Best international business bank accounts

Having a business bank account has a number of benefits, including helping you to keep personal and business finances separate.

But if your business is planning to expand globally or you work with clients overseas, it’s important to pick an account that allows you to carry out international transactions at competitive rates.

Revolut Business Account (Basic)

8.7 Great

Account fee	£10 per month
Arranged overdraft
Requires credit check

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£100 bonus when you add at least £0.01 to a new Revolut Business by 31 December 2026.

Open a business account with Revolut and you can send, hold and receive funds in more than 25 currencies. There are 4 plans to choose from. Each plan has its own monthly limits for fee-free foreign currency exchange and all the paid-for plans offer no-fee international transfers - again, up to a monthly limit in most cases. Further benefits include the option to connect to accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks and Sage, and the ability to create and track invoices. It’s quick and easy to sign up for an account via the Revolut app.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Hold 25+ currencies
  • Employee cards
  • Integrate with accounting tools
  • Easy to apply
  • Freeze card if lost or stolen
  • Safe and secure
  • Free purchases

  Cons

  • Basic account does not include many free transactions
  • Only incorporated companies are eligible
  • All ATM withdrawals incur a charge
  • Can't deposit cash or cheques into your account
  • Direct debits only available for EUR accounts

• More details

  Accounting integrations	Clear Books, FreeAgent, KashFlow, QuickBooks, Sage, Xero, Coconut, Multiple providers

Account fee	£10 per month
Arranged overdraft
Requires credit check

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Airwallex Multi-Currency Business Account

8.3 Great

Account fee	Free £0/month if you deposit £10k+ per month or hold a £10k+ balance.
Arranged overdraft
Requires credit check

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The Airwallex global account can be opened in minutes via the app on both Android and iOS. The account enables you to make payments in more than 60 currencies and most international transfers arrive the same day. You can open local currency accounts in more than 60 countries, plus create cards to spend in multiple currencies globally with no foreign transaction fees. There are no monthly account fees and you’ll have a dedicated account manager to support you with any queries. The account can be synced with your accounting system and it's easy to track expenses.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Send to 120+ countries
  • Competitive FX rates
  • No monthly account fees
  • Collect, hold & send money in several currencies
  • No transaction fees for card payments

  Cons

  • Not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme
  • Transfers can only be made to your Airwallex wallet or to a business bank account

• More details

  Accounting integrations	Xero

Account fee	Free £0/month if you deposit £10k+ per month or hold a £10k+ balance.
Arranged overdraft
Requires credit check

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How does an international account differ from a standard business account?

An international business bank account is an account that lets you hold, transfer and receive funds across the globe and in multiple currencies. It can help you quickly and easily process international payments and currency exchange.

Thanks to the rise of challenger banks, businesses now have an increasing number of international business accounts to choose from, with many offering competitive exchange rates and low fees.

By contrast, standard business bank accounts are primarily designed for everyday business banking in the UK. Many standard business bank accounts won’t permit foreign transactions and international transfers – or, if they do, you’ll be charged high fees and/or exchange rates.

Be aware that even if some standard accounts advertise no international transaction fees, they may instead apply a markup to the exchange rate used for conversion.

What features should you look for?

When comparing international business accounts, it’s worth looking for the following features:

• Competitive exchange rates. Look for an account with competitive exchange rates to save your business money on international transfers.
• Low account fees. Similarly, you want an account with low conversion fees – this could be a fixed fee or a percentage of the transfer amount. Also check for monthly account fees and any other transaction charges.
• Low card fees. A good international business account will come with a debit card (and potentially a credit card) that lets you spend overseas fee-free.
• Access to multiple currencies. If you’re dealing with lots of foreign currencies at one time, you’ll want a multi-currency account, rather than one that only deals in euros or US dollars. Some accounts let you hold and exchange more than 40 currencies, for instance.
• Flexible account management and support. Look for an account that offers multiple ways to bank and contact customer support, such as online, through the app and over the phone. Also check whether support is available 24/7 or only during certain hours.
• Advanced security features. Check whether the account offers advanced security measures such as two-factor authentication to protect your financial transactions.
• FCA regulation. Check the provider is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means it must follow financial safety rules.

Pros and cons of international business accounts

Bottom line

If your business regularly deals with companies or clients overseas or has an international branch, an international business bank account can enable you to send overseas payments at a much cheaper rate. What’s more, many providers let you hold multiple currencies in the one account which can often be managed via an app, saving you both time and money.

However, keep in mind that some accounts come with high monthly fees, while others will charge a transaction fee if you reach a specified monthly transfer limit. This makes it crucial to do your research and compare accounts to find the most suitable option for your business. Don’t forget to check eligibility criteria too as this can vary between providers.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I choose an international business bank account?

  The key is to shop around and consider factors such as the number of currencies the account holds, monthly account fees, whether there are limits on fee-free foreign transactions, and eligibility criteria. Think about how your business operates and the volume of international transactions it carries out to help you find the right account.

• Are international business bank accounts safe?

  When comparing accounts, check whether the provider is a UK-licensed bank as this means your money will be protected up to £120,000 under the FSCS. If it’s not, check whether the provider is regulated by the FCA as an institution that deals in electronic money. If it is, it must hold all client funds in a “segregated account” at a licensed UK bank.

• Do I need a business bank account?

  If you’re a sole trader, you don’t legally need a business bank account. However, opening one can help you to keep your personal and business finances separate which can be beneficial when it comes to filing your tax return. If you’re a limited company, you must open a business bank account as your company is legally separate from you. If you regularly transact overseas, it’s worth looking for an international business bank account.

Written by

Rachel Wait

Writer

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Rachel Wait is a freelance journalist and has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade, covering everything from insurance to mortgages. She has written for a range of personal finance websites and national newspapers, including The Observer, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun and the Evening Standard. Rachel is a keen baker in her spare time. See full bio