bank, although it offers some similar features.

To get local account details, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Sign into your account online or in the Wise app
2. On the ‘home’ screen, select the ‘+’ button
3. Open an account in your chosen currency (one that has account details)
4. Select ‘Get account details’
5. Complete any further verification steps, if required.

You’ll then be able to top up your account, send money and crucially, give the account details to anyone who wants to send you money. You can find your account details for each currency by heading to 'Payments' under the heading 'Account details'

📚How to get local account details

Wise account features

Want to know what you can do with your Wise account? Here are just a few of the many fantastic features on offer:

• Hold, convert, send and receive 40+ currencies
• Convenient, secure international transfers for low fees*
• Dedicated service for sending large amounts
• Mid-market exchange rates (with no mark-up) on all currency conversions
• Get account details for 8+ currencies to receive fee-free global payments
• Spend like a local in 150+ countries with the Wise card
• Withdraw up to £200/month at overseas ATMs twice fee-free (operator fees may apply)
• Earn returns on GBP, EUR and USD with Wise Interest (capital at risk)
• Handy Wise app for managing your money on the move.

Capital at risk. Growth not guaranteed. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with registration number 839689. When facilitating access to Wise investment products, Wise Payments Ltd acts as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Wise Assets UK Ltd. Please be aware that we do not offer investment advice, and you may be liable for taxes on any earnings. If you’re uncertain, we urge you to seek professional advice. To find out more about the Funds, visit our website.

Your Wise account is waiting 🌍

There is even a whole suite of dedicated services for businesses, including the global Wise Business account.

Send, spend and receive your money across borders, with Wise

After reading this, you should have all the info you need on how to open a Wise account in the UK - and be ready to take the plunge.

If you need to send, receive, hold or exchange international payments, a Wise account is the ideal solution.

Wise lets you hold 40+ currencies all in one place, and switch between them on the go in the Wise app. You’ll also get local account details for up to 8+ currencies, to receive local payments from all over the world.

Whether you want to send money to a friend overseas, pay an international bill, or withdraw a foreign currency back to your local GBP account, you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate every time, with no markups and no surprises.

There’s no monthly fee to pay for personal accounts, and no minimum amount needed to open an account — just straightforward transparent fees* which makes it easy to see what you’re really paying whenever you transact.

📚Find out how Wise works

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Sources used:

All info taken from Wise.com

Sources last checked on date: 05-Feb-2025