What it means for you

For our UK-resident customers, there is no change to your everyday banking services.

For our EEA-resident customers, our aim is to continue to provide you with the same service as we do today, where we are permitted to do so. Should anything need to change, we will let you know, ensuring you have as much notice as possible.

More information is available at:

https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/consumer-guide-retail-banking-european-union-after-brexit

As our business is largely UK-focused, the impact on NatWest is not as significant as it is for many other banks.

We’ve already made changes to the way we’re organised to ensure we can continue to serve customers from 1 January 2021. 

Our Ulster Bank Ireland DAC business will continue to provide services for our customers that live, invest and do business in the Republic of Ireland.

We continue to work closely with the UK Government to help us understand what the future UK-EU relationship means for the Financial Services sector.

Yes. Your money will continue to be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. More information is available at https://www.fscs.org.uk/check-your-money-is-protected/

Yes. There should be no change to how you make and receive payments to EU countries. And, of course, you can continue to access your bank account through the mobile app to conduct your everyday banking needs.

Yes. It will still be easy to use your bank card in ATMs across Europe, in much the same way as you can use it today when you go on holiday to non-EU countries, such as America or Australia. And, of course, you can continue to access your bank account through the mobile app to conduct your everyday banking needs.

No, all changes have been implemented successfully since March 2019 and we don’t anticipate any issues with your Euro payments.

However, the Funds Transfer Regulation (FTR) requires that all SEPA Direct Debits to or from a non-EU/EEA country include the payer’s address. To avoid collections being rejected, SEPA Direct Debit Originators must ensure that all payers’ address details are populated on their collection files with effect from 1 January 2021.

If a SEPA Direct Debit is not collected after the transition period ends, payers should contact the originator to ascertain the reason and if necessary, arrange an alternative method of payment.

We are a UK focused bank, so for the majority of customers, our services and products will remain the same. 

Yes. You should check the website for the latest terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy that you have with your NatWest current account. And you’ll be covered for all insured health conditions.

The UK Government has launched its free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which you should apply for once your existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) expires and before you travel. Please note that your travel insurance would not replace the GHIC or EHIC on a like-for-like basis in relation to treatment that you are already aware you will need (eg ongoing kidney dialysis) and you should talk to our insurer about any pre-existing medical conditions before you travel.

If you would like more details please call our Travel Insurance team via Membership Services who can talk to you about the cover you have in place.

Yes, existing EHICs will remain valid until their expiry in the large majority of European countries. For up to date information please visit www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021 where you will find the latest details.

For customers who don’t currently have an EHIC or need to renew their EHIC, this can be done by applying for the new ‘UK Global Health Insurance Card’. You can do this at https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/

Like the EHIC, the GHIC is free to everyone who is eligible. You will need one card per person.

Yes, Travel Delay and Trip Abandonment cover will apply in line with the current terms and conditions.

Your policy won’t provide cover if you booked trips or (opened an account / purchased travel insurance) after any travel delays were known about.

You are not covered if you miss your departure due to leaving insufficient time to travel to your departure point.  For example, if your planned route would usually take two hours and it is publicised in the media, or you are advised by your travel provider, that the same journey is taking four hours, you need to allow the extra time to travel.

It’s important you make yourself aware of any potential delays to your planned route in the days before your trip.

Our Guidance:

As there is the potential for travel delays, please plan accordingly. We advise customers to:

• Allow plenty of time to get to and travel through railway stations, airports or ports when travelling to the EU and check with your travel provider to see their latest advice on how early you need to arrive at your departure point.
• Ensure that any travel documentation such as passports have adequate time remaining on them. You can check at passport checker
• You will also only be allowed inside the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period unless you apply for a visa. There is more information here
• You should sign up for specific country advice via the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

You can check whether you need to renew you passport at passport checker. If your passport was issued prior to 1 June 2011 or has less than six months remaining on it, then it will need to be renewed to travel to the EU after 1 January 2021.

Yes, you can continue to use your cards to make payments or access ATMs as usual. There’s no change to the way you are charged for payments or withdrawals in other currencies.

Yes, you can continue to make payments as usual.

Yes. However, we may need to make short term changes to our travel money service so you should try to order at least five days before collection to ensure the currency you need is available.

We’ve no plans to change the currency exchange services we offer or to increase the charges that relate to these services. The exchange rate at the particular time you choose to make the transaction may affect the value of your transaction

In most cases, there will be no change to the products and services you use. However, if you have a packaged account, you’ll be unable to use any of the associated benefits whilst living overseas.

The time it takes for you to receive new credit or debit cards and any other correspondence will continue to depend on international and local postal services.