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No idea where you'll be living but all I did was take NIF (tax code), I/D, recent paperwork (utility bill) from overseas address and went into Activo bank office and after ten mins walked out with account and working ATM card, just do an interweb search for an office address.

Hi @Strontium

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Was this something you did recently?

@Strontium

Also, I don't speak Portuguese. Would that be a problem?

@PaulDukey

opened account in 2024 at their Leiria office, interactive display board inside to book appointment which has PT/EN for you to select either, input your phone number, get put in virtual queue, go sit in the square outside and have a coffee, text message when it's your turn. They escort you to ATM for you to test card n change it's password.  Go back outside log on and xfer a little bit of money to new account, check it gone through, go to ATM get balance etc. to make sure it all works.

@Strontium

They didn't ask for proof of employment or income?  Also, are you a non-resident? 

From what I understand, it has become increasingly difficult for a US citizen to open a bank account. This is mostly due to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) that requires financial institutions to report information on accounts held by US persons.  Many banks prefer not to deal with the extra reporting overhead, not to mention the legal and financial threat by the US government, and refuse to provide banking services to American citizens.

As a side note, does anyone know what kind of income proof is required for a retired person, who has an income only from investments (dividends and interest)?

@Strontium
They didn't ask for proof of employment or income? Also, are you a non-resident?
From what I understand, it has become increasingly difficult for a US citizen to open a bank account. This is mostly due to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) that requires financial institutions to report information on accounts held by US persons. Many banks prefer not to deal with the extra reporting overhead, not to mention the legal and financial threat by the US government, and refuse to provide banking services to American citizens.

As a side note, does anyone know what kind of income proof is required for a retired person, who has an income only from investments (dividends and interest)? - @omida

The FACTA Problems are a reality. I think it is even worse in Germany. A proof of income might not be required if you don't expect an overdraft facility or a bank loan or a credit card.

@StrontiumThey didn't ask for proof of employment or income? Also, are you a non-resident? From what I understand, it has become increasingly difficult for a US citizen to open a bank account. This is mostly due to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) that requires financial institutions to report information on accounts held by US persons. Many banks prefer not to deal with the extra reporting overhead, not to mention the legal and financial threat by the US government, and refuse to provide banking services to American citizens.As a side note, does anyone know what kind of income proof is required for a retired person, who has an income only from investments (dividends and interest)? - @omida

Presently I'm not an EU resident nor a US of A citizen nor working and didn't require any income related paperwork just something to show address to open Activo account.    I have since opened another fee free account at a different bank as a back up incase I get stuck with the amount of money transferred in a day.   I have closed any US of A accounts I ever had and avoid any US of A banks partly due to Helms-Burton Act and the US of A claiming to own all the US of A dollars in the world.