Santander business account: fees, features and catches

Important: This guide provides general information, not personalised financial advice. Financial products, rates and eligibility rules can change, so check the provider’s current terms before applying. You can check a firm’s details on the FCA Register.

Quick answer

Santander’s Business Current Account – Classic gave 12 months’ free everyday banking to start-ups and switchers, then £9.99 a month, as of 3 October 2026. It’s for businesses with up to two directors, owners or partners.

Santander also offered six months of Xero free (offer, terms apply).

Who it’s for

  • Start-ups and switchers with one or two owners
  • Businesses that use or plan to use Xero

Who should skip it

These are general points to weigh up, not advice. You may want to look elsewhere if:

  • You have more than two directors, owners or partners
  • You want a permanently free account

Fees and offers

ItemDetail
Monthly fee£0 for 12 months (start-ups and switchers), then £9.99
Who can applyUp to 2 directors, owners or partners
Software offer6 months of Xero free (terms apply)
Branch accessYes

Figures as of 3 October 2026, from Santander’s business website.

The catch

£9.99 a month applies after the first year, and the Xero offer lasts six months.

Check Santander’s business account terms.

These go straight to each provider’s own website. They aren’t referral links and we don’t earn from them.

FAQs

How much is a Santander business account?

£9.99 a month after 12 months’ free everyday banking for start-ups and switchers, as of 3 October 2026.

Is a Santander business account FSCS protected?

Santander is a UK-authorised bank. Eligible deposits with a UK-authorised bank are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person, per banking licence (source: FSCS).

Get our weekly email

The Friday Finance Lowdown — five minutes of the money stuff worth knowing.

Free to join. See our privacy policy for how we handle your email address.

Written by Steven — Editor, The Finance Lowdown

Fact checked by Angela — Editorial Reviewer

Last updated: · Next review: