Switching your current account in the UK is simpler than it looks and can earn you some tasty rewards. Banks can pay you up to £200 just for switching.
What you'll learn in this post:
- How bank bonuses work and why they exist.
- How to find the latest offers and never miss a bonus.
- The difference between 'hard' and 'soft' switching.
- How to track your switch properly to maximise your eligibility.
Let's cover the basics first.
What is a bank switch bonus?
A bank bonus is a reward that is offered by a bank when a customer opens a new account, or registers for a specific banking product.
The incentives typically include cash payments, gift cards and sometimes a boosted interest rate for a connected savings account.
Why do banks give cash to new users?
The banking industry is very competitive, and they all want to capture as much of the market as they possibly can. As a result, they sometimes direct their marketing budget towards giving incentives to new users.
Not only is it a very effective way for banks to get new customers (and surprisingly cost effective, too), but the users that join tend to develop a very positive opinion of the bank. Everyone's a winner!
Maximising Switching Bonuses
How To Find The Latest Switching Deals
To make everything as simple as possible for our readers, we keep a regularly updated page that lists the current active switch offers.
We usually have new offers listed on our site the same day they go live.
30 Pence
Thoughts, stories and ideas.
👆 Click here to see our up to date list of all available bank switch offers.
All the bank offers listed follow this format:
- Bonus amount (exact cash value you can expect).
- Key requirements (minimum pay-in, number of direct debits, debit card spend).
- Expiry date and eligibility exclusions (offers sometimes exclude existing customers).
- How bonus is paid (timing after switch, account credit or cashback).
Meeting Eligibility Criteria for Bonuses
After you've found an offer that you'd like to apply for, make sure you read the official product document and terms on the banks own website.
You should always do your own research when registering for any financial product. Our site does not constitute financial advice.
For most of the offers, you must use the official Current Account Switch Service when you sign up, which will close your old bank account after it completes.
You may also have to pay in a minimum amount of cash within 30–60 days and have active direct debits on your old account before you initiate the switch.
Every offer has slightly different terms, so make sure you double check!
If your switch requires an active direct debit, you might choose to create one using our direct debit service 👇
30 Pence
Thoughts, stories and ideas.
Should You 'Hard Switch' or 'Soft Switch'?
If you're happy with your existing bank and you're worried about switching everything to a new bank, you can opt to do a 'soft switch'.
In the bank switching world, this is when you create a 'spare' bank account elsewhere for the purpose of switching to a bank that is offering a bonus.
That way you can still complete an official switch, without disrupting your existing banking setup.
A 'hard switch' on the other hand is where you transfer your main everyday current account to the new bank. Even though the CASS is super safe, some people don't like the idea of completely terminating their existing bank just to claim an offer.
It's up to you which option you choose. It's simply a matter of personal preference.
If you want to do a soft switch, it's best to use a bank that doesn't usually offer bank bonuses. That way, you won't miss out on future offers by being an existing customer.
Keeping A Record Of Your Bank Switches
This is not required, but we highly recommend you to create a spreadsheet or written document that details your bank switch movements.
You should make a record of:
- The bank you're moving to, and where you're switching from.
- The date you initiated the switch.
- The date the switch is expected to complete.
- A checklist of the eligibility criteria to ensure you meet them.
- The date you receive the money.
- The date you closed the account / switched elsewhere (if applicable).
We recommend that you do this for 2 important reasons.
Firstly, banks have missed payments for bank switching in past years due to system errors. By having a detailed log, you can better strengthen your claim if you need to contact their customer service for help.
Secondly, banks might offer a new bonus in 1 or 2 years from your initial sign up date, but they usually have a stipulation like:
"Can't have received switch cash from us since September 2025".
If you have a detailed log of your switch activities, you will have a better idea of what future offers you may or may not be eligible for.
Is it worth switching bank accounts?
You'll have to make your own mind up before you initiate a switch. But, lot's of people do find it to be worth it (as long as the new bank has a strong value proposition).
Advantages of Bank Switching
You may want to move accounts to save money (if you're paying account fees), get better benefits (like a higher linked saver interest rate), or maybe the new bank just has a better mobile app.
These are all valid reasons to switch on their own, but getting a bank switch offer usually sweetens the deal a little more.
You can sometimes claim switching incentives and one-off bonuses worth up to around £200 when you meet simple conditions, such as setting up a salary credit or maintaining a minimum balance.
These offers can offset short-term hassle and make switching financially worthwhile.
What Is the Current Account Switch Service?
The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) is a system that transfers your current account from one UK bank or building society to another.
It moves your balance, sets up standing orders and direct debits on the new account, and redirects any incoming payments for 36 months where needed.
You choose a switch date and authorise the new bank to start the process. The switch normally completes within seven calendar days (the 7-day switch). Your old account is closed automatically once the transfer finishes, using a formal current account closure instruction issued by the banks.
The service includes the Current Account Switch Guarantee which promises to cover any errors or losses caused by the switch.
For example, if a payment goes missing or is delayed, the banks must rectify it and put your money back as if the switch had not caused the problem.
How the Bank Switching Process Works
Switching moves your standing orders, direct debits and inbound payments to the new account and protects you with a seven‑day guarantee.
You pick a switch date, complete a formal switch agreement, and your new bank handles most of the administration.
Step-By-Step Guide to Switching
Apply for the new current account and provide ID and proof of address as requested. The new bank will ask you to sign a Current Account Switch Agreement and a Current Account Closure Instruction.
Agree a switch date with your new bank. The switch date must be a weekday (not a Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday) and normally at least seven working days after you open the new account.
Your new bank uses the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) to transfer direct debits, standing orders, incoming payments and the account balance.
How Long Does It Take to Switch Bank Accounts?
A standard switch completes within seven working days from the agreed switch date once the new account is open.
The clock starts when both you and the new bank have completed the paperwork and set a switch date.
Some parts may take slightly longer. For example, promotional switch bonuses can take 30–90 days to appear, depending on the bank’s terms.
Preparing for Your Switch
Check your regular payments, confirm identity documents, and note any interest or overdraft arrangements that affect your costs. Gather recent statements and a list of active direct debits so you can meet switching conditions and avoid missed payments.
Other Common Questions
This section explains how the formal switch process works, what payments move, how long a full switch takes, how incentives and eligibility typically work, and practical steps you should take to avoid missed payments or charges.
How does the Current Account Switch Service work, and what does it cover?
The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) moves your incoming and outgoing payments from your old account to your new account and closes the old account for you. It guarantees redirected payments and refunds for any charges or interest caused by a switching error.
You agree a switch date with your new bank at least seven working days after your account is opened. On that date your balance transfers, standing orders and Direct Debits are redirected, and the old account is closed.
CASS also sends automatic notifications to originators when payments are redirected so payees can update records. The service covers most personal current-account payments but does not switch savings ISAs or move your transaction history.
Which banks offer the best switch incentives, and what are the eligibility rules?
Banks publish their switching offers and terms; typical incentives are cash bonuses ranging from around £50 up to several hundred pounds.
You must meet each bank’s specific requirements. Common requirements are usually: be a new customer, set up and use the new account, pay in a minimum amount, and complete the switch using CASS.
Check eligibility carefully. Some offers exclude previous customers, require a minimum number of monthly transactions, or demand you keep the account open for a set period.
Read the provider’s full terms before applying to avoid missing a qualifying step.
Will switching my current account affect my credit score or future borrowing?
Opening a new account may involve a credit check and can show on your file, which might impact your credit score temporarily.
The effect is usually small and tends to fade within months, but multiple hard checks in a short period can have a larger impact.
Closing an old account can sometimes help your credit mix or reduce average account age; outcomes vary by individual credit history. If you have concerns about lending decisions, ask the new bank whether they will perform a hard or soft credit search.
What happens to my direct debits, standing orders, and incoming payments when I switch?
Direct Debits and standing orders set up on your old account get moved to your new account automatically under CASS.
Incoming payments to your old account are redirected to your new account and the service notifies the original payers to update their records.
If you have third-party permissions (open banking or PSD2 consents) you must re-authorise these with the new bank unless the provider supports transferring permissions.
Also, any one-off payments already sent to the old account will be redirected, but refunds issued to your old debit card should return to your new account; contact your new bank if a refund is missing.
How long does a full current account switch take, and what can cause delays?
A full switch typically completes on the agreed date, which must be at least seven working days after account opening. The window excludes weekends and bank holidays, so plan accordingly.
Delays can occur if identity or “know your customer” checks are incomplete, if details you provide don’t match your old bank’s records, or if either institution encounters operational issues.
Cancelling within seven working days before the switch is possible; after that point the switch normally proceeds as planned.
What steps should I take to avoid missed payments or charges during a switch?
Set the switch date at least seven working days after your new account is open and verify the date avoids weekends and bank holidays.
Check and update your contact and personal details with both banks before switching to prevent mismatches.
Inform any payees or payers if you prefer they not receive automatic notifications, and re-authorise any third-party permissions with the new bank.
Keep a sufficient balance in your old and new accounts around the switch date to cover pending payments.
