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Bank card/account for 17 year old, not my child

5 replies

jetadore · 14/01/2023 22:18

A nephew of mine is studying in the UK from abroad. He’s 17 so can’t open a proper bank account yet. I’m trying to work out a way to get him an account/credit/debit card that he can use to tide him over till he’s 18 and opens his own UK account. Using his card/account from his native country will incur fees.

Can he open a children’s account without a parent in this country? I don’t think I can add him as an additional cardholder on my credit card account, can I? Also I don’t think he can have a prepaid credit card till his 18 can he? I have a credit card that I never use that I could give him, but I’d likely have to authorise online purchases through the app for him which would be a pain, there’s the risk of him losing it, and would it be considered fraud by the bank?

What other options are there? There’s no risk I wouldn’t be reimbursed for his spending.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 14/01/2023 22:23

You can get bank accounts with a card from age 11 in the UK

ChiefDogsbody · 14/01/2023 22:26

Santander have bank accounts for 17 year olds, try looking at that?

Focalpoint · 14/01/2023 22:36

Where is is home country? Could his parent open a Revolut account, link an u18 account that would give him a card he could use in the UK?

dementedpixie · 14/01/2023 22:38

He doesn't need a child's account as he can get a regular current account with card from age 11

jetadore · 14/01/2023 22:45

Ah ok, easier than I thought! I didn’t realise you could open an account without a parent while under 18.

OP posts:
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