Could you re-check this information? When I arrived in Czech Republic, I tried to open a bank account at mBank in Brno (Nadrazi branch), and they said I would need the birth number. So, I just walked in on ČSOB, handed my passport and got an account with two debit cards But if you say that things have changed and I just need a passport, I'll probably think on moving to mBank.
I worked for Citi when I was in Brazil, and I still have an account with them there. It is cheap (free for me) and I can withdraw money here in any ATM, without any fee. I pay only a Brazilian tax on exchange, but it is far lower than what ČSOB charges me to withdraw from ATM's other than ČSOB/Volksbank. But Citi here is very expensive, even for the local market. Maybe because their target is the foreigners
JP - so when you had your Brazilian account, would they treat you like a "local" customer in CZK? Or did you have to open a new Czech Account (LOL sorry, couldn't resist!) there locally in addition to your Brazil account? You say their ATM fees are cheaper - but the other costs (monthly etc) are higher than CZ banks?
I still have my Brazilian account, and I never called/visited local Citibank I emailed them once, and was more like a prospect than a customer. So, I still use my Brazilian account (which is cheaper) when I need money from abroad* or when I already withdraw more than 3 times in a month * This means: my account in Brazil is in BRL, but when I withdraw money here I get CZK, which is then converted to BRL + taxes, and debited directly in my account there.
Yes, I could . I was not talking about mBank in this answer , so you are absolutely right, neither in Masarykova/Nadrazni branch in Brno, nor in any other branch of mBank, you can open an account without RČ.
RC = "Residential Card"?? Not sure how I missed this answer... but is GOOD information - thank you both!! Does anyone know if this can be done "online" (with mBank or CSOB) before I leave the USA? Thanks! B
Rodne Cislo = Birth number. Something like the Czech SSN (in the sense of ID number) It is quite fast to open an account, so, you don't need to do it by internet. I don't think this is even possible.