Accounts for Non-Resident and Remote Founders
Providers that will onboard a company whose owners live somewhere else: an Estonian OÜ run from Lisbon, a Dutch BV with founders abroad, a UK limited company owned from outside the country. High street banks usually decline that profile, so most options here hold payment or e-money licences, and we call them what they are rather than banks. Judge them on the registration countries and owner nationalities they genuinely accept, the proof of business activity demanded, whether the IBAN is local or Lithuanian, incoming payment limits, and how long onboarding really takes once documents are in.
- 1
Licensed Estonian bank serving non-residents and e-residents with digital business accounts. Requires a genuine connection to Estonia but does not force local residency.
- 2
Global EMI licensed in Lithuania and the UK, ranked the leading independent EMI in Lithuania. Accepts company registrations from 100+ countries, ideal for truly international founders.
- 3
A multi-licensed Electronic Money Institution regulated in the UK, Luxembourg, UAE, and Hong Kong, offering multi-currency business accounts to non-resident founders from 190+ countries with local IBANs in 50+ currencies.
- 4
Finnish-regulated Electronic Money Institution offering dedicated Euro IBANs for international companies, including non-residents. Designed for B2B businesses with tiered pricing based on risk profile and annual volume.
- 5
Lithuanian Electronic Money Institution offering dedicated IBAN business accounts to EU and EEA legal entities, including non-residents. Serves high-volume e-commerce and regulated industries with direct card acquiring.
- 6
A UK-based FCA-regulated Electronic Money Institution serving founders and businesses in 150+ countries, with no account opening fees and support for USD and EUR accounts.
- 7
Digital business banking platform operated by an Electronic Money Institution licensed in Lithuania. Offers dedicated IBANs, SEPA payments, corporate cards, and payment processing for non-resident founders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a traditional bank and the EMI providers listed here?
Most providers in this category are Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) rather than traditional banks. They hold e-money licenses to offer IBANs, corporate cards, and payment processing, which makes them more likely to accept non-resident founders than high street banks.
Can I open a business account if my company is registered in one country but I live in another?
Yes, many of these providers are designed specifically for this profile. Some options accept company registrations from over 100 to 190 countries, making them ideal for international founders running remote operations.
Do these providers offer local bank details or just virtual accounts?
It depends on the provider you choose. Some options offer local IBANs or multi-currency accounts, including specific support for EUR, USD, and SEPA payments.
Are there options that specialize in specific regions or industries?
You'll find a range of specializations, such as providers focusing on the EU and EEA, others catering to high-volume e-commerce, and some that serve regulated industries. Some also require a genuine connection to a specific country like Estonia to qualify.