How to switch current accounts: a step-by-step guide
Switching your current account could take as little as 7 working days, thanks to a free resource called the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). All your payees, Direct Debits, standing orders, and salary payments move across automatically, and the Current Account Switch Service Guarantee protects you if anything goes wrong.
Zopa isn’t part of the Current Account Switch Service yet, but will be joining later in 2026. If you want to switch to Zopa – or to or from any bank that isn’t part of it – you can still open an account, but you’ll need to move everything across yourself.
Can you switch your current account easily?
Yes – and it’s becoming more and more common, with over a million current account switches taking place in the UK every year. As long as both your new and old banks are part of the Current Account Switch Service, the process is almost entirely handled for you. You pick your new account, set a switch date, and your new bank takes it from there.
If you’re moving to or from a bank that isn’t part of it yet, you’ll need to manage the switch yourself, working through your payments at your own pace. It’s not as admin-heavy as it sounds – you can usually change your Direct Debits online, for example – but having a checklist to hand to work through could be helpful.
Is it free to switch current accounts?
Yes, whether your bank is part of Current Account Switch Service or not. There’s no charge to use the service, and no admin fees for switching manually either.
What is the Current Account Switch Service (CASS)?
The Current Account Switch Service is an industry-wide service designed to make switching bank accounts quick, simple, and reliable. It was set up to ease your admin – so instead of you contacting every company that pays into or takes money from your account, your new bank handles the whole transfer. Read more about the Current Account Switch service in this guide.
Is my bank part of the Current Account Switch Service?
A lot of UK banks and building societies are Current Account Switch Service participants. You can check the full list on the Current Account Switch Service website. If both your old and new banks are on it, you can go ahead and switch using the service.
What does the Current Account Switch Guarantee cover?
The Current Account Switch Guarantee is an industry-wide formal commitment. It promises that:
• Your switch will complete within 7 working days
• All Direct Debits and standing orders will transfer automatically
• Any payments made to your old account will be redirected to your new one
• If anything goes wrong, you’ll be refunded any interest or charges you incur as a direct result.
It’s a bit like having a safety net, and it’s one of the main reasons switching through the Current Account Switch Service is considered stress-free. The Guarantee applies to all participating banks, so whoever you’re moving to, the protection is the same.
What if my new bank isn’t part of the Current Account Switch Service?
You’ll handle the process manually. That means contacting each organisation that holds a Direct Debit or standing order in your name and giving them your new sort code and account number. You can usually do this online, so the process isn’t as lengthy as it might sound.
Remember that your payments won’t be redirected automatically, and you won’t be refunded interest or charges if anything goes wrong. Just be thorough about updating your details and keep your old account open and funded until you’re sure everything has moved across.
Will Zopa join the Current Account Switch Service in the future?
Yes – Zopa will be joining later in 2026, so watch this space and check back for updates.
How to switch your current account: step by step
The steps below cover switching to bank that participates in the Current Account Switch Service. If the bank you want to switch to isn’t part of it yet, they’ll probably have their own process outlined on their website. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to switch to Biscuit, Zopa’s award-winning current account.
Step 1 – Find the right new account
Before you do anything, spend some time comparing what’s out there. Try to look beyond the headline offer and consider the full picture: monthly fees, cashback on bills, interest on your balance, savings features, and how good the app is. This guide on how to compare current accounts is a useful starting point if you’re not sure what to weigh up.
Step 2 – Apply for your new account
Once you’ve chosen, apply directly with the new bank. You’ll typically need to provide proof of identity and address. Most applications are online or in-app and take a few minutes.
Step 3 – Request the switch and choose a date
Once your new account is open, ask your new bank to start the switch using the Current Account Switch Service. You can usually do this through the app or online. You’ll be asked to choose a switch date, which must be at least 7 working days in the future to give the changes time to run properly.
How long does it take to switch current accounts in the UK?
With the Current Account Switch Service, the full switch will complete within 7 working days. That covers the transfer of payees, Direct Debits, standing orders, and scheduled payments. You don’t need to do anything during this time.
Step 4 – What happens during the 7-day switching window
Transferred to your new account:
Regular incoming payments, including your salary
Regular outgoing payments, like Direct Debits, bills, and standing orders
Your saved payees
Any payments into your old account are forwarded to your new one and your old account is closed on the switch date. You’ll receive confirmation once the switch is complete.
Step 5 – Start using your new account
On switch day, your new account is active and your old one closes. You can start using your new card for everyday spending straight away.
One thing to do yourself, even if you’ve used the Current Account Switch Service to switch: update any saved card details with retailers, streaming services, or subscriptions you pay by card. These are linked to your card number rather than your bank account, so they won't redirect automatically and payments may fail once your old card is deactivated.
What transfers automatically when you switch?
Direct Debits and standing orders
With the Current Account Switch Service, all Direct Debits and standing orders move automatically. You don’t need to contact your energy provider, broadband supplier, gym, or anyone else – it’s handled as part of the switch.
If you’re switching to a bank that's not part of the Current Account Switch Service, like Zopa, you’ll update Direct Debits manually by giving each organisation your new account details – you can usually do this online. MoneyHelper has clear guidance on managing payments when switching.
Your salary and regular income
Most UK employers pay via BACS, which means your salary will follow you to your new account automatically. That said, it’s sensible to let your payroll team know your new details once the switch is done.
Your old account balance
Any money in your old account is transferred to your new account on the switch date. You don’t need to move it yourself beforehand.
What happens to your old account after switching?
Your old account is closed automatically on the switch date. The new bank handles the closure as part of the Current Account Switch Service process – you don’t need to call your old bank or fill in any forms.
The redirection service means payments sent to your old sort code and account number are forwarded on to your new account. So if a refund arrives months later to your old details, it’ll still reach you.
Will switching current accounts affect your credit score?
Switching itself doesn’t affect your credit score. What might have a small impact is the application for a new account, which can involve a credit check.
For most standard current accounts, this is a soft search – invisible to lenders and with no effect on your score. If your new bank runs a hard search, it will appear on your file, but a single hard search typically has a minimal and short-lived effect.
If you’re applying for an account with an overdraft facility, that application may involve a harder credit check – worth checking with the bank beforehand if you’re concerned.
If you open a Biscuit bank account, there’s no hard credit check – so it won’t affect your credit score at all. You can find out more in our guide, Does opening a bank account affect your credit score?
Can you switch a joint current account?
Yes, but both account holders need to agree to the switch. The same Current Account Switch Service process applies – you’ll apply for a joint account at the new bank, then request the switch. Both parties will typically need to go through the identity verification steps.
If only one person wants to move, or you’d prefer to switch to a sole account, you’ll need to close the joint account separately and open an individual one. The Current Account Switch Service works for the new account in the same way.
What if something goes wrong with the switch?
The Current Account Switch Guarantee is your safety net. If a Direct Debit misses, a payment doesn’t redirect correctly, or you’re charged because of an error, your new bank is required to put it right – including refunding any charges or interest you’ve paid.
Contact your new bank as soon as you notice a problem and keep a record of any charges. In practice, switches made using the Current Account Switch Service go smoothly the vast majority of the time, but knowing the guarantee exists is reassuring.
If you’re switching manually, keep your old account open and topped up for a few extra weeks. That way, if you forget to update a payment before it’s due, you won’t miss it or face a charge while you’re still working through the list.
How to choose which account to switch to
Switching is only worth doing if you’re moving somewhere better. Our pros and cons guide to switching current accounts is a good way to help you decide whether it's worth it for you.
Before committing, think about what you want from a current account – and be honest about what you’ll actually use.
A few things worth comparing:
Cashback on bills: some accounts pay you a percentage back on household Direct Debits, which can add up meaningfully over a year
Interest on your balance: a few accounts pay interest on money sitting in your current account, making your everyday money work a little harder
Monthly fees: check whether any fee is genuinely offset by the benefits you’ll actually use, rather than benefits that look good on paper
Linked savings: some accounts come with regular saver products or savings pots that help you build a habit alongside your day-to-day banking
App and customer service: if you bank mostly on your phone, a decent app makes a huge difference.
If you’re looking for an account with no monthly fee, cashback on eligible Direct Debits, and interest on your balance, Biscuit by Zopa is worth considering. Free to open, with no monthly fees, you can find everything you need at how to switch to Biscuit by Zopa.
