Switch bank account

The Current Account Switch Service is a free service that lets you switch a current account from one participating bank or building society to another – in 7 working days. It’s designed to be simple and stress-free, and the full switch option is backed by the Current Account Switch Guarantee. As part of the full switch, we transfer all your payment orders in and out (such as salary and Direct Debits) to your new Barclays account, and also set up a payment redirection for any credits or debits from your old account for a minimum of 3 years.

1. Open a current account with us, if you don't already have one
2. Give us a few details and choose a full or partial switch
3. We set it all up and tell you when it's done.                          

Current Account Switch Guarantee [PDF, 40KB]

Switching to Barclays [PDF, 2.1MB]

Partial Switch Guide [PDF, 117KB]

Full switch

With a full switch, we'll move all your regular credit and debit payments, such as Direct Debits, standing orders, bills and your salary, to your new Barclays account.

We’ll then close your old account for you and set up a payment redirect from your old account to your new Barclays one for a minimum of 3 years.

A full switch is covered by the Current Account Switch Guarantee. After you apply, you'll have 5 working days to visit one of our branches and confirm your identity so the switch can start. The process completes 7 working days after you’ve done this.

Partial switch

With a partial switch², you’ll need to contact your old bank for a list of your debit payments for the account you're switching from. Then, let us know which ones you’d like us to move to your Barclays account. We’ll switch these for you but we won't be able to switch any individual future-dated payments.

We’ll leave your old account open and you'll need to arrange the transfer of any credit payments (eg, your salary) to your new Barclays account. It takes longer than 7 working days and isn't covered by the Current Account Switching Guarantee.

Arranged Overdrafts

Bank accounts that include an overdraft can switch using the Current Account Switch Service. If you’d like to have an arranged overdraft with us, please speak to a member of staff before starting your switch. We’ll let you know if you’re eligible for an arranged overdraft – this depends on your lending criteria and is subject to status.

Funding limits

A funding limit is the maximum amount you'd like us to transfer to your old bank to clear an overdraft or overdrawn balance. You'll need to pay this amount into your Barclays account, or have an overdraft in place with us for the day of the switch.

We'll transfer an amount up to the funding limit you’ve chosen to your old account. You'll be able to change this amount up until 5pm on day six of the switch by visiting a branch. We'll need to agree to the amount and it needs to be enough to clear any overdrawn balance or overdraft so we can close your old account.

Rejected applications

Your switch could be rejected if the personal details you give us when opening your Barclays account don't match those held by your old bank.

If you think your details might be out of date, you’ll need to update them with your old bank. Also, if you apply for a full switch, you have five working days to visit one of our branches and confirm your identity. If you don't do this, the switch process can't go ahead.

If your switch is rejected, you can re-apply, but please check your details are up to date first.

Will you need a paper-based switch?

The quickest way to switch to us is online, using the full switch option. Some banks don’t offer a full switch. These include the Bank of England, Brown Shipley, Citibank NA, ING Bank NV, Secure Trust Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, Turkish Bank (UK) Ltd, EFG, Prepaid Financial Services and RBS.

If you have an account with one of those banks, you can print and fill in this form [PDF, 616KB]. Switching this way takes at least 12 working days.

Transferring your old bank balance to us using the paper-based switch 

If you transfer your balance when closing your old account, then you need to take your completed form to a Barclays branch, to help protect against online banking fraud. You’ll need to take either a valid driver’s licence or passport, and a bank statement or a utility bill that shows your address, dated within the last three months

If you want to transfer your Direct Debits and standing orders only, then you can send us your form by post. This form can also be used for switching currency accounts within the UK. You’ll need to include all relevant information (including any named people on the account) and sign it. We’ll return it to you if it’s incomplete and will only begin the switch once we’ve received the right information.

How paper-based switching works

We’ll arrange a transfer of your Direct Debits, standing orders, your remaining balance. If you ask us to, we’ll transfer your incoming and other outgoing payments from your old bank or building society to your new account. We’ll then contact your old bank to close your account with them.

In the meantime, you should keep enough money in your old account to cover any regular payments.

Managing other payments

If you’ve set up regular payments from your debit card, you’ll need to update your payment details to those on your new Barclays debit card. We can’t transfer debit card payments.