欧盟成员国居民可在任意成员国银行开户 且享受“后悔期”

欧盟委员会计划推出一项新政，允许所有成员国的居民在任意成员国的银行开设基础账户；同时，欧盟委员会还希望各家银行允许储户在比较收费细则后能在规定的时间内免费更换开户行。新政将要求银行为储户提供基础服务收费细则及过去12个月收取的各项费用明细，储户对比不同银行的收费规定后可在15天内在本国各银行间办理转户，30天内可在欧盟成员国各银行间免费办理转户。目前，英国已有政策允许储户在7个工作日内免费在本国银行间办理转户。据估计，欧盟各国15岁以上的消费者中有5800万没有付款账户。欧盟希望通过此举减少没有银行账户的人数，同时激励银行提供更好的服务并降低收费。

European residents will have the right to open a basic bank account in any country of the EU and compare the fees charged by providers, under new plans.

The European Commission is outlining proposals to make it easier for customers to compare charges and switch to another bank.

At present, many consumers find it difficult to open an account in another EU country where they are not resident.

The Commission also hopes to reduce the numbers who do not have accounts.

It estimates that about 58 million consumers across the EU, aged over 15, do not have a payment account. The levels vary hugely across different states of the EU.

Only France, Belgium and Italy have laws in place that ensure people have access to a basic bank account in line with the proposals.

The plans would mean anyone could open an account, even if they have been made bankrupt or unemployed, with at least one provider. This would allow them to perform basic operations such as to receive their salary, pensions and benefits, or to pay utility bills.

The Commission also wants banks to send information to customers that lists the fees for common services, and the charges that have been levied in the previous 12 months.

It also plans to set down rules that ensure an account is switched for free within 15 days between providers in the same country. The UK is already going further, with a speedier seven working-day switching plan.

The Commission wants to see free switching between providers in different EU countries to take place within 30 days.

"By making it easier to compare fees and change bank accounts, we also hope to see better offers from banks and lower costs," said EU Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier.