+£220
30 mins
Santander
£200 Free Cash•30 mins
£200 Free Cash
+£220What is Santander?
Santander UK is one of Britain's largest high street banks, serving over 14 million customers. With a strong branch network and competitive savings rates, they're known for their 1|2|3 cashback rewards on household bills.
Launched
2010
Customers
14m+
Google Play
4.7 (354k)
★★★★★★
Key Terms
Profit
+£220
Credit checkHard check
Direct debits2 (Must be household direct debits*)
Pay-in£1,500
Free cash£200
Free cash arrives99 days
*: Household direct debits only – see the full list
Eligibility: Must not have held a Santander account on 1st January 2025, and not received a switch bonus previously
Step by Step Guide
Chris's overview
Optional·2 min read
This is a straightforward bank switch with a generous £200 bonus – one of the best on the market right now. The criteria is easy: pay in £1,500 (can be done on day one) and keep 2 household direct debits active. No card transactions required.
Go for the Everyday Current Account – it's completely free with no monthly fees. The one quirk is timing: Santander checks your account at day 60, then pays within 30 days – so you're looking at ~90 days total. Make sure your direct debits stay active the whole time.
Sign up via TopCashback using the link below to get an extra £20 on top, bringing your total to £220. Note: Santander sometimes have multiple offers on TopCashback, so search for "Santander Everyday Current Account" to find the right one.
Pre-switch checklist
Optional·1 min check
Before starting a switch, check the existing current account you're switching from:
Plus:
1
Apply for Santander Everyday
15 mins
- Use the button below to go to TopCashback to get an additional £20 cashback
- Search for 'Santander Everyday Current Account' – Santander sometimes have multiple offers, so make sure you pick the right one
- Click through to Santander and select the Everyday Current Account (free, no monthly fee)
- Select 'Yes' when asked if you want to switch your current account
- Enter your existing bank's sort code and account number to initiate CASS
2
Pay in £1,5009d
5 mins
Switch completes in 7 working days (9 calendar days).
- Pay in £1,500 (can be a salary or a transfer from another account)
Complete within 60 days of switch
Keep direct debits active
- Keep your 2 household direct debits active on the account
3
Receive £200 cash90d
5 mins
£200 paid within 90 days of switching
- Check your Santander account for the £200 credit
- Keep Santander as your main account, or switch it to your next bank switch offer
Santander checks criteria at day 60, then pays within 30 days – so expect your bonus around day 90.
4
Receive £20 cashback90d
5 mins
£20 cashback paid within 90 days of switching
- Your TopCashback bonus will become payable – withdraw this to your bank
Offer Complete
Done? Tick off each step above to see your total.
Santander Full Review
Completed the offer? Awesome! Here's our full review on why Santander could work well for you going forward.
Santander UK is one of Britain's largest high street banks, serving over 14 million customers. Originally operating as Abbey National, it was acquired by Santander Group in 2004 and rebranded in 2010. They offer current accounts, savings, mortgages, and credit cards through branches across the UK.
Is Santander safe?
Yes, Santander UK is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by both the PRA and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Your deposits are protected up to £120,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
As one of the UK's largest banks, Santander is subject to stringent regulatory oversight and capital requirements.
Who is Santander for?
Santander suits customers who want a traditional high street bank with an extensive branch network for in-person banking. Their 1|2|3 World cashback rewards can be valuable if you have regular household bills.
The Everyday Current Account is completely free with no monthly fees, making it ideal for those doing bank switches who don't need premium features.
Top 5 Santander Features
1
1|2|3 Cashback
Earn up to 3% cashback on household bills with their rewards accounts.
2
Branch Network
Over 400 UK branches for in-person banking when you need it.
3
Mobile Banking App
A well-rated app for managing accounts, payments, and tracking spending.
4
Linked Savings Rates
Competitive rates on savings accounts linked to your current account.
5
Current Account Switch Service
Easy switching with CASS – all your payments, Direct Debits, and salary move automatically within 7 working days.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✓Strong branch presence across the UK
- ✓Everyday Current Account is completely free
- ✓1|2|3 cashback on bills can be valuable
- ✓Good mobile app ratings
- ✓FSCS protected up to £120,000
Cons
- ✗Premium accounts have monthly fees
- ✗Cashback has caps and conditions
- ✗£200 bonus takes ~90 days to arrive
- ✗Eligibility restrictions on switching bonuses
Chris's Verdict
Santander is a solid choice if you value branch access alongside digital banking. The £200 switch bonus is generous – one of the best on the market – though the ~90 day wait is longer than some competitors.
Go for the Everyday Current Account (completely free) rather than the paid accounts. The criteria is straightforward: pay in £1,500 and keep 2 household Direct Debits active. No card transactions required, making this an easy one to tick off your list.
Savings accounts: if Santander's rates are competitive, keep your money there. If not, withdraw and move your savings elsewhere — the Easy Access Saver has no penalties for withdrawals.
