Nationwide — fees, features, catches and eligibility
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Quick answer
Will Nationwide pay you to switch? Nationwide offered £175 (switch offer checked on the bank’s own site, 27 September 2026) on FlexDirect, FlexAccount or FlexPlus: complete a full switch moving two active Direct Debits, then pay in £1,000 and make one debit card payment within 31 days. It’s a building society with a large branch network.
Who it’s for — and who should avoid it
Who it’s for
- People who want a building society with branches
- Switchers with two active Direct Debits who can pay in £1,000
- Anyone whose first eligible switch to Nationwide since 2021 this would be
- FlexPlus users who want £0 card spending abroad (monthly fee applies)
Who should avoid it
- Anyone switching from Nationwide or Virgin Money
- People who have already had an eligible Nationwide switch since 2021
- Frequent travellers on FlexAccount (2.99% non-sterling)
- Anyone whose switch won’t complete within 28 days
Key features
- £175 switch offer (until withdrawn; from 21 May 2026)
- Paid within 10 days of meeting requirements
- FlexAccount: £0 monthly fee
- FlexPlus, Student, Graduate and FlexOne: £0 issuer extra on card spending abroad in our checks
- Large branch network
Eligibility
- Full CASS switch from a non-Nationwide account, moving at least 2 active Direct Debits; switch completes within 28 days
- Within 31 days: pay in £1,000 and make 1 debit card payment
- Not switching from Nationwide or Virgin Money
- First eligible sole switch since 2021 (and first eligible joint switch since 2021)
Fees
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| FlexAccount | £0 a month |
| FlexPlus | Monthly fee applies |
| Card spending abroad (FlexAccount) | 2.99% non-sterling; £29.90 on £1,000 (30 Aug 2026) |
| Switch bonus | £175 (27 Sep 2026) |
Where these facts come from: our switch bonus pages (bank sites checked 27 September 2026), current accounts page (12 September 2026) and travel money page (30 August 2026).
The catch
The bonus is limited to your first eligible sole (and first joint) switch since 2021. The FlexAccount carries a 2.99% non-sterling fee; FlexPlus avoids it but has a monthly fee. FSCS covers £120,000 per person at Nationwide Building Society.
FAQs
How much does Nationwide pay to switch?
£175 when we checked on 27 September 2026, on FlexDirect, FlexAccount or FlexPlus.
Can I get the Nationwide bonus twice?
See Eligibility above.
Is Nationwide covered by the FSCS?
Yes. Eligible deposits at Nationwide Building Society are covered up to £120,000 per person.
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