Starling — fees, features, catches and eligibility
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
Starling is an app-based UK bank with no monthly fees on its personal current account. Its own site showed no fees from Starling for spending or withdrawing abroad, 24/7 UK support, and an Easy Saver paying 4.00% AER (variable, including a 1.50% AER six-month bonus) on balances up to £25,000, as of 18 October 2026. Starling’s earlier 5.00% new-customer window (current accounts opened 1–14 October 2026) has ended.
It suits people happy to bank in an app. If you pay in a lot of cash, or want a branch, look at the catches first.
Who it’s for
- People who want a free, app-based current account with budgeting tools such as Spaces and Bills Manager
- Travellers who want to avoid fees from their bank on card spending abroad
- Sole traders and limited companies wanting a business account with no monthly fee
Who should avoid it
These are general points to weigh up, not advice. You may want to look elsewhere if:
- You need branch banking — Starling has no branches
- You deposit cash often — cash is paid in at the Post Office, and business deposits cost 0.7% (minimum £3)
- You want a large switch cash bonus — we didn’t see a Starling switch payment on 3 October 2026
Key features
- Personal current account with no monthly fees
- Spaces for goals and Bills Manager for regular bills
- Joint accounts and children’s debit cards, applied for in the app
- Spending and withdrawals abroad with no fees from Starling
- Business account with no monthly fee and no fees on UK payments in or out
- Full Current Account Switch Service (CASS) switching in seven working days
- 24/7 UK-based support by chat or phone
Eligibility
- Aged 18 or over and living in the UK
- Passport or photo ID to prove who you are
- Starling says a decision usually takes less than 24 hours
- Savings accounts need a Starling personal current account
Fees
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly fee (personal) | £0 |
| Card spending and cash abroad | No fees from Starling (ATM operators may charge) |
| Business account monthly fee | £0 |
| Business cash deposits | 0.7% at the Post Office (minimum £3) |
| Easy Saver | 4.00% AER / 3.92% gross variable up to £25,000, including a 1.50% AER fixed six-month bonus (Starling, 18 Oct 2026). After six months, or above £25,000, 2.50% AER variable |
| Fixed Saver | 4.20% AER/gross for one year, £2,000 minimum |
Figures as of 18 October 2026, taken from Starling’s own website. Rates are variable unless stated and can change.
The catch
The Easy Saver’s 4.00% AER includes a fixed 1.50% AER bonus for six months on balances up to £25,000. After that, or above £25,000, the standard rate applies (2.50% AER variable as of 18 October 2026). Starling’s 5.00% new-customer Easy Saver (current accounts opened 1–14 October 2026) has ended.
“No fees from us” abroad doesn’t stop a foreign ATM operator charging its own fee.
Check the latest terms on Starling’s site before you apply.
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FAQs
Does Starling charge a monthly fee?
No monthly fee on the personal current account or the standard business account, as of 3 October 2026.
Is my money protected with Starling?
Starling Bank Limited is a UK-authorised bank. Eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000 per person, per banking licence (source: FSCS).
Can I switch to Starling with the Current Account Switch Service?
Yes. Starling supports full CASS switches, completed in seven working days, with payments to your old account redirected for three years.
Does Starling have branches?
No. Starling is app-based, with 24/7 UK support by chat or phone.
Does Starling pay a switching bonus?
We didn’t see a cash switching offer on Starling’s site on 3 October 2026. See our switch bonus comparison for banks that do.
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