Au pair bank account problem

[citykat]

All well with new au pair except inability to open a bank account. As she lives in she has no utility bills. She has EU ID card and passport only- and a Spanish bank account. Does anyone have any bright ideas? It wasn't like this with previous au pairs so I think the rules must have changed.
Thanks for any help.

Yep. Just seems impossible now. I tried various different ways in August last year. Got nowhere. Cash all the way.

Prepaid debit card and cash top up, as previous poster suggested.

Though I think - I could be wrong - she will need an NI number as you should be reporting salary payments to HMRC even if no tax or NI due. Certainly I pay a payroll company to do so in parallel to the company payroll they run for me, so I assume it's a requirement.

I had no problem with Lloyds a few months ago, they just wanted to see her passport.

Au pairs get pocket money, not a salary.

The Halifax will open an account with an eu passport only. Have done with my previous two au pairs very easily.
You need to make an appointment and it worth going with them to explain!
Good luck

I have the same problem. I'm an au pair and I really need a bank account also because I want to do some casual work. Did you resolve ? Or someone know how can I do it?
I've tried every bank with my passport and the letter of my NI but they still need another proof of address - Please help me !!!

I have an au pair and it took a while for her to open an account but we got there eventually.

She used HSBC (where I am also a customer but I do not know if that was relevant as they asked no details from me). I wrote a letter confirming her weekly pocket money and included an original council tax bill (they would not accept the e-bill). She now has a basic bank account and debit card. It took around one month of going back and forth as they wanted my letter amended several times. This was last month (May 2017).

I know this is an old thread but in case anyone else is searching on this topic, our au pair eventually got one with Lloyds. Took a few weeks and needed passport/ID card and driving licence with home address.

Hi there, Go Henry is a payment card for kids and they are now offering their prepaid cards for Au Pairs. It's worked brilliantly for us!

www.gohenry.co.uk/aupair/?promotion=AF0200Z&utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=AuPair&utm_campaign=AF0200Z

She can easily open up a Basic bank account with HSBC. They will simply need proof of your ID and current council tax bill with your name on, along with a letter from you stating that she is an au pair living at your address, make sure you state the address and also contact information for yourself on the letter. Then her passport will suffice!

Hi again, just to mention, she didn't have to set up a bank account at all. I just got her a free card and I pay pocket money automatically from the goHenry app each week and then top up if I ask for more babysitting. She can book her travel online, top up her mobile and then I just add more funds if she pops to Waitrose for me. I don't have to hand over my card at all. It's been fab! I found the link at www.perfectaupair.co.uk but anyone can use the link, not just their customers. www.gohenry.co.uk/aupair/?promotion=AF0200Z&utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=AuPair&utm_campaign=AF0200Z

Hi again, just to mention, she didn't have to set up a bank account at all. I just got her a free card and I pay pocket money automatically from the goHenry app each week and then top up if I ask for more babysitting. She can book her travel online, top up her mobile and then I just add more funds if she pops to Waitrose for me. I don't have to hand over my card at all. It's been fab! I found the link at www.perfectaupair.co.uk but anyone can use the link, not just their customers. www.gohenry.co.uk/aupair/?promotion=AF0200Z&utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=AuPair&utm_campaign=AF0200Z

She can open an account with Monese. It costs GBP5 a month, but she can open it within minutes on her mobile phone. UK bank account with DD option.