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Banking with no monthly fees

Our Personal Current Account is free to open, free to use, and packed with smart tools to help you manage your money better.

What is a Personal Current Account?

Our Personal Current Account gives you a full UK bank account with your own sort code and account number. It comes with a contactless Mastercard debit card and a powerful mobile app.

Unlike traditional banks, there are no monthly fees, no transaction fees in the UK, and no foreign transaction fees when you use your card abroad.

You can open one in minutes from your phone — no paperwork, no branch visits, no waiting around.

STARLING
•••• •••• •••• 4823
CARD HOLDER
YOUR NAME
STARLING
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STARLING
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STARLING
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STARLING
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Why our current account is different

No monthly fees, ever

Unlike premium accounts from traditional banks, you won't pay a penny to hold or use your Starling account. No monthly fees, no transaction charges within the UK, no minimum balance requirement. We believe banking should be free, simple and fair.

Award-winning mobile app

Voted Best British Bank 4 years running. Our app is fast, intuitive and does everything you'd expect a bank to do, plus a lot more. From instant notifications to AI-powered spending insights, it's like having a financial advisor in your pocket.

Instant notifications

The moment money moves in or out of your account, you'll know. Real-time push notifications for every transaction help you spot fraud instantly and stay in control of your spending.

Fee-free abroad

Spend anywhere in the world with Mastercard's real wholesale exchange rate. No foreign transaction fees, no markups, no surprises. Free ATM withdrawals in Europe, and £300 per 30 days free elsewhere.

Freeze your card instantly

Lost your card? Tap once in the app to freeze it. Find it in your coat pocket an hour later? Unfreeze it just as quickly. No more emergency phone calls to cancel and wait 5 days for a replacement.

FSCS protected

Your money is protected up to £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Starling is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

How to open your account

STARLING
Step 1
Download the app and tap "Apply for account". Takes 30 seconds.
STARLING
Step 2
Verify your identity with a photo of your ID and a short selfie video.
STARLING
Step 3
Enter your address and a few personal details. Most approvals happen in minutes.
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Step 4
Your card arrives in 3-5 working days. Start using Apple Pay immediately.

Personal Account FAQs

How long does it take to open an account?
You can apply in as little as 10 minutes. Most applications are approved within the same day, and your card will arrive within 3-5 working days. You can use Apple Pay or Google Pay from the moment your account is approved.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. We don't charge monthly account fees, transaction fees within the UK, or foreign transaction fees. The only charges we have are for CHAPS transfers (£20) and international SWIFT transfers (£5.50 + correspondent fees).
Is my money safe?
Absolutely. We're authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Your deposits up to £85,000 are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Do I need to switch my current bank?
Not at all. You can keep your existing accounts. But if you want to switch, we support the Current Account Switch Service — we'll move everything (direct debits, standing orders, incoming payments) for you in 7 working days, guaranteed.
What's the minimum balance?
None. You can have as little as £0 in your account with no penalty or fee.
Can I get an overdraft?
Yes, arranged overdrafts up to £5,000 are available subject to eligibility and credit checks. The representative APR is 15% EAR (variable).

Ready when you are.

Open your Starling account in minutes.

Apply now
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