What is a Monese account?

A Monese account is a mobile money account that allows you to spend, send and save money right from your phone. You’ll get your multi-currency account details to pay and get paid like a local, plus a [contactless Mastercard debit card](https://monese.com/features/debit-card "Get a prepaid debit card from Monese") to use almost anywhere. Other handy [features](https://monese.com/features "Learn about the features on your Monese money account") include easy cash withdrawals, great exchange rates on foreign currency spending and real-time mobile notifications. We’re not a bank, so we don’t have branches and can’t currently offer traditional banking services like overdrafts and loans. But we do have a multilingual Support team and an instant account opening process that can make your life much easier.

Who can apply for a money account online?

Our founder Norris Koppel discovered just how difficult it can be to open a bank account when he moved to the UK as a foreign national. So, we set out to remove as many of these barriers as possible. You can create an online money account with Monese if you’re aged 18 or over and live in one of the 31 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). You don’t need a perfect credit score, the right utility bills or a fixed income to get started. You could be moving abroad to work, study or simply experience somewhere new. Maybe you can’t get a regular bank account or don’t want to. Whatever your situation, we’re here to help you save and spend money locally. And once you have a Monese personal account, you can open additional currency accounts, a [joint account](https://monese.com/products/joint-account "Open a Monese joint account online") and [business account](https://monese.com/business "Open a Monese business account online") for your UK-registered business easily too.

How do I create an online money account?

There’s no need to visit a branch or make time for a phone call. Our instant account opening process could have you signed up fast from the comfort of your home or on the go. Start by downloading our free mobile app from the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/monese/id1102793407 "Monese: A Banking Alternativ‪e‬ "), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.monese.monese.live "Monese - Mobile Money Account for UK & Europe") or [AppGallery](https://appgallery.huawei.com/#/app/C103759763 "Huawei"). Once it’s installed, all you need to open an online money account is: - An email address and phone number - An ID document, like your passport We’ll ask you for a short video selfie in the app to confirm your identity and protect you from fraud. Once that’s done, all that’s left is to [choose your Monese plan](https://monese.com/pricing "Our pricing") and tell us where to send your card!

Will I need proof of address to create an online money account?

Banks usually ask for various documents as proof of address, like local utility or council tax bills or a rental contract in your name. This can make opening an account tricky if you’ve only recently arrived in the UK and are living with relatives, for example. That’s why it’s good to know we won’t ask for any of these documents as proof of your address. When you apply for a money account online, all you’ll need is a photo of an ID document to make sure you are who you say you are. You’ll still need to verify a UK address to help us send your physical card to the right place. But it’s easy to do this by giving us access to your geolocation while using your Monese app.[ Read more about verifying your address](https://support.monese.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360017325100-How-do-I-verify-my-address-#:~:text=We'll%20ask%20you%20to,it%20to%20verify%20your%20address.&text=If%20you%20order%20a%20physical,address%20once%20you%20activate%20it. "How do I verify my address?").

How soon can I start using an online money account?

Once you’ve gone through our instant account opening process and verified your address, you’ll have full access to your Monese account. Having an [instant account](https://monese.com/products/instant-account "Instant account opening") like ours allows you to add, receive, send and withdraw your money instantly, whenever you need to. You can even create a virtual card and connect it to [Apple Pay](https://monese.com/features/apple-pay "Easier, faster, more secure payments") or [Google Pay](https://monese.com/features/google-pay "Monese with Google Pay™") for in-store and online payments while you wait for your physical card to arrive.

How do I add money to my Monese account?

Some banks need a minimum initial deposit to open an account. You can create an online money account for free with Monese then [add money](https://monese.com/features/add-funds "Adding money easily") when you’re ready. There are lots of different ways to add to your balance too. - Top-up from another debit card - Receive bank transfers using your account details - Transfer money between your Monese accounts - Get paid by your employer - Request money from friends - Top up with cash at more than 84,000 payment point locations across the UK and Europe with the [Post Office](https://www.postoffice.co.uk/ "Post Office: Homepage"), [PayPoint](https://paypoint.com/ "PayPoint: Homepage") or [Paysafecash](https://monese.com/features/paysafe "Add cash to your Monese account with Paysafecash") Ordering a physical card on our Starter plan? You may need to top up your account with enough money to cover the £4.95 card delivery fee.

Why create an online money account with Monese?

Millions of people like you are already using a Monese account. Our instant account opening process is part of why we’re one of the most popular financial services in Europe today. - __Fast__ – Create an online money account quickly straight from your phone - __Easy__ – No need for credit checks, documents to prove your address or a fixed income - __Great value__ – No minimum amount needed to open - __Safe__ – Protect your identity with a video selfie to verify the real you All that, plus a convenient mobile app for saving and sending money, and a contactless prepaid debit card to use worldwide. We want to make great financial services available to as many people as possible. [Read more about us](https://monese.com/about "About Monese").

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Create an online money account

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A Monese account with no delays

Our instant account opening process will have you set up with a mobile money account fast. No appointments, no phone calls, no credit checks, no minimum deposits.

Open an online money account easily

Unlike banks, we don’t ask for documents on your address or credit history. All you need is an email address, phone number and an ID document like your passport. It’s simple to create an online money account with Monese.

For anyone living in Europe

We offer financial freedom to foreign nationals, expats, freelancers and the unbanked. You can open an online money account with us if you live in any of the 31 countries in the European Economic Area.

Stay safe and secure

To help protect you from identity fraud when you join Monese, we’ll ask you for a short video selfie, so we know it’s really you. It’s just one of the ways that we keep your account secure.

Learn about our security

Meet Morgana

“I opened my Monese account from the comfort of my home — wearing pyjamas! I was mesmerised by how easy it was. I didn’t have to pay anything to open an account”.

Read Morgana's story

Meet Morgana

“I opened my Monese account from the comfort of my home — wearing pyjamas! I was mesmerised by how easy it was. I didn’t have to pay anything to open an account”.

Read Morgana's story

Account opening FAQs

Got a question about our instant account opening process? Check our answers to common questions below. We have more FAQs and a multilingual Support team too, if you need any extra help.

What is a Monese account?
Who can apply for a money account online?
How do I create an online money account?
Will I need proof of address to create an online money account?
How soon can I start using an online money account?
How do I add money to my Monese account?
Why create an online money account with Monese?

Create an online money account now

Don’t waste time visiting a branch in person when you can open an account online instead. Download our free app and open your instant Monese account today!