How to Switch Bank Account in the UK: The Full Guide

Learning how to switch bank account in the UK is easier than most people expect, because you do not do the hard part yourself. The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) does it for you, moves your payments across, and backs the whole thing with a guarantee. You apply to the new bank, pick a date, and seven working days later your salary, direct debits and standing orders are all running from the new account. This guide explains exactly how it works, what moves, what to check first, and how to avoid the handful of things that trip people up.

The quick answer

You open an account with the bank you want to move to, tell them you want a full switch using the Current Account Switch Service, and give them your old account details plus a switch date. On that date the new bank pulls across your balance and all your payments, and your old account is closed automatically. It takes seven working days, it is free, and you are covered if anything goes wrong.

What the Current Account Switch Service actually does

CASS is a free, industry-wide service that almost every UK bank and building society has signed up to. When you ask for a full switch, it handles four things for you:

• Moves all your incoming payments, such as your salary, across to the new account.
• Moves all your outgoing payments, meaning your direct debits and standing orders.
• Transfers your remaining balance on the switch date.
• Closes your old account so you are not left running two.

For three years after the switch, any payment that still arrives at or is requested from your old account is automatically redirected to the new one. So if you forget to tell an employer or a subscription about the change, the money still reaches you.

The service reported a seven-day completion rate above 99% in its most recent quarterly figures, so a switch that runs to time is the overwhelming norm rather than the exception.

The 7-day guarantee explained

The switch runs on a fixed timetable. You choose the date you want it to complete, and everything must be live by the end of that working day. Weekends and bank holidays do not count, so a switch started on a Friday completes the following Friday at the earliest.

The Current Account Switch Guarantee is the part that protects you. If a payment goes wrong during or after the switch, and you are charged interest or a fee as a result, the bank refunds it. That covers the awkward scenarios people worry about, such as a direct debit being paid late or a payment bouncing while the accounts hand over.

How to switch, step by step

1. Pick your new account. Compare current accounts on the features that matter to you: monthly fee, savings rate, spending abroad and any switch bonus. Many app-based banks such as Monzo, Starling and Chase let you apply in minutes.
2. Apply and choose a full switch. During the application, say you want to switch an existing account using the Current Account Switch Service. Give your old sort code and account number.
3. Choose your switch date. Pick a date at least seven working days ahead. Avoid the days around payday if you can, so your salary lands cleanly on one side or the other.
4. Leave the old account funded. Keep enough in the old account to cover any direct debits due before the switch date, so nothing bounces in the handover.
5. Let it run. You do not need to cancel direct debits or tell anyone your new details. CASS moves them and redirects stragglers for three years.

What to check before you switch

A little housekeeping stops the rare problem before it starts.

• Overdraft. If you use an arranged overdraft, check the new bank will offer a similar limit. A switch does not guarantee the same overdraft, and you will need to clear or arrange to carry any balance.
• Regular saver and linked products. Some savings accounts or perks are tied to keeping the current account open. Confirm what you lose before closing.
• Standing orders you set up yourself. These move automatically, but it is worth a final glance at your list so you recognise everything that transfers.
• Cheques and pending payments. Let any in-flight cheques clear first.

Does switching hurt your credit score?

Switching itself is not a black mark. Opening a new current account usually involves a credit check that leaves a footprint on your file, and closing the old account removes an older account from your history, which can nudge your score briefly. For most people the effect is small and short-lived. If you are about to apply for a mortgage, it is sensible to switch well before, not during, the application.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to switch bank account in the UK? Seven working days from the switch date you choose. You set the completion date during the application, and the Current Account Switch Service guarantees everything is moved by the end of that day.

Do my direct debits and standing orders move automatically? Yes. A full switch through the Current Account Switch Service moves all your direct debits and standing orders, plus your incoming payments like your salary, without you contacting anyone.

Is there a fee to switch bank account? No. The Current Account Switch Service is free, and any switch bonus offered by the new bank is paid on top once you meet its conditions.

What happens to payments sent to my old account after I switch? For three years, any payment arriving at or requested from your closed account is automatically redirected to your new account, and the sender is told your new details.

Will switching affect my credit score? Only slightly and briefly. Opening the new account triggers a credit check and closing the old one shortens that part of your history. The impact is usually minor, but avoid switching in the middle of a mortgage application.

Can I keep my old account open instead of closing it? Yes, but then you are not using the full switch. A partial switch (moving some payments while keeping both accounts) is possible at some banks, though it does not come with the same guarantee or the automatic redirection.

Where to go next

Once you have picked a destination, it helps to compare the app-based banks head to head. Our guides on Monzo vs Starling and Chase vs Monzo break down fees, savings and travel perks, and the best banking apps in the UK roundup covers the wider field. For the current cash incentives, see our monthly best bank switching offers list.

You can confirm the full list of participating banks and the guarantee wording on the official Current Account Switch Service site.