Who can get a basic bank account

A basic bank account is designed for people who cannot get a standard current account, often because of a poor credit history, an IVA, a debt management plan, a debt relief order or bankruptcy. You do not have to pass a credit check to be offered one, and the nine largest banks and building societies in the UK have agreed to offer them with no monthly fees¹.

You will usually need to be at least 16, or over 18 for some banks, and a UK resident¹. Basic bank accounts do not come with an overdraft, and they must be fee-free for standard operations when provided in sterling³. You can have wages, benefits and tax credits paid in, pay bills by Direct Debit and use a debit card, but you cannot borrow on the account.

If you are turned down, the bank should tell you why, and you may be able to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you believe you were treated unfairly⁴. This page sets out who qualifies, what ID you need, how to apply and where to get help.

Basic bank accounts are for people who cannot get a standard account

Basic bank accounts are normally available if you do not qualify for a bank's standard current account¹. That includes people with a bad credit history, an IVA, a debt management plan, a debt relief order, or who have been declared bankrupt¹. The account is designed for people who may not be able to open a standard current account, for example because of a low credit score⁷.

They are not available to businesses, though charities may find the industry body UK Finance's guide on how to open a charity bank account helpful⁸. Some banks provide a basic bank account for business banking if you do not qualify for their business current account, but not all banks offer it and some may charge fees².

The nine largest banks and building societies in the UK have agreed to offer basic bank accounts with no monthly fees to people who have no bank account, who have an account elsewhere but want to change provider, or who have an account but are in financial difficulty and want their bank to open a new, functional account for them². The scheme rules say a firm must offer a basic bank account only if it offers one and the customer meets its eligibility criteria⁹.

Age and UK residency rules

You will need to be at least 16 to open a basic bank account, or over 18 for some banks¹. From age 16, you can open a bank account without asking your parents; under 16, you need a parent or guardian's permission¹⁰. Lloyds, for example, says its Basic Account is available only to personal customers aged over 18 who are resident in the UK and are either an EU national or have permission to stay in the UK for at least 12 months¹¹. Ulster Bank's Foundation account also requires you to be 18 or over and a UK resident¹².

Residency rules vary by provider. Some accounts are open to UK residents aged 16 or over, while others require you to be a UK resident or resident in the UK for tax purposes¹³. For a standard current account, you typically need to be aged 18 or over and a UK resident¹⁵.

If you are not a UK national, you will usually need to show that you have permission to stay in the UK. The exact requirement depends on the bank. For people arriving from Ukraine under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, the government's guidance says guests can apply for an account in person at a branch, over the phone, online, or using a mobile app¹⁶.

ID you need to open one, including visas for non-UK nationals

To open a bank account, you will need evidence of who you are, for example a passport or driving licence¹⁸. Most banks will ask for a driving licence or passport to prove your identity, or a photo of these if you are applying online, often with a selfie¹. You will usually need ID to prove your identity, like a driving licence, passport, recent bills or official documents¹⁵.

You usually have to show the bank two separate documents that prove who you are, for example your passport, and where you live, for example a recent bill¹³. If you cannot provide these, a letter from a responsible person such as a GP, teacher, social worker or probation officer may be accepted¹³.

Other documents that may be accepted include letters from the DWP, HMRC, JobCentre+, your local council, GP, minister of religion, social landlord, armed services officer, warden, care home manager, employer, college or training provider¹.

No credit history does not rule you out

You do not have to pass a credit check to be offered a basic bank account, but banks use a credit check to check your identity¹. You do not need to pass a credit check to get a basic bank account¹⁹. Some accounts are specifically open to people with little or no credit history in the UK, such as Bank of Ireland UK's Basic Cash Account¹⁷.

A 2012 study found that only two banks, Barclays and the Co-operative Bank, had a basic bank account available to people regardless of their credit record²⁰. The position may have changed since then, but the principle remains that a poor credit history should not by itself stop you getting a basic account.

If you have a bad credit rating and have been refused bank accounts, you could ask to open a basic bank account or see if you can open an account with a credit union²¹. Credit unions are financial co-operatives that offer savings and borrowing to their members, and they may be more flexible about credit history²².

How to apply: online, by app, by phone or in person

You will often need to apply for one of the bank's other accounts first, such as their standard current account¹. Depending on the account you have chosen, you can usually apply online, using an app, over the phone, or in person¹⁵. You can complete an application form online, in person or by phone¹⁰.

To open a bank account you usually have to fill in an application form in a branch, online, or sometimes over the phone, and provide proof of identity including your full name, date of birth and address¹⁴. Guests under the Homes for Ukraine scheme can apply in person at a bank or building society branch, though they may need to make an appointment, over the phone, online, or using a mobile app¹⁶.

If you are applying for a basic account because you have been refused a standard one, the bank may ask you to apply for its standard current account first and then offer you the basic account if you do not qualify¹.

If you are turned down or have a problem: complaints and help

If you cannot open a basic bank account, the bank should tell you why you have been turned down²³. The reason is given unless the bank suspects fraud or money laundering¹. Reasons for refusal include not agreeing to a credit check, failing the ID check, suspected unlawful or fraudulent use, or being threatening, abusive or violent towards staff¹. If the reason is not given, or the refusal seems unfair, a complaint can be made to the Financial Ombudsman Service²⁴.

If the bank does not tell you why, or you feel you have been turned down unfairly, you may be able to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service⁴. The institution must also tell you how to complain to the institution and the Financial Ombudsman Service and provide the relevant contact details³.

The Financial Ombudsman Service is free and independent. It can look at complaints about banks and building societies, including refusals of basic bank accounts. In the first quarter of 2026/27, the ombudsman opened 8,945 complaints about current accounts²⁴.

If you are struggling with debt or need help managing your money, free and impartial advice is available from MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, National Debtline and StepChange¹.

Is money in a basic bank account protected by the FSCS?

Yes, if your money is held with a UK branch of an authorised bank or building society. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme can only protect money held by UK branches of authorised banks and building societies²⁵. The scheme protects up to £120,000 per eligible person, per bank or building society⁶.

If you have money in multiple accounts with multiple banks that are part of the same banking group and share a banking licence, they are treated as one bank, and the £120,000 limit applies across all of them⁶. Joint accounts are also eligible for FSCS protection up to the same limit of £120,000 per eligible person²⁵.

You can check whether your money is protected using the FSCS protection checker²⁵. If you cannot find your bank or building society, the FSCS has guidance on what to do²⁵.