How to Switch UK Bank Accounts Without Losing Direct Debits (2026 Guide)
In the UK, you don’t need to close accounts, cancel Direct Debits, or chase anyone yourself. The free Current Account Switch Service (CASS) moves your balance, Direct Debits, standing orders and incoming payments to your new bank automatically within seven working days, and redirects anything still sent to your old account for at least three years afterwards. You simply open the new account, start the switch from inside it, and pick a date. The only thing CASS doesn’t move is card details stored with retailers or subscription services — those you update yourself.
Migrants switching banks in the UK often hold off for one reason: fear of missing a rent payment, a phone bill, or a council tax Direct Debit in the chaos of moving providers. That fear is largely outdated. Since 2013, the Current Account Switch Service has made switching current accounts a fully managed, guaranteed process — not something you have to coordinate by hand.
What Is the Current Account Switch Service (CASS)?
CASS is a free switching service backed by Pay.UK and used by more than 40 banks and building societies, covering the vast majority of UK current accounts. Rather than you contacting every organisation that pays you or takes payment from you, your new bank handles the entire move on your behalf once you ask it to.
What Actually Moves Automatically
- Your balance — any money left in your old account transfers to the new one
- Direct Debits and standing orders — both outgoing (rent, utilities, council tax) and incoming
- Salary and other regular incoming payments — your employer doesn’t need to be told separately
- Your old account — it is closed automatically once the switch completes, so there’s nothing left to cancel
What You Still Have to Do Yourself
CASS does not move stored card details. If you’ve saved your old debit card with a retailer, a streaming service, or an app like Amazon, Netflix, Uber or PayPal, those will keep trying to charge the old card until you update them manually. Make a short list of anything that bills your card directly, and update it once your new card arrives.
The Current Account Switch Guarantee
If anything goes wrong during the switch and you’re charged a fee or lose interest as a result, the Current Account Switch Guarantee requires your new bank to refund it — even if the error happened at your old bank. This guarantee only applies to a full switch (where the old account closes); it doesn’t cover a partial switch where you keep both accounts open.
Why This Matters Specifically for Migrants in the UK
Many migrants open their first UK account with whichever bank was easiest to access on arrival, often a traditional high street bank with a long branch queue and higher fees for international transfers. Once you’ve built some UK banking history, switching to a digital-first bank can mean easier account management, fee-free spending abroad, and a better app experience, without any of the admin risk that used to make people avoid it. If you haven’t compared account types before, see our guide on traditional vs digital banks for the trade-offs.
It’s also worth knowing that UK-regulated banks and building societies are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which protects your deposits up to £120,000 per person, per institution — so switching to a newer digital bank doesn’t mean less protection for your money, as long as it’s FSCS-covered.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
- Your new account already open and active (you switch into an account you’ve already set up)
- Your old account’s sort code and account number
- A list of any card-based subscriptions you’ll need to update manually
- Roughly ten minutes to complete the switch request inside your new bank’s app or website
Step-by-Step: How to Switch Without Losing Anything
Step 1: Choose and Open Your New Account
Compare a couple of options before you commit — fees, FX charges if you send money abroad, and app usability all vary. Our guide to bank accounts for international students and bank accounts for foreigners in the UK can help narrow it down if you haven’t already got a second account.
Step 2: Start the Switch From Inside the New Account
Once your new account is open, look for “Switch your bank account” in the app or website — this is usually in account settings or a dedicated switching section. You’ll be asked for your old bank’s details and to confirm you want a full CASS switch, not just a transfer of funds.
Step 3: Choose Your Switch Date
You can pick a date at least seven working days out. If your salary lands on a fixed date each month, choosing a switch date shortly after payday reduces the chance of a payment arriving mid-switch.
Step 4: Let CASS Do the Work
From here, your new bank manages the move. You’ll typically get updates as each stage completes: balance transferred, Direct Debits redirected, old account closed. You don’t need to contact your old bank, your landlord, or your utility providers.
Step 5: Update Card-Based Payments
Once your new debit card arrives, update it with any service that charges your card directly rather than via Direct Debit — this is the one part of the process that isn’t automatic.
Step 6: Check the First Full Statement
Review your first full statement on the new account to confirm every expected payment landed. If something’s missing or a charge slipped through the gap, that’s when the Switch Guarantee applies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting a switch before the new account is fully open and verified — this can delay the whole process
- Assuming card subscriptions move automatically — they don’t, and this is the most common thing people forget
- Choosing a partial switch by mistake — this leaves your old account open and isn’t covered by the Switch Guarantee
- Switching right before a large expected payment — give yourself a buffer either side of the seven-day window if the timing is tight
- Forgetting anything sent to the old sort code — CASS redirects misdirected payments to your new account for at least three years, but it’s still worth telling anyone who pays you irregularly, like a freelance client, about the change
Popular Switch Destinations for Migrants
There’s no single “best” bank — it depends on whether you want a full-service current account or a lean digital account for everyday spending. A few options come up often among migrants switching for the first time:
| Bank | Best For | Why Migrants Choose It |
|---|---|---|
| Monzo | Simple, fee-free everyday banking | Fast digital onboarding, no monthly fee, clear real-time spending notifications |
| Starling Bank | A full-service digital current account | No monthly fee, strong app budgeting tools, participates fully in CASS like a high street bank |
| Chase UK | Everyday spending with cashback | Round-the-clock digital support and no fees on card spending abroad |
Each of these participates in CASS, so switching to any of them follows exactly the same seven-day, fully guaranteed process described above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose any Direct Debits when I switch bank accounts?
No, not if you use a full switch through the Current Account Switch Service. Direct Debits and standing orders move automatically to your new account, and you’re not required to contact each provider yourself.
How long does switching bank accounts take in the UK?
A full CASS switch is guaranteed to complete within seven working days of your chosen switch date, though you can pick a later date if that suits you better.
What happens if someone sends money to my old account after I’ve switched?
CASS automatically redirects any payments sent to your old account or sort code to your new one for at least three years after the switch, so occasional or irregular payments are still covered.
Do I need a UK credit history to switch bank accounts?
No — switching an existing current account through CASS doesn’t require a credit check in the way opening a brand-new account sometimes does. However, your new bank may still run a standard identity and eligibility check when you first open the account you’re switching into.
Summary
- The Current Account Switch Service moves your balance, Direct Debits, standing orders and incoming payments automatically within seven working days
- Your old account is closed for you — there’s nothing to cancel manually
- Card-based subscriptions are the one thing you have to update yourself
- Misdirected payments are redirected to your new account for at least three years
- The Switch Guarantee refunds any fees or lost interest caused by a switching error
What to Do Next
If you’ve been putting off switching because you’re worried about losing a payment, the process is built specifically to prevent that. Open your new account, start the switch from inside it, and let CASS handle the rest.
Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate and referral links. We may earn a commission if you click a link and open an account, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services we genuinely believe in.
