Hi all,
Can you apply for one for one to transfer current UK credit card balances? Could do with one of the 0 percent interest deals.

Cheers

I don't understand the question, can you please rephrase with more details of what you are trying to achieve.

Sorry. I moved to CH about a year ago from GB. I had lived in GB all my life until then. At the moment I have an HSBC and a Virgin Credit card. I would like to transfer the balance on each of these to a new credit card. One that offers 0 percent interest. For example Barclaycard. Do I have to live in the UK to apply for a UK credit card or can I apply for one whilst living here in CH? Hope this is a little clearer.

Cheers

You have to live in UK (or lie about it and provide a UK address).

If you tell your current banks you have moved they will probably say this is in breach of their terms and conditions and demand repayment of the full amount so tread carefully.

Lloyds, MBNA, Barclays and AMEX were all fine with us moving to Switzerland and send the bills to our Swiss address. I really only use them for UK Internet shopping these days or when we travel. HSBC recently offered us a credit card when we openend a savings account with them.

But I think to open a new account with a 0% balance transfer deal you would have to have a UK address because of the increased risk.

Interesting because Egg cancelled mine as soon as they found out.

Ah well, need a plan B. Dont suppose the Swiss do a 0 percent card!! The two I am with do know I have moved. They did mention about repayment but as it was not an option and I repay my interest plus a bit more, they both then let me carry on as normal.

Lloyds have just informed me that when my current Mastercard expires, they will not send a new one to an overseas address for security reasons. Am trying to arrange to collect it from my local branch but not sure if they will allow this.

Amex, Lloyds and Nationwide are fine about sending statements etc. abroad, however, Nationwide will not let you apply for a new credit card using a foreign address.

Lloyds had sent our debit and credit cards by registed post (signed for at delivery or collected at the post office with ID) for the last 6 years now. The pin numbers remain the same as before.
HTH

Nationwide were happy to send a replacement credit card to my Swiss address. Just came in the regular post.

But this isn't the problem- the problem is that for a NEW card you do need to give a UK address.

HSBC International and Lloyds Tsb Offshore definitely offer new Sterling credit cards to Swiss residents when you open a new current acount with them. You need a fair bit a paperwork and certified documents though.

Slightly of topic but I spoke to my bank this morning re. a mortgage for a UK house. Explained I was living abroad but they didnt appear bothered. Quite happy to use my Swiss income. Assume they were confident they could repossess the house if anything went wrong. HSBC btw.

As long as you have a UK passport, UK banks will lend to you for UK property. HSBC was the only bank that would lend to us without UK passports. Lloyds International said they could lend to us, but when we proceeded with the application we already had too much debt. We are stuck with Northern Rock and want to re-mortage

Actually, that's not true in my experience. I informed my credit card banks in the UK when I moved to Switzerland and they were perfectly cool about it.

Even if you have a U.K. address they still want proof of you living there.

Irish passport also suffices.

My original post clearly said MASTERCARD and not DEBITCARD.

Thanks for pointing that out. I feel much better now.

we have credit and debit cards with Barclays. no problem when we moved here, the just send the bills each month and we have had new cards as well