Millions of people emigrate from the UK each year, and a significant portion leave money behind — in bank accounts, National Savings & Investments (NS&I) products, pension pots, and uncashed Premium Bond prizes. Here's how to track it all down from wherever you are now.
Bank and Building Society Accounts
The official starting point for lost UK bank accounts is mylostaccount.org.uk — a free service run by UK Finance, the Building Societies Association, and NS&I. You can submit a form online from anywhere, and participating banks will search their records for accounts in your name.
The service covers most major UK banks and building societies. For smaller or specialist institutions not in the scheme, contact them directly.
NS&I and Premium Bonds
National Savings and Investments holds Premium Bonds, ISAs, and savings certificates. You can check for unclaimed Premium Bond prizes at nsandi.com using your holder's number or by searching with your name and date of birth. NS&I can also look up old savings certificates and Income Bonds.
Workplace Pensions
If you worked in the UK and contributed to a workplace pension before emigrating, you may have a pension pot waiting. Options for tracing it:
- Pension Tracing Service (gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details) — free government service to find the contact details of workplace pension schemes. You give the employer name; they find the scheme.
- Contact former UK employers directly
- Check any paperwork from your UK employment period for pension provider details
UK pension pots can generally be accessed from age 55 (rising to 57 in 2028), regardless of where you live. Some schemes allow you to transfer the pension to your country of residence's pension system — this is known as a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) transfer.
State Pension
If you worked in the UK and paid National Insurance contributions, you may be entitled to a UK State Pension even as a non-resident. You need at least 10 qualifying years of NI contributions for any pension, and 35 years for the full pension. You can check your NI record at gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record (requires a Government Gateway account).
UK State Pension is payable abroad, though it may or may not be uprated annually depending on which country you live in — the UK has reciprocal agreements with some countries but not others.
Reclaim Fund — Dormant Accounts
Very long-dormant UK bank accounts (typically 15+ years) may have been transferred to the Reclaim Fund under the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Act. However, you can still reclaim directly from the original bank — the original bank remains responsible for repaying dormant account holders even after transferring to the Reclaim Fund. Use mylostaccount.org.uk to start the process.
Uncashed Cheques and Payroll
If you left the UK suddenly or didn't receive final payroll, you may have uncashed UK cheques. Contact your former employer's payroll department. For uncashed HMRC tax refund cheques, contact HMRC directly at hmrc.gov.uk or by phone — they can reissue or transfer the refund.
How to Verify Your Identity From Abroad
UK institutions typically accept certified copies of your passport and proof of address. Documents can be certified by:
- A notary public in your country of residence (with apostille for larger transactions)
- A solicitor or chartered accountant
- The British High Commission or Embassy
UK Unclaimed Money Guide
Complete guide to finding unclaimed money in the United Kingdom.
View UK Unclaimed Money Guide →Frequently Asked Questions About Unclaimed Money for UK Emigrants
What types of UK money can be left behind when emigrating?
Common types of unclaimed assets left behind by UK emigrants include dormant bank and building society accounts, forgotten NS&I savings bonds or premium bonds, occupational pension entitlements from former employers, unclaimed life insurance payouts, dividend payments from UK shares, uncashed cheques from HMRC or other government bodies, and deposits from utility companies or landlords. The UK's My Lost Account service (mylostaccount.org.uk) searches all participating banks, building societies, and NS&I simultaneously and is a good starting point.
Can I claim a UK pension from overseas?
Yes. The UK State Pension and workplace pensions can be claimed from anywhere in the world. For the State Pension, you must have reached the UK State Pension age and have at least 10 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions. You can apply through the International Pension Centre or online via the UK government's pension portal. For workplace (occupational) pensions, contact your former employer's HR department to identify the pension scheme, then contact the scheme provider directly. The Pension Tracing Service (gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details) helps you find lost workplace pensions for free.
How do I claim unused NS&I Premium Bonds from overseas?
Premium Bond prizes and the underlying investment can be claimed regardless of where you live. If you still hold your Bond numbers, you can check for prizes at nsandi.com. If you do not have your Bond numbers, NS&I has a tracing service — contact them directly with your name, date of birth, and any previous UK addresses you held the bonds under. NS&I can send payment by international bank transfer or by cheque in GBP. There is no deadline for claiming Premium Bond prizes or the underlying investment.
Is there a tax implication for claiming UK assets from abroad?
Potentially, yes. You may be liable for tax in your country of residence on UK income or gains you receive, including interest, pension income, or investment returns. In some cases, double taxation treaties between the UK and your country of residence may reduce or eliminate UK withholding tax on payments made to you. For pension income, there may be specific treaty provisions. You should consult a tax adviser familiar with both UK and your country of residence's tax laws before making claims, particularly for pension or investment assets.