Part 12 of 31 Things Americans Should Think About Before Moving Abroad: Banking as a U.S. Citizen Living Abroad

Think Twice Before Closing Your U.S. Checking Account When You Move Abroad

I’m Darien, an American who moved to the Netherlands, and this is Day 12 of 31 Things Americans Should Consider Before Moving Abroad.

Let’s Talk About Your U.S. Bank Account

How do you deposit or cash a check if you're living outside the United States?

Here’s the TL;DR: Don’t close your U.S. checking account unless you’re absolutely sure you won’t need it. And if your current bank has high fees, figure out a better option before you move. Because once you’re living abroad, opening a new U.S. account gets… complicated.

Why You’ll Probably Still Need A U.S. Bank Account After Moving Abroad

If you’re young and moving abroad, you might think,“Eh, I’ll just go local with my banking.” And that might work—for a while.

But if you’re mid-career or older, odds are you’ll still have financial ties to the U.S. that require a stateside account.

Here are just a few examples where keeping a U.S. checking account can save you serious headaches:

✅ Loan payments (student loans, mortgages)

✅ Insurance premiums (for example, life insurance)

✅ Credit card bills (if you keep a U.S. credit card—which many expats do)

✅ Taxes (either paying or receiving refunds—many Americans abroad struggle to deposit refund checks)

✅ Subscriptions (some U.S. services require a U.S. billing address)

✅ Sending and receiving money (from American friends, family, or clients)

So What Are Your Options?

Some U.S. credit unions and banks cater to Americans living abroad, including:

(This list is not exhaustive, could change at any time, and is not sponsored.) These often offer free checking with no minimum balance and are more accustomed to dealing with international members.

But—big catch—not everyone qualifies.

Some require government or military affiliation.Most require a U.S. mailing address, which—surprise!—is a whole separate issue I’ve covered in Part 3.

One More Thing… Currency Exchange

If you’re living abroad, you’re probably dealing with multiple currencies. So how do you move money between your U.S. and local accounts without getting gouged on fees?

That’s a topic for another day—but trust me, it matters.

The takeaway?

You probably want to keep a U.S. bank account open when you move abroad. Choose one with low fees, online access, and flexibility. Your future self will thank you.

Did you find this helpful? Are you planning a move abroad? Work with me to make your move from a place of clarity and organization.